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Buffalo Bills: Top 5 Linebackers in Franchise History

By Paul Taylor

Buffalo Bills linebacker London Fletcher-Baker looks into the backfield prior to a play in a game against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on September 24, 2006. New York won the game 28-20. (Photo by Mark Konezny/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Buffalo Bills linebacker London Fletcher-Baker looks into the backfield prior to a play in a game against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on September 24, 2006. New York won the game 28-20. (Photo by Mark Konezny/NFLPhotoLibrary) /
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Buffalo Bills
31 Jan 1993: Linebacker Darryl Talley of the Buffalo Bills works against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys won the game, 52-17. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

3) Darryl Talley

Selected: Second round in 1983 (39th overall)

Played: 14 seasons, including 12 with the Bills

Career stats: 1,252 tackles, 38.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries

Career highlights: 2-time Pro Bowler, 2-time All Pro, 4 Super Bowl appearances

If you want someone who best epitomizes the passion, dedication and blue-collar nature of Buffalo, you pick Darryl Talley. He may not be the best player in franchise history, but he’s among the most beloved.

The Cleveland, Ohio native enjoyed a stellar college career at West Virginia, helping the Mountaineers win the 1981 Peach Bowl. His five tackles for a loss against Penn State stood as a team record for many years and as a senior, he became just the third consensus All-American in school history.

With this resume, it was somewhat surprising Talley wasn’t selected until the second round of the 1983 NFL draft. However, the Bills took full advantage of this and never looked back.

The 57-year-old became an integral part of the team which played in four consecutive Super Bowls. On an individual level, he should have been picked for more than two Pro Bowls, although he was named All-Pro in 1990 and 1993.

The lack of individual accolades alludes to Talley arguably being underrated, something which his former teammate Kelly agrees with. In fact, the Hall of Fame quarterback firmly believes the linebacker should be alongside him in Canton, Ohio.

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