National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
As any National Football League backup will tell you, he’s just one play away from being the starter. And when given the opportunity, you’d better make the most of it. Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Leodis McKelvin did just that today. Leodis has been a difference maker on special teams this season, leading the NFL in kick return yardage (1,140). But as a starter in the Bills secondary this afternoon, Leodis intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown in a 54-31 blowout win at Kansas City:
“It felt like I was in college. My first …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
As fortunate as the Buffalo Bills have been with injuries (or lack thereof) this season compared to 2007, the team lost one of their key players today when receiver/kick returner Roscoe Parrish underwent surgery on his thumb that will sideline him roughly 4-6 weeks. Head coach Dick Jauron explained:
“Roscoe we anticipate will be out for a good while. We’re hoping four to six weeks in that range. That obviously sets us back a little bit. But it’s probably as good as the news could be when we first heard about the injury ….. It wasn’t …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
In the first of eight games the Buffalo Bills will play in Toronto through 2012 (five regular season and three preseason), the first team offense looked very sharp in a 24-21 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Trent Edwards was 9-of-11 for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a critical 22-yard run from his own endzone. Tight end Robert Royal caught both of those TD passes from Trent. Wide receiver Lee Evans had three catches for 55 yards. And despite missing Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (still a training camp holdout), the …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Buffalo Bills first round Draft pick Leodis McKelvin signed a five-year, $19.4 million deal (with $12.6 million in bonuses) late yesterday. He missed the first two days of Bills training camp, and while any time missed is significant, especially for a rookie, he should be able to get caught up quickly thanks to his participation in OTAs this past offseason. Leodis was understandably thrilled and ready to hit the field:
“I’m really happy. I’m ready to come to camp and get things started with the team and compete and help the team out. …read more

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Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner has not only been preparing himself for the 2008 football season, he’s been mentoring incoming rookie defensive back Leodis McKelvin as well. Entering just his third NFL season, Donte has already come to be known as a team leader by Bills head coach Dick Jauron. Safeties are known for being leaders in the defensive secondary and Donte has not taken his role lightly. In offseason workouts, he took Leodis (Buffalo’s first-round Draft choice this year) under his wing to ease his NFL transition. Donte even offered his …read more

Image details: 2008 NFL Draft served by picapp.com
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
NFL Draft guru Lloyd Vance (Taking it to the House) and I got together in the press box at Radio City Music Hall to compare notes on the entire first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Here’s a recap of our thoughts.
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS – Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Lloyd: This is the safest pick in the Draft. Jake is signed, sealed and delivered. What you get with Jake Long is an NFL-ready player. He should be able to contribute right away and fill a hole that’s …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
It was the final day of the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine and I just realized that some of the coaches and administrators (like those involved with the league’s competition committee) have been in Indianapolis for more than a week now. You would think with this much time in Indy to evaluate players, it would be enough. But team or individual Pro Days are next, (many of them during March) where NFL prospects get a “home field advantage”. At any rate, today featured workouts from the defensive backs — corners and safeties.
When I …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Mike Mayock watches college football’s best players. All year. That’s all he does. I only pick up on who’s good in college football from time-to-time, becoming especially attentive around Combine time, of course. Mike and I joked about his job a couple years ago during an interview because he thought it was “pretty sad” to be so devoted to this cause. Well, it’s turned into a nice career for the NFL Network Draft guru. He now rivals ESPN’s Mel Kiper as the foremost authority on the NFL Draft. Anyway, Mike released his Top …read more