| January 19, 2004 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 06:50 PM |
Over the past 30 years, only two players have worn No. 12 for the Bills: Jim Kelly and Joe Ferguson. Those two names are also atop most of Buffalo's all-time career passing lists. Ferguson was selected in the third round of the 1973 draft. Named as the starter by the season opener, Ferguson threw only 164 passes during his first year because head coach Lou Saban's strategy was to have the rookie hand the ball off to O.J. Simpson. The plan worked well considering Simpson set an NFL rushing record with 2,003 yards. Ferguson remained the starting quarterback through the Saban days, the Jim Ringo days, and was still there when Chuck Knox became Buffalo's head coach in '78. He developed into something much more than just a guy who could hand off. 4 times in his career he threw for 20 or more TDs in a season. In 1983, in the twilight of his career, he outduelled a brash new rookie starting his very first game in Miami, a guy named Dan Marino. Ferguson set Bills single game records for attempts (55), completions (38) and passing yards (419) in a 38-35 overtime win. It was the Bills 1st victory in the Orange Bowl since 1966.
Buffalo Sports Hall Of Fame - Buzzard’s Hall Of Fame - Where are they now - Career stats
