Drafted eighth overall in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft from Penn State—where he earned unanimous All-American honors and helped the Nittany Lions win a national title—Frewsburg native Shane Conlan quickly became a beloved hometown hero in Western New York. Playing a vital role in Buffalo’s defense alongside stars like Bruce Smith and Cornelius Bennett, Conlan brought lively, relentless tackling that truly helped turn the Bills into a formidable team.

Conlan integrated instinctive diagnostic speed with formidable open-field tackling skills. Positioned as the inside linebacker within Buffalo’s 3-4 defensive scheme, he diligently analyzed pre-snap formations, diagnostic pull blocks, and flow plays to strategically shoot gaps before offensive guards could advance to the second level. His proficiency in lateral quickness against perimeter sweeps, combined with his closing speed in pass coverage, enabled him to neutralize running backs in space and disrupt screen plays.

Conlan made an immediate impact upon entering the professional ranks. During his 1987 rookie campaign, he racked up 114 tackles and led Buffalo's defense, earning AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Building on that rookie success, Conlan launched into an elite three-year stretch, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1988–1990) and three Second-Team All-Pro nods. His relentless tackling and run defense anchored a unit that captured three straight AFC East titles, setting the defensive foundation for Buffalo's legendary championship runs.

Conlan was a cornerstone during the early phase of Buffalo’s unprecedented four-straight Super Bowl appearances, starting at middle linebacker in Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, and XXVII. His big-game heroics were showcased in Super Bowl XXV, where he recorded eight tackles against the New York Giants.

Following the 1992 season, Conlan departed as a free agent to sign with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played his final three NFL seasons (1993–1995). With Buffalo, Conlan appeared in 88 regular-season games, racking up 545 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions.

The Buffalo Bills of the 1960’s were loaded weren’t they?  Another member of those two AFL Championships was Safety, George Saimes, a three time First Team AFL All-Pro.  He was well regarded in the AFL for his ability to tackle opposing players in the open field.  Saimes is also a member of the All-Time AFL Roster.

As for the Bills, they inducted the two-time AFL Champion into their Wall of Fame in 2000.

Selected in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft out of LSU, Kyle Williams was widely written off by talent evaluators as undersized for an interior defensive lineman. Standing 6 feet 1 inch and tipping the scales around 300 pounds, "Meatball" proved his doubters wrong almost instantly, seizing a starting job as a rookie and serving as the uncontested heart and soul of Western New York for 13 seasons.

What Williams lacked in prototypical length, he made up for with a low center of gravity, cat-like initial quickness, and a motor that never stopped. Operating as a 3-technique and nose tackle across multiple defensive schemes, he used leverage and explosive hand placement to shoot interior gaps before guards could set their bases. Against the run, he routinely disrupted plays in the backfield, while his relentless effort as a pass rusher made him a constant threat to push the pocket from the inside.

Williams secured his full-time starting position in 2006 and gradually established himself as one of the league’s most esteemed interior defenders. His standout season came in 2010, showcasing an exceptional performance. During that year, he recorded 73 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl invite.

Throughout the decade, consistency defined his career. Williams earned four additional Pro Bowl selections in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016. In the 2013 season, he partnered with Marcell Dareus, Mario Williams, and Jerry Hughes to create the formidable "Cold Front" defense, achieving a personal best with 10.5 sacks while playing as a defensive tackle.

Williams, the longest-serving Bill during a prolonged postseason absence, showcased his leadership culminating in 2017. He played a key role in returning Buffalo to the playoffs after 17 years, even lining up as a fullback to score a rushing touchdown in Week 17, securing their spot. He finished his illustrious career in 2018 with his sixth Pro Bowl selection before retiring.

Williams, who played his entire career as a Bill, played 183 games (178 starts), with 610 tackles, 103 tackles for loss, and 48.5 sacks—setting the franchise record for sacks by a defensive tackle.

Taken in the second round (29th overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin, Nate Odomes stepped directly into the Buffalo secondary and became a key defensive pillar throughout the franchise's legendary run of four straight AFC Championships. Functioning as a ball-hawking shutdown cornerback on the outside, Odomes possessed the rare instincts and closing speed that routinely turned defensive stops into game-changing turnovers.

Odomes integrated physical press coverage at the line of scrimmage with outstanding ball-tracking abilities in deep zone schemes. When defending against the opponent's best wideouts, he employed quick, fluid hips and an aggressive recovery burst to break up route stems. His defining trait was his diagnostic vision: Odomes immediately recognized quarterback eye progression, jumping intermediate passing lanes to turn precise throws into quick interceptions.

Odomes has a talent for making crucial plays in high-pressure postseason moments. In the notable 1992 AFC Wild Card Game—"The Comeback"—he made a decisive interception of Oilers quarterback Warren Moon, which led to the game-winning field goal and marked the greatest comeback in playoff history. He maintained his reputation for clutch performance by intercepting passes in both Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII.

His individual performance peaked during his 1993 campaign. Odomes co-led the NFL with a career-high nine interceptions, spearheading Buffalo's pass defense and earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors.

During his seven seasons with the Bills (1987–1993), Odomes started 107 regular-season games, recording 26 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in 1994, but severe knee injuries kept him out for two seasons. He made a brief comeback with Atlanta in 1996. Odomes's significant impact was honored when he was named to the Buffalo Bills 50th Anniversary Team.