Bills Showing Love to the Class of 2006

By Mario Granata
Well, it seems that 2006 was a pretty good year in the eyes of the Buffalo Bills.  With the recent acquisition of Reggie Bush, on a one-year deal, the Bills now have had in their possession 5 of the Top-10 picks from that draft class.  How will Bush's fate end in Buffalo?

Let's take a look at the other 4 players who have walked through the door at One Bills Drive. 

Donte Whitner - 8th Overall, Bills, Ohio State: 
Whitner had an unceremonious departure from the Bills, but he did leave his mark during his time in Buffalo.  He started 66 games in his 5 years, amassing over 450 tackles and 5 interceptions.  He will probably be most remembered for his collapse in his only Super Bowl appearance against the Ravens, and his twitter spat with Fred Jackson, but that shouldn't upset Bills fans much.  I mean, he ended up in Cleveland.  

Mario Williams - 1st Overall, Texans, North Carolina State:
Another former Bill who left on bad terms, Williams has settled in as Public Enemy #2 (Right behind Tom Brady) in the 716, due to his lack of effort during the 2015 season when he and Rex Ryan had a difference of agreement on his role in the defense.  To Mario's credit, he is a 'hand-in-the-dirt' edge rusher, and during his 4 years in Buffalo he tallied 43 sacks in 63 games, however his public scrutiny of his refusal to drop in coverage sealed his fate in Buffalo.  Enjoy the 305, Mario, hope you find solace playing next to a boy named Suh.  

Vince Young - 3rd Overall, Titans, Texas:
Young had a little more than a cup of coffee with the Bills in 2012, with a lackluster 103 yards and 2 picks in his appearance with Buffalo. His less than 50% completion percentage didn't help either.  Although he didn't have that bad a run in Tennessee, just after he was released by the Bills, Buffalo picked up Tarvaris Jackson.  How's that Madden Cover treating ya, Vinny?  About as well as the Cheesecake Factory.  Still shaking my head at that one.

Matt Leinart - 10th Overall, Cardinals, USC:
Leinart was dropped off at One Bills Drive in 2013, and it seems like the cab was kept running as he only lasted in Buffalo for 5 days.  In his only appearance, a preseason loss to the Lions, he was 3-10 for 11 yards.  I guess the Bills, who had a sidelined Kevin Kolb and a rookie EJ Manuel thought that they would be better off without the former 2-time National Champion.  Maybe the Bills thought that the swirling winds in November and December would have been too much for the lefty.  

That brings us to Reggie Bush.  He is brought in on a one-year deal, but that is even skeptical at this point.  True, the Bills have a few running backs who have had some trouble as of late, but even at his age, Bush is a back that is a threat out of the backfield. Roman isn't known for his utilization of the backs in the passing game, so his chance to extend his career will be as a return man.  I guess I could get with that.  I just worry that for a guy who has been in Southern California, New Orleans, Miami, Detroit, and San Francisco, how long will he enjoy the atmosphere of Buffalo?  I give it until Week 5, that is unless he is making an impact for the Bills on special teams.