Say what???

[psubills62]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bills-mckelvin&prov=ap&type=lgns


Fast as he might be, Buffalo Bills (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/buf/;_ylt=AuparBpueQlnoVZhOx11_NAdsLYF) cornerback Leodis McKelvin (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8788/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8788/news;_ylt=AlBsV2vhPpgWfl856HZf01wdsLYF) is discovering there are things even he can’t beat just yet.

Terrell Owens (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3664/;_ylt=AlrjCgPl0GDSmzg.xikNIdkdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3664/news;_ylt=AshucN_4zngfFIBM27kC7XodsLYF) on a quick slant, for one.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s stern advice, for another.

Concerned with how far off the line McKelvin was playing, Fewell delivered a message to remind the former first-round draft pick how far he had to go if he intended to keep the starting job entering his second NFL season.

“We didn’t draft him to give 10 to 15-yard cushions,” Fewell said, recalling what he told the former No. 11 selection. “We drafted him so he can get up in their grill and be able to stay with a receiver.”

The conversation took place shortly after McKelvin lined up 10 yards behind scrimmage and was beaten by Tennessee’s Justin Gage (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6479/;_ylt=AnwmhoEOhIglMtO6vWHTMSwdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6479/news;_ylt=Aigk_CQljEPHWGp2QS5CV6IdsLYF), who made a 19-yard catch to convert a third-and-15 situation in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 9

McKelvin said he quickly realized that all the speed in the world didn’t mean much if he didn’t develop a physical side to his game.

“Yeah, being fast, it’ll help,” said McKelvin, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at the NFL combine two years ago. “But no, they paid me to come in here and challenge players.”

McKelvin has shown progress as the Bills (1-2) prepare to play their final two preseason games, at Pittsburgh on Saturday, followed by hosting Detroit on Sept. 3.

McKelvin’s best preseason performance came against Chicago two weeks ago. Though he was beaten for a 20-yard catch by Devin Hester (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7806/;_ylt=AvAIOo85HlSLiNw6jQ8cCnUdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7806/news;_ylt=Ash5oZhfJdlapfB6myhMVsIdsLYF), McKelvin bounced back by intercepting Jay Cutler (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7760/;_ylt=AqCBMuP5Kq3wVsN5BsOtBQYdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7760/news;_ylt=AtZfPqx9HOMKqo2Y.R29270dsLYF) two plays later, and was also credited with two passes defended.

“I think we’ve made some strides,” Fewell said. “He’s not there yet, but it is a work in progress and he’s definitely improving.”

McKelvin has been a project since the Bills drafted him out of Troy University. He was a two-year starter at cornerback, but better known for his special teams play. In four years, McKelvin tied the NCAA Division I-A career record by returning eight kicks (seven punts and one kickoff) for touchdowns.

His rookie season in Buffalo mirrored his college career. McKelvin didn’t get his first of five starts at cornerback until midway through the season, and finished with two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

McKelvin made a bigger impression on special teams by setting the Bills single season-record with 1,468 kickoff-return yards with a touchdown.

This year, he was awarded the starting job opposite Terrence McGee (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6447/;_ylt=AnPFQqi_C4lbVdbYGqF7cYIdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6447/news;_ylt=ArjSkHKGLwNeX1.5gJw4Ev4dsLYF) after the Bills lost Jabari Greer (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7032/;_ylt=AlUq12Ux_Douaz4kg3b7cwodsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7032/news;_ylt=AqSO53VOwtm9YEtOMnT4oj8dsLYF) to free agency.

McKelvin’s development was hampered this spring when he missed two weeks of minicamp with an infection in a finger. That was a considerable setback because Bills coaches wanted him to work on his coverage techniques against Owens and Lee Evans (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6772/;_ylt=Ar3LXwe01wZHdanWcDXdERgdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6772/news;_ylt=AgCSrgrQNbGezh25lQF7R34dsLYF).

It became apparent how far McKelvin was behind in late July when he was burned several times in one practice two days into training camp.

Owens fooled McKelvin with a double-move up the left sideline. Evans caught a long pass ahead of McKelvin, who had turned the wrong way looking for the ball.

The most embarrassing play occurred when McKelvin provided Owens an 8-yard cushion. At the snap, Owens took one step and turned to catch a quick out from Trent Edwards (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8346/;_ylt=AnN4k_K39XKXfIYBFtYoXxEdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8346/news;_ylt=AuoRqjhEekAE9yDf8BZMVpQdsLYF). McKelvin immediately broke on the pass, but slipped and fell when Owens faked running inside—leaving the cornerback to watch as the receiver galloped past him.

“I got my mind off things,” McKelvin said, noting he was relying on instinct and speed rather than technique. “They got me for it. Just me being young.”
His first test as a starter will come against Tom Brady (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5228/;_ylt=AhG37Y0CyUWQqS5dpuuG1owdsLYF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5228/news;_ylt=AiBH_8vrOM0dz_YCpmoxFIcdsLYF) and the Patriots in a prime-time regular-season opener on Sept. 14.

The Patriots are expected to test McKelvin to determine whether they can exploit his inexperience.

“I’m looking forward to it,” McKelvin said. “That’ll give me more chances to get more picks, give me more chances to get things off my back, show me some respect.”

But first, he acknowledged, he’s going to have to earn it.



Wait a second...Fewell UPSET that McKelvin was giving 10-15 yard cushions? Not sure if I believe that. I would think Fewell would be commending McKelvin for making it as easy as possible for the WR to catch the ball. All our CB's need to do at this point is give the WR's a nice pillow to land on after making the catch, and we'll be all set.

[justasportsfan]

Fewell has finally learned how to coach after 3 years?

[psubills62]

Fewell has finally learned how to coach after 3 years?

Somehow, I just don't believe it.

[DMBcrew36]

Moss against McKelvin... eeeek

[justasportsfan]

Somehow, I just don't believe it.

let me rephrase, Fewell is learning?

[psubills62]

let me rephrase, Fewell is learning?

Well, it would go a long way towards being decent successful this year.

[yordad]

This is nice to hear. I like McKelvin's confidence though.

[methos4ever]

Well McKelvin was known at Troy for being a press corner, so maybe Fewell wants him to use his strength. Most of the time we're in a cover 3 or 4, so he can do something of that nature without sacrificing the coverage.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

It's well reported in Buffalo that McKelvin has a happy-go-lucky personality despite his hard-to-undertsand talking in front of the camera. Even Hamilton of WGR reported that McKelvin seems very willing to take gambles - he'll make great plays and he'll got beat.

Frankly I like it even though I know he'll make me cursing him bad sometimes. Too often, the Bills CBs are of the "don't let them beat you bad" varieties. I want to see an attacking CB for once.

[Hemlepp53]

He will be tested this year along with the entire backfield espically if we are unable to get pressure on the QB. The better the Pass Rush the more oppertunity the DB have to make big plays. Look at the suscessful the DBs in the NFL. They all have some form of pass rush either in LB or DL.

[bigbub2352]

So why does McGee play 10 yds off and whitner is uauslly lined 25 yds off the line of scrimmage Fewell?
is that not the scheme u run?
this coahcign staff is a joke
seriously

[Typ0]

Yeah right. Next they'll be trying to tell us that Shoenert didn't call a play designed to turn the ball over too.

[DraftBoy]

So why does McGee play 10 yds off and whitner is uauslly lined 25 yds off the line of scrimmage Fewell?
is that not the scheme u run?
this coahcign staff is a joke
seriously

Well Whitner is back off the LOS because he's a safety. They don't play on the line and Ive seen McGee within 10 yards a number of plays this season. Im not saying McKelvin isnt doing that, but I have seen our CB's lining up closer on some plays but certainly not on all of them.

[trapezeus]

this team is brewing with a coup right now. from an outsiders view it seems like the players have been set up to fail for 3 years and now that coaches are publically going out there and saying, "all those plays wasn't what we called."

Everyone is looking to save their bum right now.....and somehow i think ralph is more inclined to fire a handful of coaches than a 53 man squad.

[bigbub2352]

Well Whitner is back off the LOS because he's a safety. They don't play on the line and Ive seen McGee within 10 yards a number of plays this season. Im not saying McKelvin isnt doing that, but I have seen our CB's lining up closer on some plays but certainly not on all of them.
Really cause i played alot of ball and also watched even more, never seen a SS or FS be 25 yds off the line of scimmage in any defense
also mcgee and greer and now mckelvin normally give up 1st downs all day and seem to be far off the WR when the ball is thrown,
this is not new news, this is fewell's **** scheme that doesnt work at all
our CBs are never at the top of INT lists, and most of the time we think they are good cause they has 2ints for the season
the COver 2 and the coach coaching it sucks
maybe Whitner because he is a safety mite want to make a tackle or an INT at any point in any game make any kind of impact in this scheme cause oh yeah the Cover 2 requires a playmaker at SS and Whitner when there was 25 yds off the ball aint gonna make any plays
nor does he
I like Scott better there but he too is a liability in coverage
DB this scheme sucks

[jamze132]

This defense always lines up at least 10 yards off the ball on 3rd and long. It's like clockwork, just as when our QB calls an audible at the line, it signifies a run to the right.

This coaching staff is not NFL caliber...

[mybills]

The conversation took place shortly after McKelvin lined up 10 yards behind scrimmage and was beaten by Tennessee’s Justin Gage(notes), who made a 19-yard catch to convert a third-and-15 situation in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 9

Oh, ok. Fewell was just doing his job. :up:

[madness]

Yeah, it's the coaching. :rolleyes:

Players either execute or they don't.

[SabreEleven]

this coahcign staff is a joke
seriously

This might be the worst spelling mistake in the history of the internet.

[bigbub2352]

This might be the worst spelling mistake in the history of the internet.
sorry sometimes the bills make me so mad my brain is faster than my fingers i will use spell check everytime i post on here just for u hotshot

[psubills62]

This might be the worst spelling mistake in the history of the internet.

I don't know...this one's pretty bad too:

http://www.bash.org/?368808

[psubills62]

This might be the worst spelling mistake in the history of the internet.

This one might take the cake...

http://www.bash.org/?1964

Darn you for reminding me of that site and stealing my productivity!

[Oldbillsfan]

They only are coached to give 10 yard cushions on 3rd down huh Fewell?

[Mr. Pink]

How can he be upset?

Our system calls for the corners to play off the ball and go into zones.

So Fewell is upset with Leodis doing what the system calls for?

I smell BS.

[The Juice Is Loose]

Moss against McKelvin... eeeek

mcgee will be on moss and he's proven he can hold up pretty well against him.

[ddaryl]

Good to hear, because it's killing us. These 10 yard cushions have been apart of the D scheme however. McKelvin isn't the only one.

None the less, I liked McKelvins responses, he acknowledges his faults. Hopefully this means well see some real D this weekend

[Marvelous]

For 3-4 years nbow i've been pissed at the super-cusion our CB's give..

[lmcshadow]

I feel your pain ....It runs deep...

[billsfanone]

I think you were thinking choking staff, while trying to type coaching staff. Which is normal.