Archives for April 2008

‘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.’

‘However, the Bills might find another way to solve their glaring receiver need, and they figure to be active in pursuing a trade. The dream scenario for the Bills would be to swing a blockbuster deal for Arizona veteran Anquan Boldin, a two-time Pro Bowler. The Cardinals said this week they have no interest in dealing Boldin, who with Larry Fitzgerald forms one of the best receiving tandems in the NFL. Some wonder if the Cards’ denial is forthright, since they have so much money invested in Fitzgerald, and Boldin wants a new contract.’

‘But what position should be addressed first? And what if a quality pass rusher or run stopper slips down the board to them? The Bills added three key free agents (Kawika Mitchell, Marcus Stroud, Spencer Johnson) on defense this off-season, but they aren’t about to ignore a unit that ranked 31st overall last season.’

‘Without further ado, our best guesses…’.

‘Many experts thought Posluszny had the talent to be a first-round pick. He went in the second round. And as for all those teams who showed interest, worked him out and introduced him to their linebackers coaches? None of them rang that cell phone. The Buffalo Bills did. Before the draft, nobody from that organization had ever spoken to Posluszny. Go figure.’

‘Kelly will join Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for a news conference at 1:30pm Tuesday in her Statehouse office. Last year, lawmakers joined Sebelius in enacting a law increasing the number of disorders from 4.. to 29.. for which health care providers are supposed to screen newborns. The expanded screening will begin July 1st.’