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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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1989-1990: Linebacker Cornelius Bennett of the Buffalo Bills looks on during a game against the New England Patriots at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won the game 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

1) Cornelius Bennett

Selected: First round in 1987 (2nd overall)

Played: 14 seasons, including nine with the Bills

Career stats: 1,190 tackles, 71.5 sacks, 7 interceptions, 31 forced fumbles, 27 fumble recoveries

Career highlights: 5-time Pro Bowler, 3-time All Pro, 2-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year, NFL 1990s All Decade team, five Super Bowl appearances

If you were auditioning to find a linebacker for a sports movie, Cornelius Bennett would be at the top of a very short list. With his combination of highlight reel plays, build and handsome features, he just looks like the ideal person for the role.

In fairness to Bennett though, he brought so much more than aesthetics to the position. The guy used his combination of talent and hard work perfectly to forge an extremely impressive career in the NFL, including nine seasons with the Bills.

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The 52-year-old came out of college with a sterling reputation and almost immediately made news, after failing to agree a deal with the team that drafted him, the Indianapolis Colts. This resulted in a three-team trade, including a certain Eric Dickerson, and Bennett ended up in Buffalo.

It didn’t take Bennett long to make an impact, as he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Year in just his second season, in 1988. However, his second such award in 1991 was arguably more impressive, as he had to pick up the slack and lead a Bills defense missing Smith for much of the season.

Understandably, the Birmingham, Alabama native’s biggest regret will be having never won a Super Bowl, despite five appearances on the big stage. Regardless, this doesn’t take away from everything he achieved on an individual level and he deservedly goes down as the best linebacker in Buffalo Bills history.

Next: Top 5 Safeties in Bills history

What’s your take on our list? Do you agree with the picks, would you change the order, or include anyone else? Let us know in the comments section below.

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