Why haven't Buffalo Bills progressed? Here's one reason

December 31, 2012 - 9:03 AM

By Tim Graham

With fans sensitive to the Buffalo Bills' quarterback deficiency and refusal to draft a legitimate prospect, it should be noted half the starting quarterbacks in the playoffs are rookies or sophomores.

Four of the six NFC quarterbacks qualify: rookies Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks), Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins) and second-year quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) and Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings).

In the AFC, rookie Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts) and second-year pro Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) made it.

For the record, here are Buffalo's draft choices through the third round each of the past two years:

2012

* 10th overall: cornerback Stephon Gilmore
* 41st overall: tackle Cordy Glenn
* 69th overall: receiver T.J. Graham

2011

* 3rd overall: defensive tackle Marcell Dareus
* 34th overall: cornerback Aaron Williams
* 68th overall: linebacker Kelvin Sheppard

Search Press Coverage

About Press Coverage

Tim Graham

Tim Graham returned to The Buffalo News in 2011 after covering the NFL for three years at ESPN and for one year at the Palm Beach Post. Before that, the Cleveland native spent seven seasons on the Buffalo Sabres beat for The News and was president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.

@ByTimGraham | tgraham@buffnews.com

Mark Gaughan

Buffalo native Mark Gaughan started working at The News in 1980 and has been covering the Bills exclusively since 1992. He is president of the Pro Football Writers of America, and he is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee.

@gggaughan | mgaughan@buffnews.com

Jay Skurski

Jay Skurski joined The News in January 2009. The Lewiston native attended St. Francis High School before graduating from the University of South Florida. He writes a weekly Fantasy column in addition to his beat writing duties.

@JaySkurski | jskurski@buffnews.com

Press Coverage