FigPatrick Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 4 years experience and learning. Will only improve. Better pass rush and the whole back field improves. Great return man. Our only glimmer in most games last year. Good investment and the bucks alone make you think your better and thats important in his position. 5 years experience and learning, not 4. Can we please stop inflating what McKelvin really is and just be honest for once? You have seen this guy play for 5 years in a Bills uniform and you have seen him get burnt time and time again. If McKelvin is a starting CB on this team, Pettine or not, we are in trouble on that side of the field. He may have improved Cromartie, but Cromartie is a hell of a lot better CB than McKelvin. If, and that is a strong If, he can be a serviceable Nickel corner then fine. That is about all that he is. However, he is one Hell of a return man. That is where the value lies, that is why he got the contract he did. Period.
Beerball Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 There are dozens of other factors that influence McKelvin's performance as a CB. Dozens? I think you need to list them.
QCity Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Interesting note from Joe B: @JoeBuscaglia - "For what it's worth, Leodis McKelvin has the same agent as Dannell Ellerbe. Talk amongst yourselves." Hmmmm.... interesting
Beerball Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Somebody on the coaching staff will instruct him to put his hands up and try to knock down some passes. He's usually right on the receiver, but he forgets that he has those tools attached to his shoulders. He was a first round pick with obvious skills. Listen, I like the kid. He really showed something last season, great heart, but the knock on him coming out was ball skills. The knock on him still is ball skills. I have to assume that his coaches have tried to get him to improve here since his days at Troy. I hope that he improves, but, instructing him to put his hands up has probably been tried.
eball Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 LOL at people who believe re-signing McLovin to a very reasonable contract has ANYTHING to do with the Levitre situation.
QCity Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 that is why he got the contract he did. Period. McKelvin signing signals starting spot in secondary for Bills
Beerball Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 I change my mind every 3.2 seconds anyway It's a girl's perogative.
JESSEFEFFER Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 He has trouble finding the ball and reacting to it when looking over his shoulder thus allowing the receiver to make a better play on it. This could be a peripheral vision, right eye-left eye dominance or the like. Otherwise he covers well and is an elite return man and seems to have a good team first attitude. He handled his demotions by becomming a better return man, for instance. This is a good signing. It's less than Terrance McGee signed for two contracts ago.
bbb Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 I have to ask, how many of those moaning today about the re-signing of Leodis have previously sung the old song about how the Bills have allowed their DBs to walk after their rookie contracts ran out? Not a bad price for a top-flight returner and improving nickel back, and the signing, along with Byrd, makes it that much less likely the Bills will spend a high draft pick on a DB. That makes me very happy, and not just because it is also better for the health of my good friend Bill in NYC. I also hope they re-sign Levtire, but take this signing as a positive rather than a negative even on that score. The team is focused on keeping as much of its own talent as possible. That is all good.. +1
....lybob Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Don't freak out about the money until we know how it'll be distributed throughout the 4 years. exactly right, Please people don't be like Bulldog and think that the per year number and the salary cap number are the same thing - most contracts are heavily backloaded, Mckelvin's cap numbers might be something like 2.5 mil, 4mil, 6mil and 7.5mil with him unlikely seeing that last year unless he's really good.
jaybee Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Say what you want. Leodis is a damn good football player and I'm proud to have him on our team. Love this signing. We're gonna have a competitive team this year. You watch. jb
910BillsFan Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 As everyone I have been confused/furious at times with the fact that no matter how good of a position McKelvin gets himself in he can't locate the ball to save his life. BUT.... 1. We don't know the structure of the deal, I'd bet my house its not 5 mil per year. 2. Every corner in the league is better with a pass rush and everyone (myself included) seems to be excited about Pettine's "attack style" D. I cant remember the last time our D was remotely attacking anything. 3. He is arguably the best returner in the AFC or even NFL. We keep our own, address two positions with one player and appear to have a young nucleus of defensive backs with our highly regarded (by most) D Coordinator. Is the sky really falling??? Or do some live to just piss and moan? GO BILLS!
San Jose Bills Fan Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 When McKelvin returned to the starting lineup in the final third of the season last year, he actually played quite well as a corner. I think he may have turned the corner. Looks like you cornered the market on silly cornerback puns. At least you left us the safeties as a safety net. One would have to think that Pettine looked at every single play Leodis has been in the game in the last 2-3 years and gave his ringing endorsement to this idea or Nix/Whaley/Overdorf/Littman/Brandon never would have signed off on a significant long term contract for Leo. Without a doubt. Then again there are people here who believe that Buddy makes all the decisions in a vacuum. And then you have those who believe that Buddy is no longer part of the decision-making process. It's hard to be a Bills fan in the NFL.
The Big Cat Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 I have to ask, how many of those moaning today about the re-signing of Leodis have previously sung the old song about how the Bills have allowed their DBs to walk after their rookie contracts ran out? Not a bad price for a top-flight returner and improving nickel back, and the signing, along with Byrd, makes it that much less likely the Bills will spend a high draft pick on a DB. That makes me very happy, and not just because it is also better for the health of my good friend Bill in NYC. I also hope they re-sign Levtire, but take this signing as a positive rather than a negative even on that score. The team is focused on keeping as much of its own talent as possible. That is all good.. Exactly.
NewEra Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 More expensive than anticipated, but I think it will pay off and he'll excel with our new coaching staff. Getting rid of Catavolos will help him improve. And we still have the most dangerous returner in the nfl. I love his attitude. Even when he was demoted to the bench he stayed positive and worked hard. I love his enthusiasm for the game. Welcome back Leodis.
Bill from NYC Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 (edited) One would have to think that Pettine looked at every single play Leodis has been in the game in the last 2-3 years and gave his ringing endorsement to this idea or Nix/Whaley/Overdorf/Littman/Brandon never would have signed off on a significant long term contract for Leo. The scenario above is probably true, and most definitely scary. Edited March 9, 2013 by Bill from NYC
Erik Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 The scenario above is probably true, and most definitely scary. And it's not like a NFL defensive coordinator who has overseen 4 Top 10 defenses in as many years would have a keener eye for talent than Bill from NYC
Rockinon Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Thats starting corner money. I not a big fan of this but I hope he proves me wrong. Actually, it's about half way between starter money and kick returner money. lot of folks unhappy about a lights out kick/punt returner?..........sounds like some are longing for the good old Kevin Williams days.....when every kick/punt return went for zilch and special teams was a bore. if pettine can fix the defense, then field position will be huge. 20 mil over 4 years isn't a problem at all. It's a drop in bucket. Let's get that Levitre or Ellerbe signing done next. I was very disappointed with special teams last year because of the rules change of allowing kickers to spot the ball 10 yds further down the field. No one is bringing the ball out when it it is kicked deep into the endzone on every freakin' kickoff. That rule hurt the Bills big time last year. It also decreases the value of a great return specialist.
JohnC Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 The scenario above is probably true, and most definitely scary. The McKelvin signing is a good signing from a talent and value standpoint. He is going to be a starting CB, outside or slot, and he is one of the best returners in the game. His trouble reacting to the ball is well catalogued. But if you factor in that he is a top tier returner his contract is very reasonable. You bring up a very intreguing question regarding the structure of the football operation. Who has the most authority and ultimately who has the final say? Is Nix being phased out and Whaley phased in? I suspect that the post Nix transition is already worked out with Nix leaving the scene after this draft. (At least that is what I hope is so.)
BuckeyeBill Posted March 9, 2013 Posted March 9, 2013 Pettine has a plan for McKelvin. Perhaps a "real" defensive coordinator can find a way to unlock his potential. It looks as though the Bills are going to give it a try!
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