1988 Buffalo Bills Preview

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are mired in 4 straight losing seasons, and have had very little success since winning back to back AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. However, the Bills seem to have the put worst behind them, as General Manager Bill Polian appears to be stockpiling an extremely talented team. Only winning 4 games combined in 1984, and 1985 led to the necessary signing of 1983 draft pick University of Miami quarterback Jim Kelly, who has had a decent start to his NFL career after a short career in the USFL. Hitting rock-bottom also led to the team selecting defensive end Bruce Smith with the first pick of the 1985 draft. Last year, they were part of the 3 team “Eric Dickerson” trade that brought them young star linebacker Cornelius Bennett. Bills’ top 1987 draft picks also had great rookie seasons in Nate Odomes and Shane Conlon. This season, the team selected Thurman Thomas, running back from Oklahoma State with the 40th pick in the NFL Draft.

Marv Levy is returning for his 3rd season as Buffalo Bills head coach, and 1st full season with NFLPA talent. He was hired mid-stream in 1986, and the NFL Strike cancelled one game, and saw replacement players for three weeks.


1988 Buffalo Bills Schedule

Week 1 - September 4, 1988 - 1:00PM
Minnesota Vikings 35-6 (1-0)
Rich Stadium

Week 2 - September 11, 1988 - 1:00PM
Miami Dolphins 16-28 (1-1)
Rich Stadium

Week 3 - September 18, 1988 - 1:00PM
@ New England Patriots
Sullivan Stadium

Week 4 - September 25, 1988 - 1:00PM
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rich Stadium

Week 5 - October 2, 1988 - 1:00PM
@ Chicago Bears
Soldier Field

Week 6 - October 9, 1988 - 1:00PM
Indianapolis Colts
Rich Stadium

Week 7 - October 17, 1988 (MNF) - 9:00PM
@ New York Jets
The Meadowlands

Week 8 - October 23, 1988 - 1:00PM
New England Patriots
Rich Stadium

Week 9 - October 30, 1988 - 1:00PM
Green Bay Packers
Rich Stadium

Week 10 - November 6, 1988 - 4:00PM
@ Seattle Seahawks
Kingdome

Week 11 - November 14, 1988 (MNF) - 9:00PM
@ Miami Dolphins
Joe Robbie Stadium

Week 12 - November 20, 1988 - 1:00PM
New York Jets
Rich Stadium

Week 13 - November 27, 1988 - 1:00PM
@ Cincinnati Bengals
Riverfront Stadium

Week 14 - December 4, 1988 - 1:00PM
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Stadium

Week 15 - December 11, 1988 - 1:00PM
Los Angeles Raiders
Rich Stadium

Week 16 - December 18, 1988 - 1:00PM
@ Indianapolis Colts
Hoosier Dome


Stadium:
Rich Stadium
Opened in 1973
Capacity: 80,290
Open air, Astroturf



1988 Buffalo Bills Roster

Offense
8 Gale Gilbert

12 Jim Kelly

14 Frank Reich

33 Ronnie Harmon

34 Thurman Thomas
35 Carl Byrum 

39 Jamie Mueller FB

40 Robb Riddick

51 Jim Ritcher G

61 Leonard Burton T

65 Tim Vogler G

67 Kent Hull C

70 Joe Devlin T

71 Dale Hellestrae T

73 Will Wolford T

75 Howard Ballard T

80 Flip Johnson
81 Walter Broughton

83 Andre Reed
84 Keith McKeller
85 Chris Burkett

86 Trumaine Johnson

87 Butch Rolle
88 Pete Metzelaars
89 Steve Tasker KR

Defense

20 Sherman Cocroft

21 Wayne Davis CB
22 Erroll Tucker CB/KR

29 Derrick Burroughs CB

37 Nate Odomes CB

38 Mark Kelso S

41 Neal Guggemos S

45 Dwight Drane S

46 Leonard Smith S

47 Kirby Jackson CB

49 John Hagy S

50 Ray Bentley ILB
54 Carlton Bailey ILB

55 Cornelius Bennett OLB

56 Darryl Talley OLB
58 Shane Conlan ILB

59 Don Graham

72 Art Still DE

76 Fred Smerlas NT

78 Bruce Smith DE
79 Dean Prater DE
91 Jeff Wright NT
94 Mark Pike DE
96 Leon Seals DE
97 Scott Radecic ILB
99 Hal Garner OLB
 

Special Teams

4 John Kidd P
11 Scott Norwood K