McKelvin having surgery
Tags: Leodis McKelvin
Bills CB Leodis McKelvin is having shoulder surgery today (Tuesday).
That according to McKelvin himself who tweeted as much this afternoon.
CB Williams back in lineup
Tags: Aaron Williams, Justin Rogers, Leodis McKelvin
CB Aaron Williams was limited in practice Wednesday, but was full go on Thursday.
Head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that Williams will also man one of the starting outside cornerback positions on Sunday now that he’s back to full participation.
“Aaron was full go so it looks like he’s going to be just fine,” said Gailey. ”He’ll go back to starting.”
That means Leodis McKelvin will again be a reserve cornerback and possibly see work on special teams although Gailey did say he liked what he saw from Justin Rogers as a returner last week in San Diego.
McKelvin ready to bounce back
Leodis McKelvin is expected to start in place of Aaron Williams at CB Sunday if the rookie can’t go due to a knee injury against the Chargers. He stepped in last week after Williams was injured, but he’ll have a full day of work against a talented receiving corps Sunday. Fortunately McKelvin’s outlook is a good one for the position he plays.
As McKelvin sees it, he just has perform the last step of his job along with all the others that he’s done pretty consistently up until that last step.
“You put yourself in a great position and that’s it,” he said. ”All of the times that come up with you being on the worst end I mean what would you say? Would you say it’s bad luck or anything like that? Because obviously you see me going for the ball, obviously trying to make a play for the ball, but they end up coming up with it. It’s just the luck of the draw. Hopefully things can go my way because I’m going to put myself in all of those same positions and same predicaments, but I’m saying it’s going to be me coming out on top this time. So, that’s all I can say, just put myself in those same situations and come out on top.”
Head coach Chan Gailey believes McKelvin can bounce back after getting demoted at the cornerback position.
“There’s no question he can bounce back, now whether he does or not we’re going to find out,” Gailey said. “He is certainly capable, he just needs to go compete for the ball when it’s in the air. That’s the bottom line. Just go make the play when it’s there. He’s right there a lot of times, just make the play. That’s easier said than done by the way.
“They pay that guy on the other side a lot too that’s trying to get you. He’s got to go and when he gets the opportunities he’s got to go make the plays. I don’t think there’s any talk or anything I can do to help him there except to keep encouraging him because he certainly has the ability to do it.”
McKelvin admits you have to be mentally tough to play cornerback in this league, but he’s ready to take a second crack at a starting role this season.
“You have to hang in [there],” he said. ”At cornerback, you’re going to be out there by your lonesome, out there on an island by yourself. You can be very lonely out there, so you have to go out there and just make plays and everybody will see. Especially playing corner everybody will see if you make a mess of it and everybody will see you make a play. So, just make those plays more than you miss out on them.”
Still hope for CB Williams
Bills rookie CB Aaron Williams has not practiced at all this week after sustaining a knee injury in last week’s game, but head coach Chan Gailey is holding out hope that Williams might come around in the next day or so.
“Aaron didn’t practice (Friday), but we didn’t want to list him out,” said Gailey. ”He’s still got a chance if things go well tonight and tomorrow with some work. He might have a chance.”
The Bills officially listed Williams as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Leodis McKelvin is expected to start in Williams place.
McKelvin, Roosevelt update
Leodis McKelvin and Naaman Roosevelt both practiced again on Friday and are expected to play Sunday against the Titans.
Head coach Chan Gailey confirmed after Friday’s practice that both players would be listed as probable for the game.
Leodis, Naaman good shot for Sun.
Leodis McKelvin returned to the practice field on Thursday coming off a rib injury and Naaman Roosevelt practiced for a second straight day. It’s left head coach Chan Gailey optimistic about their chances of playing against the Titans Sunday.
“(Leodis) was limited and did a good job and it looks like both will be in good shape to play this week,” said Gailey.
McKelvin was injured when a Jets players speared him on a late hit following his recovery of a muffed punt. No flag was thrown on the play.
Roosevelt missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury, but practiced fully Thursday after being limited Wednesday.
Leodis back
Tags: Leodis McKelvin
Bills CB Leodis McKelvin is back practicing here on Thursday.
McKelvin didn’t practice Wednesday due to a rib injury suffered in last week’s game.
We’ll have his level of participation in practice later this afternoon.
Wilson, McKelvin update
A couple of Buffalo’s DBs aren’t practicing here on Wednesday.
George Wilson and Leodis McKelvin are not participating in practice. Head coach Chan Gailey said McKelvin has a chance to practice Thursday while he’s hoping Wilson can practice once late this week.
McKelvin’s redemption
Leodis McKelvin saw himself slide down the depth chart at cornerback as he hasn’t seen much time on the defensive side of the ball the past two games. But instead of wallowing in self-pity he rallied on special teams Sunday.
McKelvin had a tackle on punt coverage holding Jim Leonhard to a three-yard return as he worked as a gunner. He also recovered a muffed punt by Antonio Cromartie that led to a tying touchdown and had a pair of kick returns good for a 21.5-yard average.
“He played outstanding on special teams,” said head coach Chan Gailey. ”He really did. He was all over the field. He was a difference maker on special teams (Sunday), which was great for us. I hope we get him back this week.”
McKelvin suffered a rib injury when Jets LB Nick Bellore buried the crown of his helmet into McKelvin’s side on a late hit that wasn’t flagged after he recovered the fumble. Either way Gailey was proud to see how McKelvin responded.
“It tells you he’s a competitor,” said Gailey. ”He wants to work his way back up (the cornerback depth chart) and this is one way he can do it.”
Injury updates
Tags: George Wilson, Leodis McKelvin, Naaman Roosevelt
Here’s the latest on Buffalo’s injury list with a couple of players likely to get back in fray at practice this week.
George Wilson, who has missed each of the last two games with a neck stinger, is hoping to get back on the practice field late in the week.
“I don’t think he’ll make Wednesday but let us see how he’ll do Thursday to Friday to Saturday,” said head coach Chan Gailey.
Leodis McKelvin is expected to be fine after taking a shot to the ribs following his fumble recovery on the Jets muffed punt.
WR Naaman Roosevelt, who was inactive this past weekend with a shoulder injury, has a good chance to return to the lineup this week.
“He’s better,” said Gailey. “Naaman’s got a chance this week. His shoulder’s feeling a lot better. They’re going to look at him again (Tuesday) and let me know about whether he can practice Wednesday or not. It may be Thursday, but there’s a possibility of getting him back Wednesday.
McKelvin update
Tags: Leodis McKelvin
Leodis McKelvin was the latest Bills player to sustain an injury.
McKelvin recovered the muffed punt by Antonio Cromartie thata led to Brad Smith touchdown that tied the game at 21, but after recovering the ball McKelvin was the victim of a late hit as Jets LB Nick Bellore buried the crown of his helmet into McKelvin’s left side.
“They said it’s ribs,” said head coach Chan Gailey right after the game. ”He couldn’t go back so I don’t know the severity of it.”
McKelvin will have a role
Tags: Leodis McKelvin
With C.J. Spiller and Brad Smith taking on larger roles on offense today the Bills will be turning to another man to handle return duties.
Leodis McKelvin will return both kicks and punts against the Jets today. McKelvin has not returned a kick or punt since the 2010 season, but was one of the most prolific return men in college football history.
Williams to see slot work?
Tags: Aaron Williams, Justin Rogers, Leodis McKelvin, Terrence McGee
Head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that Aaron Williams will start at LCB in place of Terrence McGee who went on injured reserve Tuesday. The question is will he move into the slot just as McGee did when Buffalo goes to their nickel package?
When Terrence McGee was out of the lineup the first three games of the season, Aaron Williams filled his role in the slot on nickel packages, while Leodis McKelvin manned the LCB position. Now with McKelvin a bit lower on the depth chart Williams will start in McGee’s place at LCB. But will he move into the slot in nickel situations again?
Even Williams isn’t sure.
“I honestly don’t know,” Williams told Buffalobills.com. ”At the same time at the very beginning of the season I was Terrence’s backup. The first few games when I was playing when he was hurt I was in the slot.”
If called upon to play in the slot, Williams insists he’s ready.
“I’m not rusty at all being at nickel,” he said. ”I got some playing time at corner. If I have to do both that’s fine. I love doing it. I’ve played multiple positions since high school.”
In all likelihood Williams starts at LCB and in nickel situations he’ll move into the slot and then either McKelvin or fellow rookie Justin Rogers comes on to play the boundary corner position.
McKelvin’s role up in the air
Tags: Aaron Williams, Chan Gailey, Justin Rogers, Leodis McKelvin, Terrence McGee
Leodis McKelvin spent most of Sunday afternoon in Miami on the sidelines as rookies Aaron Williams and Justin Rogers went on the field defensively instead, even after the season-ending injury to Terrence McGee. Head coach Chan Gailey was asked Monday if McKelvin will remain at the back end of the depth chart.
“That remains to be seen,” said Gailey. ”Obviously with the injury that changes things. We’ll see how that goes.”
McKelvin said last week that he’s determined to climb out of the slump that he’s been in, but whether he gets the opportunity to make good on the field this Sunday against the Jets looks like a wait and see situatoin.
Leodis eager to end slump
Tags: Leodis McKelvin
Leodis McKelvin took questions concerning his recent play, which has included some big plays made against despite the fact that he seems to be in proper position most of the time. Here was his assessment.
“I don’t know if I’m just getting bad luck, but as far as my press (coverage) I press my a** off,” said McKelvin. ”I got out there and I don’t think I get a ball caught on me in practice in the past couple of months. When I get into the game and put myself in position to make a play it doesn’t go my way. I don’t know what it is as to why I can’t stop it, but I have to fight up out of it.
“I’ve never ever been in this position in my life, but I’m a fighter and I’m going to come out swinging. My mom is tough, and I’m tough and that’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to fight up out of it and if anyone doesn’t believe in me then I have to just believe in myself.”
Chan on Leodis
Bills head coach Chan Gailey was asked point blank about the recent struggles of Leodis McKelvin in coverage. While McKelvin is not alone the past two weeks, Gailey admitted that McKelvin has to bounce back.
“Leodis is struggling,” said Gailey. ”He’ll tell you that I’m sure. You have to have extreme confidence to play out on the edge like that. It’s like a pitcher walking out there. Every time he takes the mound he’s got to have that confidence no matter what happened last game or the previous three games. He’s got to have that kind of confidence. And his confidence has been shaken a little bit. We’ve got to get him back to where his confidence can be re-gained. We’ll look at everything as to how best to do that.”
McGee getting full workload
Bills CB Terrence McGee has been out for five weeks, but he’s got a full workload today against the Giants.
McGee is starting at his familiar LCB spot. Heading into today’s game it wasn’t clear if McGee would only play in nickel packages in the slot, but he’s going to play on the boundary on the left side when the Giants only go two receivers (pro set), but in 3 wide and more McGee will move into the slot and McKelvin will come on and play in McGee’s outside LCB spot.
Bills at Kids Escaping Drugs event
Tags: C.J. Spiller, Chris Kelsay, Fred Jackson, George Wilson, Kids Escaping Drugs, Leodis McKelvin, Stevie Johnson
A handful of Bills players will be on hand for autographs as they support Kids Escaping Drugs Tuesday at the Boulevard Mall food court in Amherst.
Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Chris Kelsay, Leodis McKelvin, C.J. Spiller and George Wilson will all be on hand for the event Tues. Sept. 27th from 6:30 to 8 pm where a $25 donation earns you a free poster of the players, which they will autograph.
Wristband sales for Kids Escaping Drugs begins at 4 pm at the Food Court in the mall, which is at 730 Alberta Drive in Amherst.
Here’s a look at the poster.
Pass ‘D’ looking to rebound
Tags: Chan Gailey, Kyle Williams, Leodis McKelvin
Buffalo’s pass defense surrendered a handful of big plays last Sunday against Oakland and allowed Jason Campbell to complete 70 percent of his passes en route to a 323-yard passing day. But if you ask the Bills players there were different factors that went into why the Raiders were so successful in rolling up passing yardage.
DT Kyle Williams explained that Buffalo’s approach was squarely focused on Oakland’s ultra-productive running game, which left them in less than ideal pass rushing situations to help the secondary on the back end on passing downs.
“We had just a couple of blitzes that we ran that really came free,” he said of last Sunday’s game. ”They picked up a 3rd-and-8 on us, really just a chuck and duck the guy caught it. And then a couple of other times we ran and were able to get some pressure he threw the ball in the ground. We ran a lot of under defense (Sunday). I was playing the shade and Marcell and Dwan played a three (technique) and a five (technique). Not your most favorable pass rushing position, but I think we were going in thinking that those guys rushed for over 200 yards last week and they’re going to pound it and we have to be ready for it.”
Williams said to the Raiders’ credit they audibled to some short pass plays to counter Buffalo’s focus on the run.
“They were in some running personnel and got us on some quick passes and they max protected and got the ball down the field when we were in an under defense,” he said. ”It’s a tough row to hoe, you’re going to get doubles and things like that. We didn’t throw a big package at them. We were focused on getting McFadden down and slowing that down.”
And the Bills did that with McFadden managing just 72 yards on 20 carries. Facing a much different Patriots offense this week that leans more toward the pass the Bills believe the approach will be different as pressure on Tom Brady is essential to disrupting the New England passing game.
“It’s different every week,” said Williams. ”We’re going to have to carry some different things with those guys going into the ball game. With their three tight ends and one back, two tight ends and two backs, they run a lot of different things.”
Head coach Chan Gailey has also challenged his defensive backfield to go make a play if the opportunity is there, and his defensive staff is likely to have a more aggressive plan as well.
“Go out and expect to be great in the game,” said Gailey in reference to what he told his players in the secondary. ”Don’t go play defensively, and I don’t mean that in the wrong terms. Go be aggressive on the field. We’ve got to go compete for the ball when the ball is in the air. We’ve got to study what they do. We’ve got to be good tacklers. All those little things that make a secondary good, that’s what you’ve got to do. It’s not a major overhaul, we’ve just got to get better at what we’re doing.”
“We’ve just got to go make plays,” said Leodis McKelvin. “That’s all it is. Most of the time we were in position to make a play so when we’re there we got to go make one.”
