Archives for April 2008

‘The truth is we can grade the Bills all we want on paper. On paper I like what they did. But until we see these guys in the pads and on the field, we don’t know if this was a good day. But I like the chances that they struck a little gold.’

‘One was a domestic situation involving his girlfriend and child that was ultimately dismissed. The other development was a two game team suspension. Buffalo’s scouting staff investigated and found there was more to Hardy’s story.’

‘"We did stay in the areas where we thought the value was," said Bills Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak. "We had (Hardy) in the second round and we had the number there so it was good. That’s all you can do. You work hard to put those numbers on those people so you better stay with them."’

‘In the 6-foot-5 & 1/2 Hardy the Bills get themselves a target who will stand out among the receiving corps that otherwise did not have a single player last season over six feet tall.’

‘McKelvin, 22, said he was happy to go to a team that had such a strong fan base. "It’s great," the Waycross, Ga., native said from a loud draft party at an Atlanta sports bar. "It’s kind of cold, but I’ll adapt. Buffalo was the first trip I took to visit NFL teams. Buffalo is a great town and a great football town."’

‘”As an organization, we’re really happy with what occurred,” said coach Dick Jauron. “I’m really pleased and it’s a relief in terms of the draft because these are two critical positions on our team. Now we go into the second day a little more at ease. These are two things we spent a lot of time talking about, so we feel good in that regard.”‘

‘”When it’s the red zone, it’s like a light comes on in my mind,” said Hardy, the Bills second-round selection in Saturday’s NFL draft. “I have to get in that end zone, and if the ball is any where in my area, I will get it in there.”‘

‘”From a talent aspect, he’s a terrific athlete who will give you corner support and he has excellent cover skills,” Bills Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak said.’

‘”We feel very good about our day,” Bills Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon said.’

‘"I am really proud of him," Trojan football coach Larry Blakeney said. "He has done things right. He’s a smart guy, and he’ll graduate here soon. The NFL is looking for guys doing the right things in life. Their character and citizenship has become really important, and Leo has all of these things. All of our guys have been those kind of people."’

‘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.”‘