2001 Buffalo Bills season
Encyclopedia
The 2001
Buffalo Bills
season was the team’s forty-second season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips
was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans
defensive coordinator Gregg Williams
.
John Butler, who had been the Bills general manager
from 1993–2000, left to become the new G.M. of the San Diego Chargers
. Butler was replaced by Tom Donahoe
, who would remain with the Bills through the 2005 season.
In the wake of Buffalo's quarterback controversy, Doug Flutie
was released by the Bills, prior to the season and followed Butler to San Diego. Buffalo named Rob Johnson their starting quarterback for the 2001 season, which would ultimately be his last in Buffalo. Bills defensive end
Marcellus Wiley
and linebacker
John Holecek
also left Buffalo for San Diego in 2001, leaving a gap in Buffalo's defense.
with the Bills.
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was the team’s forty-second season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips
Wade Phillips
Wade Allen Phillips is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and former head coach for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...
was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
defensive coordinator Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams is the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Considered one of the most respected defensive minds in the game, Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes that put heavy pressure on opposing...
.
John Butler, who had been the Bills general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
from 1993–2000, left to become the new G.M. of the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Butler was replaced by Tom Donahoe
Tom Donahoe
Tom Donahoe is a former general manager and president of the Buffalo Bills of the NFL.-Biography:Prior to his tenure with the Bills, he was director of football operations for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1991-1999...
, who would remain with the Bills through the 2005 season.
In the wake of Buffalo's quarterback controversy, Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
was released by the Bills, prior to the season and followed Butler to San Diego. Buffalo named Rob Johnson their starting quarterback for the 2001 season, which would ultimately be his last in Buffalo. Bills defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Marcellus Wiley
Marcellus Wiley
Marcellus Vernon Wiley, is a retired American football defensive end who played 10 seasons in the National Football League for four different teams. He was selected with the 22nd pick of the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft out of Columbia University by the Buffalo Bills...
and linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
John Holecek
John Holecek
John Francis Holecek is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons for the Buffalo Bills, the San Diego Chargers, and the Atlanta Falcons. After retiring, he returned to Illinois to coach high school football at Loyola Academy, a private college...
also left Buffalo for San Diego in 2001, leaving a gap in Buffalo's defense.
NFL Draft
Buffalo's 2001 draft was general manager Tom Donahoe first with the team. The Bills' first three draft picks – Nate Clements, Aaron Schobel and Travis Henry – went on to make the Pro BowlPro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
with the Bills.
- Players in yellow indicates future Pro Bowl selections
Round Pick # Player Position College 1 21 Nate Clements Nate ClementsNathan D. Clements is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft...
Cornerback CornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes footballThe Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...2 46 Aaron Schobel Aaron SchobelAaron Ross Schobel is a retired American football defensive end. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft and played his entire career for the Bills, retiring before the 2010 season. He played collegiately at Texas Christian University .-High school...
Defensive End Defensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
TCU TCU Horned Frogs footballThe TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football...2 58 Travis Henry Travis HenryTravis Deion Henry is a former American football running back for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
Running Back Running backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers footballThe Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....3 76 Ron Edwards Ron Edwards (American football)Ronald H. "Ron" Edwards is an American football defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. He started 35 consecutive regular season games at nose guard for Texas A&M University, where he recorded 121 tackles with 10 sacks and 23 stops for losses during his career...
Defensive Tackle Texas A&M Texas A&M Aggies footballThe Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...3 95 Jonas Jennings Jonas JenningsJonas D. Jennings is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
Tackle Georgia Georgia Bulldogs footballThe Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...4 110 Brandon Spoon Brandon SpoonThomas Brandon Spoon is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who played one season for the Buffalo Bills. In his only season he was the Bills starting middle linebacker....
Linebacker LinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
North Carolina 5 144 Marques Sullivan Marques SullivanMarques D. Sullivan is a former professional American football offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants,the New England Patriots and the Chicago Rush.-Early life:...
Tackle Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini footballThe Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...6 178 Tony Driver Free Safety Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...6 195 Dan O'Leary Dan O'Leary (American football)Daniel Edward O'Leary is a former American football tight end and long snapper in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL...
Tight End Tight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Notre Dame 6 196 Jimmy R. Williams Jimmy R. WilliamsJimmy Ray Williams is an American football cornerback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt...
Cornerback CornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Commodores footballThe Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...7 214 Reggie Germany Reggie GermanyReginald Lee "Reggie" Germany is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes....
Wide Receiver Wide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes footballThe Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...7 238 Tyrone Robertson Tyrone RobertsonJulius Tyrone Robertson is a former professional American football player who played defensive tackle for one season for the Buffalo Bills....
Defensive Tackle Hinds Community College Hinds Community CollegeHinds Community College is a community college with its main campus located in Raymond, Mississippi, about five miles west of Jackson, the state capital. The Hinds Community College District includes Hinds County, Claiborne County, part of Copiah County, Rankin County, and Warren County...
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 9, 2001 | New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
L 6–24 | 0–1 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 2 | September 23, 2001 | at Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
L 26–42 | 0–2 | RCA Dome RCA Dome RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons .... |
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| 3 | September 30, 2001 | Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
L 3–20 | 0–3 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 4 | October 7, 2001 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 36–42 | 0–4 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 5 | Bye | ||||||
| 6 | October 18, 2001 | at Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 13–10 | 1–4 | Alltel Stadium | |
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| 7 | October 28, 2001 | at San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 24–27 | 1–5 | Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area.... |
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| 8 | November 4, 2001 | Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
L 14–30 | 1–6 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 9 | November 11, 2001 | at New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 11–21 | 1–7 | Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
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| 10 | November 18, 2001 | Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... |
L 20–23 | 1–8 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 11 | November 25, 2001 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 27–34 | 1–9 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 12 | December 2, 2001 | at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
L 0–35 | 1–10 | 3Com Park | |
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| 13 | December 9, 2001 | Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... |
W 25–24 | 2–10 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 14 | December 16, 2001 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 9–12 | 2–11 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
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| 15 | December 23, 2001 | at Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 30–33 | 2–12 | Georgia Dome Georgia Dome The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the... |
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| 16 | December 30, 2001 | at New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 14–9 | 3–12 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
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| 17 | January 6, 2002 | at Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 7–34 | 3–13 | Pro Player Stadium | |
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Roster
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
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Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Jay Foreman (American football) Jamal A. Foreman is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills, the Houston Texans, and the New York Giants... Sam Cowart Samuel Cowart, III is a former American football linebacker who primarily played for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings of the NFL... Keith Newman Keith Anthony Newman is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted out of the University of North Carolina in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.... DaShon Polk DaShon Lamor Polk is a former American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans of the NFL. He was a three-year starter at the University of Arizona, making 36 consecutive starts. He was drafted by the Bills in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft.... Brandon Spoon Thomas Brandon Spoon is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who played one season for the Buffalo Bills. In his only season he was the Bills starting middle linebacker.... Kenyatta Wright Kenyatta Terrell Wright was an American football linebacker for the New York Jets of the NFL from 2003-2005. He was a four-year starter for Oklahoma State University, where he recorded 260 career tackles, 11 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery... Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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Coaching staff
| Buffalo Bills 2001 coaching staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
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Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
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