Inside The Bills

Camp honorable mentions

Our sixth annual training camp awards are up on the home page, but there were some other players that largely flew under the radar that we thought should be recognized in our honorable mention section.

CB Leodis McKelvin has not been seen making many plays defending the pass game. That’s because rarely have Buffalo’s quarterbacks thrown to his side of the field, which is an indication of his coverage ability. McKelvin may have had his most consistent camp this summer.

Undrafted rookies are really up against it in terms of trying to make the roster with the finite amount of time available before roster decisions have to be made. But here is a short list of some undrafteds that turned in noticeable plays in camp.

CB Doyle Miller
OLB Robert Eddins
WR Kamar Aiken

Of the three Eddins did the most in the practice setting.

WR Paul Hubbard had a solid camp, making more plays in three weeks than he did in the practice setting all last season. His game has noticeably improved.

CB Reggie Corner was around the ball an awful lot in this camp, perhaps more than any other cornerback on the roster. He didn’t have a lot of picks, but he likely led the secondary in pass breakups in this camp.

McKelvin earns praise

Bills CB Leodis McKelvin is having a solid training camp, and head coach Chan Gailey hopes he carries it out onto the field tonight in the Bills preseason opener against the Bears.

“He’s had a great camp,” said Gailey. “This is the best he’s looked since I’ve been here. He has amazing talent. I told him he just has to decide if he wants to be great because his talent will allow him to be. He’s practiced extremely well.”

McKelvin has certainly played well in his time with Buffalo, but he’s eager to put together his most consistent and productive season to date in 2011.

C.J. on going back to 28

C.J. Spiller wore 21 as a rookie and it just didn’t feel right. Leodis McKelvin already had 28. After talking it over the two former first-round picks swapped numbers no questions asked. Spiller was the one that intiated the exchange and explains why he wanted 28 back.

“I always wanted to get back to 28; it was just a matter of when it came available,” he said. ”I knew I was going to switch back to it sooner or later. Me and Leodis (McKelvin) talked about it as we got towards the end of the season and it became reality. This is a number that I have had since my 10^th grade. Last year being 21 just felt different. Now I’m back to my original number. It may help me play better, it may not but I still have to go out there and get my job done. I’m glad it was able to work out for the both of us.”

McKelvin didn’t mind switching to 21 because it his number in high school. He wore 34 at Troy.

McKelvin headed to B-lo

Leodis McKelvin is the latest Bills player headed up to Buffalo.

McKelvin was en route to Buffalo Sunday night per his twitter account from his native Georgia.

C.J.’s 28 ready to go

As we told you late last month right here on the Inside the Bills blog, C.J. Spiller and Leodis McKelvin are swapping numbers with McKelvin taking 21, a number he wore in high school, and Spiller taking 28, his college number. The Bills store already has Spiller jerseys on display.

Here’s the away Spiller 28 already hanging in the window at the store at One Bills Drive.

C.J. & McKelvin switch numbers

With the unveiling of the new uniforms last night also comes some important information if you’re in the market for C.J. Spiller or Leodis McKelvin jersey.

If you’re planning on ordering a Spiller or McKelvin jersey be prepared for a different number than you were anticipating. They’ve swapped jersey numbers for 2011.

McKelvin will be wearing jersey number 21 while Spiller will be wearing jersey number 28. Spiller wore 28 in college and presumably approached McKelvin about swapping out numbers.

Fan Friday 5-27

Time to get rolling with another edition of Fan Friday with your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net.

1 - Chris, as Bills fans I think we are prone to believing that change is always for the better. Can you shed any light on the qualifications of the new scouting department that Buddy has brought in? I know Bills fans were eager to move on from Modrak however was his dismissal so Buddy could bring in an old friend’s son and guy he recruited when coaching in 1972? What are the qualifications of the new hires?  Do they have a track record and any talent they are specifically credited with finding? How do the new hires’ experience match up to Modrak’s? Am I off base by saying that the Buffalo Bills will now only go as far as Buddy Nix’s eye for talent takes us?
 
Steve
- Colorado Bills Backers

CB: I think you’re selling the new hires short. First, Pro Personnel Director Tom Gibbons was with the organization from the time he started in this business in 1992. He worked with Buddy Nix when he was with the organization the first time and then again when both followed John Butler and A.J. Smith to San Diego. Nix has worked with Gibbons for the better part of the last 18 years. He wouldn’t hire him if he didn’t think he could add to the operation. Granted Cook is a guy that has some close history with Nix as his father coached with Buddy at one time. But to his credit Cook has his own self made resume in scouting.

Cook oversaw the pre-draft process for the Kansas City Chiefs for a dozen years, so he’s most definitely qualified for his current assignment with Buffalo. Buddy Nix made it plain. He only hires people he knows first hand. He’s not hiring people off recommendations.

Now comparing the experience of these two men up against Tom Modrak might not be fair since Modrak has been in the game since the late 60’s. But I believe Nix is confident these guys have an eye for talent that will only deepen the pool of quality players on Buffalo’s roster.

2 - Chris:
We have some defensive linemen who should be real run stoppers – Kyle Williams, Torrell Troup, Alex Carringon and Marcell Dareus. Kellen Heard and Mike Jasper both seem to have some huge upside (no pun intended); any chance we’ll see them this year, or will they be more likely relegated to the Practice Squad? It would neat to see us play the Ravens or Browns with Heard and Jasper on the inside, and Williams and Dareus on the outside.
 
Thanks,
Mike Allen, Pittsford

CB: I think Jasper has to come a long way in a short period of time (getting shorter with each day of the lockout) to convince the coaching staff he’s NFL ready as a rookie. Both he and Kellen Heard have a much bigger hill to climb with the depth of the defensive front now with Dareus in the fold and Torell Troup and Alex Carrington now second-year players. Buffalo’s staff is unlikely to keep more than six or seven defensive linemen on the active roster. Last year they kept seven, so if it’s seven that last spot could be between Jasper and Heard.

3 - Chris, 

Can you break down what you presume to be the starters for the defensive backfield? Listening to Buddy, it seems McGee, McKelvin, and Williams will be in competition for starting. In terms of SS how deep on the depth chart is Searcy? Buddy wants to bring back Drayton, how would that affect Reggie Corner and Rogers? How does the coaching staff plan to better defend the TE, in almost every game a linebacker or safety was burned in pass coverage. 

CB: A lot of questions there. Basically if McGee stays healthy and McKelvin is more consistent and no other additions are made or return I anticipate that McGee and McKelvin will be the starters outside. Those are a lot of ifs however. McGee has had trouble staying healthy the past two seasons and McKelvin has not been consistent.

That could open the door for Williams if he has a solid training camp, provided there is one. I don’t believe Williams will do any worse than being the third corner. McGee has been the team’s best run support corner. If staying healthy is still an issue for him they need a good run support corner on the strong side and Williams is the next best option for that.

Corner and Rogers would be corners four and five with other additions likely leading up to the season before final roster cuts are made.

As for Searcy I believe he will push both Bryan Scott and George Wilson for a starting role. He’s bigger than both of them physically and being stouter in the run front is critical for this team. Provided he shows and ability to cover he could be in the mix for that starting SS job, especially if he can muscle up with tight ends.

4 - Why didnt the Bills address o-line or tight end in draft as much in your opinion? And the 7th rounder Mike Jasper the monster d-linemen, will he play some nose tackle or does Williams stay at nose? And finally what happens with Fitz if the Bills miss playoffs again?

George

CB: I think people are expecting a lot from Jasper because of his athleticism and measurables. I’m not here to sell him short, but rather to keep expectations realistic. He’s got a lot to learn with respect to technique having not played nose tackle the past two seasons. He’s got to make the 53-man roster first. Kyle Williams will start at the nose and his backup will be Torell Troup. Jasper has to convince the staff that he deserves one of the last D-line spots.

As for not addressing offensive line, the Bills drafted a tackle in round four, Chris Hairston who is seen as a right tackle prospect. Tight end Nix said was a position they looked at, but that the board did not fall right with the prospects they had an eye on.

I think the staff believes they can work with Scott Chandler, who was picked up late last season, and Shawn Nelson is still an athletic talent they’d like to find out more about.

Fitzpatrick is the starter in 2011. Beyond that is anybody’s guess because he’s entering the last year of his contract, barring an extension.

5 - Chan wanted to upgrade the pass rush and taking Dareus and Kelvin will help the run game. Are there favorites going forward for the starting edge rushers? Without seeing Merriman on the field yet it’s hard to gauge how good he can be again. Kelsay looked better with his hand on the ground. Moats looked the best in pass/run coverage. Maybin still needs work but Torbor might be a good back up option to. Who do you think Chan likes?

Thanks 
Jack S.

CB: I think the whole pass rush hinges on Merriman. I know, that’s a lot of eggs to put in one basket, but if he’s right the Bills could really make a giant leap forward with their defense instead of steady improvement. If he’s on they could have a top 12 defense. But as you said it’s a wait and see type deal.

I believe Moats will only improve in year two, I’m interested to see what Danny Batten has to offer. Torbor I’m anticipating might move inside where he played for most of the two seasons prior to his arrival in Buffalo.

Who Chan likes is really anybody’s guess.

Nix on projected starting CBs

Bills GM Buddy Nix gave an assessment of the projected starting cornerbacks for the 2011 season.

With Drayton Florence a free agent the jobs fall to Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin. Here was Nix’s assessment of them as starters for 2011.

“I think Leodis had a good year, not a great year,” said Nix. ”Leodis has missed a lot of time and the upside is really good on him. Terrence is hitting that magic number and is going to have to keep himself in great shape to play a lot longer.”

With McGee Nix is referring to age 30, which McGee will turn in October. The veteran corner has been on the injured list more than he’d like the past couple of seasons and sounds like he’s on notice to stay healthy. Unfortunately players don’t get to choose to stay healthy in the NFL. It’s part of the game. But as one NFL coach once told me, “Having a long career in the NFL is all about being available on Sunday.”

Here’s hoping McGee’s injury problems are behind him.

McGee ready to start?

Terrence McGee came through last week’s game with no setbacks in his return from a nerve problem in his calf. He had another solid week of practice as well. So is he ready to return to the starting lineup on Sunday against the Dolphins?

Head coach Chan Gailey weighed in on that possibility.

“I think physically he could probably do it,” said Gailey. ”Whether he would last a whole game, I think we all still wonder that. He certainly came through a lot better this week through practice and last week’s game better than he’s been in a long, long time. We’re still trying to decide whether he’ll start or whether we’ll start Leodis (McKelvin).”

It sounds like Gailey and his defensive staff will make that decision sometime on Saturday heading into Sunday’s game against Miami.

Return game situation

Bills head coach Chan Gailey is expected to split return game duties down the middle between Leodis McKelvin and C.J. Spiller today.

Provided Spiller gets through pre-game warmups without any setbacks he will return punts and get work on offense, while McKelvin will return kicks.

Spiller on his hamstring

C.J. Spiller was close to playing last week, but his hamstring wasn’t quite ready. Head coach Chan Gailey however, expects Spiller to be back in the lineup Sunday at Minesota.

Gailey however, did indicate that after a two week layoff they’re going to be careful not to overburden him in terms of workload. Nevertheless Spiller is excited knowing his chances of playing Sunday are very good. 

“Right now we’re on pace for me to play this weekend,” Spiller said. ”I’m excited about playing after about two weeks of sitting back and watching the team improve and not going out there to compete. That was the most difficult thing, but I was mentally tough and I knew I needed to get healthy and that’s kind of what I’ve done the past two weeks.”

Spiller said he does not know yet how much of the return work he will get in Sunday’s game. Leodis McKelvin has been the primary punt and kick returner in Spiller’s absence. Gailey planned on determining how the workload on returns would be divided later in the week.

Leodis thought he was in

Leodis McKelvin took the opening kickoff of overtime 49 yards to midfield, but if you ask him or anyone in the stadium he was gone had he not gotten tangled up with a teammate.

“It was a call and I got a lane,” said McKelvin. “Once I see a lane i’m going to burst through it and I was in the open field. I got past that first wave and it was just me, (Arthur) Moats and the safety guy. Moats knew I was behind him. I was going towards him to try to cut up field and I ended up tripping over his feet. That’s just bad luck of the draw.” 

When asked if he thought he was going to the house, McKelvin indicated that did think he’d get to the end zone.

Fan Friday 11-19

Win No. 1 is in the books and the Bills have a very winnable game Sunday against a reeling Cincinnati squad. Getting mixed feedback from fans on winning right now as some want to lock up the top pick with the worst NFL record. I don’t see that happening because Carolina is a far worse team and Buffalo has made strides the last month. They’re playing better football. Now to your questions from the AskChris@bills.nfl.net file.

1 - Hey Chris,
I know Ralph has said QB is the top priority this offseason and that really worries me that we will desperately take whoever is the best QB available at our pick in the draft,whether or not he is necessarily deserving of the pick. Personally I think Andrew Luck is the real deal and would take him first overall no question, but if he stays in school like he’s said he will then we take a QB just to take one? I think Mallett is a little inconsistent and have had character questions and that Locker is far too inaccurate and raw to cut it in the NFL. I would say to take a tackle but it doesn’t seem as though there’s an elite tackle at this point. If we can’t take Luck, do you think it would make more sense to take a defensive impact player such as Bowers from Clemson or Fairley from Auburn, maybe even Peterson on LSU, a tackle in the second and try to get Luck or someone like a Matt Barkley whenever they declare? Thanks.
 
From,
Tom

CB: I think you can rest assured knowing that GM Buddy Nix is not going to desperately do anything. As I mentioned last week, we have to see which underclassmen declare in mid-January before we can really assess the landscape of what will be available to the Bills. At that point we’ll also know where Buffalo will be picking in the draft order.

Know this, Buddy Nix worked primarily under John Butler during his first stint with the Bills. Butler worked under Bill Polian, who openly stated that the top two positions on a football team in terms of importance were QB and a pass rushing DE or OLB depending on your defensive system.

I’ve seen a lot of Fairley and that kid is impressive. He jumps off the TV screen. I haven’t seen as much of Bowers, but of the tape I’ve watched it’s evident he’s a special talent. In fact, there’s one part of his game that resembles Bruce Smith. Bowers can drop his inside shoulder and his inside hip and flatten himself out at almost a 45 degree angle and still maintain his pass rush speed to get to the quarterback.

There are very few pass rushers that can do that. Marcellus Wiley told me when he tried to do some of the things that Bruce could do he would fall down. I’m not saying Bowers is Bruce Smith, but I am saying that on the surface it appears he has some similar athletic traits in his game to that of the Hall of Famer.

Just know that Nix is not going to have his hand forced with their top pick. I think he proved that last spring when he took Spiller despite glaring needs at other positions. If the individual talent at a position of need doesn’t fit their spot on the board he won’t reach to fill it.

2 - Hey Chris ,
I’ll make this quick – What do you think about Kellen Moore ?? All the kid does is win !!

Mr. T from Ft. Myers via Nashville

CB: Moore has shown the ability to perform in the clutch and you’re right he is no question a winner. His greatest strength is his knowledge of the game. A son of a football coach, Moore is a football nerd. As a kid he used allowance money to buy college game tape off the internet.

Since he was a sophomore his college staff was so impressed with his knowledge and scouting of opponents that they would often incorporate plays he liked into the game plan. To my knowledge they still do this.

What’s going to steer NFL GMs away from Moore are his physical limitations. He’s a 6’0” 187-pound pocket passer. He’s not all that mobile and his arm is adequate at best.

His football intelligence will get him drafted, but it will be hard for talent evaluators to overlook his physical deficiencies. I think he’ll be a mid to late round pick (4th to 6th), but I wouldn’t mind having him on my team as a backup. It should be noted that he is a junior, so he still has a year of college eligibility left.

He gets knocked for being a system quarterback, but I think he’s more than that personally.

3 - Chris:
It starting to look like Alex Carrington is falling into the potential bust category. How is it that a young Defensive Lineman can’t get on the field for this team that has major Defensive issues stopping the run and rushing the passer?
 
Thanks
Joe Badaszewski
Blasdell

CB: I think you’re way off the mark here on Carrington. First of all Carrington is playing a position where there are experienced veterans in front of him (Johnson, Stroud, Edwards). That combined with the fact that in a 3-4 you really only need five defensive linemen active for a game and you see the numbers game where Carrington gets caught.

So I think to even attribute bust in the same sentence as Carrington is misguided at best. When you have proven veterans in front of you on the depth chart, that’s what is going to keep you off the field more than anything. It has less to do with his ability and more to do with the ability of the vets.
4 – Hi Chris,
 
Couple of questions for you. First, regarding free Agency this off-season, what notable players on the Bills roster have contracts that are expiring? Specifically, where do players like Whitner and Poz stand (I think theirs may be up soon) and do you foresee them being offered new contracts, or do you think Nix/Gailey may be looking to move in a different direction once the season is over?

Paul in Toronto

CB: Here are the names according to my records. I believe I have most of them. Paul Posluszny, Donte Whitner, George Wilson, Ashton Youboty, Keith Ellison, Brian Brohm, Drayton Florence, Jonathan Stupar and Garrison Sanborn.

I would think that Poz is a top priority with Whitner and Florence other notable considerations. I think keeping a quality long snapper is also important so I anticipate Sanborn will be back.

All that being said, with the labor uncertainty there’s no definition as to who is restricted or unrestricted based on accrued seasons before there is no CBA to go off of. A couple of these players are likely to be re-signed prior to a new CBA regardless of what the new rules become because the organization deems them important pieces for their future. But the absence of a CBA won’t make the process any easier.
5 – Chris,

One question about the Bills has really been bugging me: a couple of years ago Leodis McKelvin was a fantastic kickoff returner for Buffalo. C J Spiller seems awful tentative on kick returns. Why does McKelvin not return kickoffs? Does Coach Gailey not know that McKelvin is an electric return man? Maybe you could ask him that the next time you interview him.

Lee D.

CB: It looks like you’re going to get your wish Lee due to injury. Spiller is out Sunday against Cincinnati and McKelvin is slated to handle both kick and punt return. Personally I thought he was robbed last week on his 78-yard return on a very questionable holding call against Jon Corto. I thought Corto had him locked up legally and was driving his man down the field.

I do like that McKelvin is getting this opportunity. I think the Bills staff was so eager to get Spiller on the field, and knowing he’d be worked in slowly on the offensive side, returns were a way to get him extra touches. They also wanted McKelvin to focus more on defense because his consistency series to series had been an issue. In my opinion he played his best game of the season against Detroit last week.

McKelvin set for double duty

Leodis McKelvin is going to be handling the majority of the work on both punt and kick returns on Sunday with C.J. Spiller out with a hamstring injury and Roscoe Parrish out for the season. But don’t think it’s going to pull him off the field on the defensive side of the ball.

While head coach Chan Gailey said they will “massage” that starting left cornerback situation this week based on workload knowing Terrence McGee is coming back from the nerve problem in his leg, McKelvin is expected to still see at least half the work, if not more at the left corner spot. That will have him matched up on Terrell Owens, while also handling special teams duties. But McKelvin doesn’t mind the extra work.

“No, I’ve been doing it all my life. I imagine you could say I am getting older, jumping from defense to special teams or back to defense. But we’ve got depth at corner and whenever I do need a breather we’ll be able to rotate and do things like that.”

McKelvin apparently thinks 25 is old. It’s not Leodis, trust me.

McGee expected to start

Bills CB Terrence McGee appears ready to make a return to the starting lineup this Sunday.

McGee has missed each of the last four games due to a nerve problem in his leg that had to be corrected through a minor surgical procedure. But head coach Chan Gailey believes he’s ready to go.

“He’s ready to go,” said Gailey. “We want to play him as much as he can play, and you shouldn’t put him on the field unless he’s ready to go a majority of the snaps. If you think he’s only going to be limited snaps then you have to re-think the whole deal. I feel confident right now that he can go in and play the majority of snaps in the game.”

If McGee needs to be spelled for a series or two through the course of the game Leodis McKelvin would be his replacement.

McKelvin’s pain in the neck

Leodis McKelvin was spotted in the locker room Wednesday wearing a thick heating collar around his neck.

The collar, which resembles the device a victim of whiplash usually wears, is not for anything more than a stiff neck.

“I woke up Sunday morning with a crick in my neck,” said McKelvin. “I could barely turn my head.”

Buffalo’s athletic trainers worked on him all morning the day of the Jets game trying to loosen it up, but did not have much success. For a defensive back being unable to get his head around to get a peek at an incoming pass or see where he has help on a play makes the job more difficult.

“Every time I was not in the game I had that collar on,” McKelvin said. “It wouldn’t loosen up.”

McKelvin said Wednesday that’s it’s a lot better, but still stiff. To prevent the problem from happening again the cornerback intends to bring his own pillow to the team hotel the night before the games.

Fan Friday 9-17

Week 1 in the rearview mirror. Time to get ready for a big test in Green Bay. On to your questions (AskChris@bills.nfl.net).

1 - Hi Chris, What is your take on the Bills’ receiver situation? Do you think that David Nelson is a diamond in the rough? What about Steve Johnson being the number two receiver?

Tony, Daytona Beach, Fl

CB: Steve is locked in as the number two, but I think come season’s end that Roscoe Parrish will have more production. He’s more experienced and often runs routes that are more high percentage throws for the offense.

David Nelson has been impressive since the spring. He rarely drops a pass and has a silky smooth nature to his game. He glides more than he runs. For a guy that’s 6’5” he gets in and out of his routes very well. He’s already part of the team’s four wide set. It’ll be enjoyable to watch his game develop.

2 - Hi Chris,

My question is about Trent Edwards.  Since he is in a contract year do you think he will be re-signed or do you think he will have to play out the year and then the bills will look at resigning him or going another option after evaluating him?

Showtime

CB: I believe the year will have to play itself out before contract is discussed. The only thing that changes that is if Trent lights it up in the first half of the season and the team wins some games over some quality opponents.

3 - Who is going to be the primary kick returner?  I’d love to see McKelvin back there since he’s a hume run threat every time he gets the ball but is his leg ready for it.

Jeff Zier

CB: Chan Gailey has said that the kick return role will be rotated through the course of the season. One will be chosen for each particular game this season. In Week 1 it was Spiller, but he only had one return for 11 yards. He had to take a knee on another and one other went through the end zone for a touchback. For what it’s worth McKelvin is listed behind Spiller on the KR depth chart.

Tony Smith

4 - Who ‘s going to block out Clay Matthews?

Bill C.

CB: That task is going to fall to the two tackles as Matthews will switch sides frequently at his outside linebacker position. I’m expecting Buffalo to use their backs to chip on Matthews in passing situations and their tight ends to assist their tackles because Matthews is a monster. After last week’s leaky protection I think we’ll see more max protect.

5 - Hi Chris,

Could you explain the how & why players are listed as active or inactive for each game?

1) Why are teams only able to activate so many players?

2) Why not let teams dress the whole roster and use players as desired?

3) If a player is inactive for a game, does he still get paid that game check?

4) If he is still paid for that game, why not have him available for the team to use?

Thanks,

Mike

CB: There’s no other way to explain it than those are the league rules. A team can dress 46 players and a 3^rd quarterback on game day. Yes, a player still gets a game check if he is inactive. I understand your point about how teams should have all roster players available, but those are the rules. Look for that to change if the league goes to an 18-game schedule.

McGee, McKelvin not practicing

Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin are both not practicing here on Monday.

McGee and McKelvin were both working on the side with trainers. McGee’s undisclosed injury was classified as minor by head coach Chan Gailey on Saturday.

OLB Antonio Coleman also is not practicing.

No spec. teams for Spiller

With an increased workload on offense tonight due to the absence of Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Spiller won’t be seeing any time on special teams.

Buffalobills.com has learned that Spiller, who returned a punt in the preseason opener, will only see time on offense as he’s expected to get about 20-24 plays.

Expected to see time on returns however are Leodis McKelvin and Roscoe Parrish. Both are expected to get a punt and kick return each, provided they occur in the game. Naaman Roosevelt is also expected to get some looks again on returns.

McKelvin to hold football camp Sat.

Bills CB Leodis McKelvin is holding a free football camp for the clients of Kids Escaping Drugs Renaissance Campus and local athletes from the West Seneca district this Saturday (June 12) at the West Seneca West athletic fields. 

McKelvin will be joined by Bills teammates WR Felton Huggins, OL Demetrius Bell, DE Chris Ellis, S George Wilson and former NFL players as well as coaches from Buffalo State College, West Seneca West, Cleve Hill, St. Joe’s and Tonawanda High Schools.

Registration begins at 8:30 am on Saturday and lunch will be provided.