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Fast as he might be, Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin(notes) is discovering there are things even he can’t beat just yet.
Terrell Owens(notes) 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(notes), 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(notes), McKelvin bounced back by intercepting Jay Cutler(notes) 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(notes) after the Bills lost Jabari Greer(notes) 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(notes).
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(notes). 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(notes) 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.
Terrell Owens(notes) 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(notes), 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(notes), McKelvin bounced back by intercepting Jay Cutler(notes) 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(notes) after the Bills lost Jabari Greer(notes) 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(notes).
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(notes). 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(notes) 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.
" ~ yordad
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