Bills rookies McKelvin, Hardy get their chance
It's been a strange sight for fans of the Buffalo Bills through the first three weeks of the 2008 regular season. No, not just because the Bills have jumped out to a 3-0 start; that's certainly strange around these parts, but not the point here.
The point here is that for the first time in quite a long while, the Bills are playing winning football - rather, they're playing any kind of football - without large contributions from their rookies. Sure, second-round pick WR James Hardy made an outstanding game-winning touchdown catch in the team's win over Jacksonville; yes, top pick Leodis McKelvin has made an impact as a kick returner, registering a 56-yard jaunt in this past Sunday's win over Oakland.
But the Bills' two most prominent rookies have barely played. McKelvin has seen a handful of snaps - almost literally - as a dime back, but he hasn't recorded a stat defensively. Hardy has two receptions for 12 yards and a score through three games, has dropped some passes, and hasn't seen a lot of field time overall. Now, one injury - a thumb that will keep WR Roscoe Parrish out of action for 4-6 weeks - bizarrely forces the Bills to rely on both of their top draft picks to fill the void left by Parrish.
McKelvin to be primary return man
Don't be fooled by head coach Dick Jauron, who yesterday said that punt return duties could be handled by either McKelvin, running back Fred Jackson or receiver Josh Reed. It was McKelvin who handled first-team punt return duties during the pre-season, when Parrish saw no action in that role. It was McKelvin who, despite making a few bad decisions - one leading to a turnover in the pre-season win over Pittsburgh - also made some big plays in that role. It was McKelvin who returned seven career punts at Troy for touchdowns. The kid's explosive, and his forte is returning the punt.
There may be a circumstance or two where the Bills put Jackson back as more of a "punt catcher" (remember Chris Watson?), but McKelvin should and will see most of the work. He's one of the most explosive return men to enter the league since, well, Devin Hester, and it would be a crime if the Bills kept him on the sideline. They won't. McKelvin's style is clearly a bit different than that of Parrish, but they're both effective, dynamic return men. The drop-off will be minimal, but we should be wary of the rookie's decision-making back there. (Of course, Parrish has made some questionable decisions himself.)
Hardy's role likely to expand offensively
It's Hardy, the 6'5" rookie receiver out of Indiana, that has more pressure placed squarely on his shoulders. The team's offensive coordinator, Turk Schonert, has slowly been working Hardy into more and more offensive packages as the team has progressed through its first three games. But we all know the history of rookie receivers - rarely do they make an impact in their first seasons.
But Hardy's not expected to carry the offense by any means. The team will still rely on Lee Evans and Josh Reed as its two main receiving threats (just as they did when Parrish was healthy), and players such as Jackson, Robert Royal and Marshawn Lynch will likely see their roles expand in the passing game as well. Hardy clearly won't need to fill the void alone - but when the ball comes his way, he needs to grab the opportunity. He's got a chance to show that he can be more than a spot contributor and a red zone threat. It'd be nice to see the rook make an impact in the middle of the field, where the Bills haven't been particularly effective throwing the ball to date.
A new era of Buffalo football
The Parrish injury, and his two young replacements, are indicative of a new era of Buffalo football. Gone are the days when Bills rookies were thrust immediately into the starting lineup and expected to play like veterans. Now, Buffalo's most talented youngsters are relied on as depth - something the Bills haven't had much of in recent years. It's time for the rooks to contribute - even if it's only for a few weeks. The Bills are fortunate that their first major injury occurred before the bye week, as it slightly lessens the impact.
So let's go, Leodis and James. We've been anxious to see the kids get some playing time. Now their time has arrived.
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Comments
Have
to agree the one thing that I noticed this year is that of the ?7 rookies that made the team none have had to start, that really says a lot about the depth of this team as in past years that we had to start rookies and live with their mistakes only two years ago we had 2 rookies at the saftey position. That’s how bad our starters were. Even last year we had mutiable starters that were rookies, in the future with a good team we should be able to bring our rookies along slowly and let them mature properly.
Bills Fan in PA
by BILLS on Sep 25, 2008 8:16 AM EDT 0 recs
???
When have rookies been thrust into starting duties for the Bills. It wasn’t during the Levy Era, he was notorious for not staring rookies. I don’t remember Wade Phillips, Gregg, or Mularkey doing it either. Please give examples.
by the Skycap on Sep 25, 2008 9:24 AM EDT 0 recs
Donte Whitner? Ko Simpson? Trent Edwards? Marshawn Lynch? Paul Posluszny?
by Brian Galliford on
Sep 25, 2008 10:06 AM EDT
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Keith Ellison? Kyle Williams?
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on
Sep 25, 2008 10:26 AM EDT
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Thurman Thomas? Antowain Smith? John Fina? Sam Cowart? Jeff Burris? Travis Henry?
Get the Bills back to the big game!
by Blitz on
Sep 25, 2008 10:34 AM EDT
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Bills history
Thurman Thomas, Travis Henry and Antowain Smith weren’t starters as rookies. Brian and killascript your lists are from last year’s team. There weren’t many rookies from the past that came in and started for the Bills.
by the Skycap on
Sep 25, 2008 3:34 PM EDT
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I should have clarified – I’m speaking directly about the Dick Jauron era. This is his third year, and the first he hasn’t had to rely on rookies to play significant roles. That’s changing. That’s all I was trying to say.
by Brian Galliford on
Sep 25, 2008 4:33 PM EDT
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i thought that was clear, plus, doesn’t the past few years still constitute Bills history. Come on now
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on
Sep 26, 2008 8:36 AM EDT
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it is just a matter of putting the best player (available) on the field...
I think McKelvin will be fine in the return game and Hardy has been slowly getting into the action. Let’s see what Justin Jenkins and Steve Johnson can do. The Bills haven’t really opened up the passing game that much yet, but maybe that will change this week.
by LGB on
Sep 25, 2008 10:48 AM EDT
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parrish
dude this sucks! i didnt even realize roscoe was injured. i guess we’ll just have to plug along untill he gets back, hopefully its not anything thats gonna effect his game. should be interesting to see the newbies get in there though. does anybody know when roscoe injuer his thumb?
by BillsFan119 on Sep 25, 2008 10:31 AM EDT 0 recs
About decision making
I’m not gonna lie it seems like half the time Parrish is grabbing the punt any other returner would get destroyed and yet every time he makes that first, second, and third guy miss. His descsion making doesn’t seem like its much better than my boy Leodis but Parrish is the guy who can get away with it. Except for in rare cases such as trying to return it from the endzone last game, he may have been pushing it there
"Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"
by ArenZimm on Sep 25, 2008 8:10 PM EDT 0 recs
Let's all remember...
We’ve watched Leodis so far as a kick returner, Roscoe has been back for us in most punt formations if I remember correctly…. But it was as a punt returner that McKelvin really excelled in college… Both duties take a different mindset as we’ve discussed here before… I personally, don’t think the drop-off will be dramatic, if at all, but I guess we’ll find out… I’ve got to wonder if this also means we’ll see McGee back more to return kicks, or if Leodis will stay there more as well….
As for James… He talks the talk… Now’s his chance to walk the walk….
by Cinga on Sep 25, 2008 8:38 PM EDT 0 recs
I thnk McKelvin does it all, and for the remainder of the year, barring injury, McKelvin wll mostly see the field in returns, and then give back PR duty when Parrish returns
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on
Sep 26, 2008 8:37 AM EDT
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