Archives for April 26, 2008

‘McKelvin, whose test scores coming out of high school in Waycross, Ga., scared off higher-profile programs, is scheduled to graduate this summer with a degree in sports medicine. "It’s very important to me," McKelvin said. "I’ve put a lot of time into it and I want my mom to be happy.’

‘The story of Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin teaches an important lesson to all the overlooked football players coming out of high school.’

‘Because of the way the first 10 picks fell, when Buffalo stepped up this afternoon at No. 11 in the first round, it had its choice of every cornerback and wide receiver available, and the Bills decided to fortify the critical cornerback position by selecting Leodis McKelvin out of Troy.’

‘Buffalo was one of the 11 places McKelvin visited, but perhaps definitely the coldest. "I guess I’ll go up there and make me some snow angels,” McKelvin said. “I’m just ready to go out there and play.” McKelvin said he would report to Buffalo Wednesday.’

‘”I can play three positions. I don’t think anyone else in this draft can play three positions like I do and do it as great as I do it.”‘

‘Since the end of the season and an impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl, McKelvin has racked up airline mileage numbers that rival those he registered in all-purpose yards for the Trojans. His 3,909 yards, with just two touches on offense, set the Troy record.’

‘McKelvin has no preference on where he is drafted; he’s just ready to be a pro. "I just want to make another team better and win a Super Bowl," McKelvin said. "I won’t let them down because I’m going to go out and be the best player I can be."’

‘The Bills went with what was considered the best player available, and someone who could immediately fill a need on a team coming off back-to-back 7-9 seasons and has missed the playoffs for eight straight years — the longest drought in franchise history.’

‘Several experts predicted that Buffalo would take a wide receiver with its first-round pick. But the Bills instead went with the electric McKelvin, who also was a dangerous special teams player at Troy – as the 3,909 all-purpose yards he accrued will attest.’

‘"He has outstanding speed," said Bills scout Joe Haering. "He just jumps off the film."’

‘One of the most electrifying return specialists in the history of college football, McKelvin also developed into a standout cover cornerback during his time with the Trojans. Even though he touched the ball only two times on offense, he amassed a school all-time record 3,909 all-purpose yards, the third-best career total in Sun Belt Conference annals.’

‘You could argue the Bills’ biggest needs are still on the defensive side of the ball, even with offseason moves to acquire defensive tackle Marcus Stroud in a trade with Jacksonville and linebacker Kawika Mitchell, signed as a free agent from the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. However, with second-year quarterback Trent Edwards going into the season as the clear-cut No. 1 man under center, the offense, which also ranked near the bottom of the NFL in 2007, could use a big jolt in the name of big receiver.’

‘”I don’t think J.P.’s sulking here,” said Brandon, who added that the team has had conversations with Losman and his agent since the demand and does not foresee any problems. “J.P.’s on this roster and he’s a part of this organization.”‘

‘The problem is this. None of this year’s projected first-round quality wideouts is graded as high as where Buffalo selects.’

’11, Buffalo, Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State.’