Lankster excited after first day as NFL player

Terms of Bills CB Ellis Lankster's rookie deal (at least as they are "believed" to be): 4 years, $2.7 million, non-guaranteed.

Read the article too, though. It's quite good.

4 months ago Brian Galliford 34 comments 0 recs |

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Another late round find for Buffalo?

Time will tell, but the signs look good. Keep up the great work, Lankster.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Jul 9, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps most impressively, Lankster made his mark without returning a single punt or kick, a specialty he thought he could exploit in the NFL.

Anyone seen him return kick or punts?

by Blind Faith on Jul 9, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It won’t hurt his chances of making the roster, but given our glut of talent in the return game, I doubt it’s a priority for the coaching staff.

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by Brian Galliford on Jul 9, 2009 3:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

it would be nice to save mcklovin for the defense

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Jul 9, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe, but not at the expense of our outstanding field position. Until further notice, we need to help our offense as much as possible.

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by Brian Galliford on Jul 9, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is true

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Jul 9, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No it wouldn’t. He’s one of the best kick returners in the NFL. We MUST take advantage of that. He’s not a Pro Bowl CB, so I’m not sure why this would even be a consideration.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 9, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s not a Pro Bowl CB, so I’m not sure why this would even be a consideration.

Wow, the kid has one year under his belt and you’re already convinced he’s not pro-bowl caliber…Give the guy from a small college more than his rookie season to prove himself, K…

I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!

by DBLuv on Jul 10, 2009 5:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think that K was implying that at all. He was merely pointing out that Leo is not yet that great of a CB that we have to stop playing him where he helps us the most just to save him for his CB role.

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Jul 10, 2009 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Understood…And I’m in no way saying that McKelvin should be taken out of the return role…I’m just surprised that he was given less than one year, and a rookie year at that, as a starter before the comments of he’s not that great start…It’s like saying Edwards isn’t all that great based on the two years worth of work we’ve seen thus far…The jury is still out…I think he has potential to be elite, we just need to give him the time to grow into that role…Yes, he was lost at times last year, but he was rookie…What rookie doesn’t have growing pains their first NFL year?

I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!

by DBLuv on Jul 10, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m just surprised that he was given less than one year, and a rookie year at that, as a starter before the comments of he’s not that great start

Again, I didn’t say that.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 10, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t say that you did…

I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!

by DBLuv on Jul 12, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I thought that what this was:

Wow, the kid has one year under his belt and you’re already convinced he’s not pro-bowl caliber…Give the guy from a small college more than his rookie season to prove himself, K…

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 12, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand that you think the kid has talent, and now understand that you were using past tense when implying pro bowl caliber…Was trying not to offend you, as I got my quote from keysh mixed up with what you were saying, that’s all…

I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!

by DBLuv on Jul 13, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m terribly offended. Please don’t speak to me again! :)

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 13, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK…

(Hides tail between legs and runs from keyboard)

But seriously, I’m pretty psyched to see what he & Byrd can do in the same backfield…

I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!

by DBLuv on Jul 13, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t say that. I said he’s not a Pro Bowl CB….meaning now. I’ve said before that he has great potential as a CB.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 10, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha…I thought by you saying “he’s not a pro bowl cb” you meant that you bill-ieved he would never be that…Sorry!!

I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!

by DBLuv on Jul 12, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s got work to do, but he has more than enough ability to get there!

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 12, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

if we have someone that is close to his caliber, returning close to the same average, would it not be a huge lose to have him injured on a return and lose a starting CB

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Jul 10, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who is that? It sure isn’t Lankster. Leo is a difference maker at KR, you don’t take him out of that role.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 10, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you know?

and if there is not then he stays, im just saying if someone could prove they have close to his return ability it would be nice to keep him not only fresh for D but healthy.

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Jul 10, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK Lankster didn’t do anything special as a return man in college, so I wouldn’t expect him to do it…

And this whole McKelvin needs a rest to stay fresh on D is bogus. It never hurt McGee in the past, and since when does 3-4 returns a game, followed by the O being on the field, take so much out of a professional athlete?

I’m sorry, but there’s no way I’m taking Leo out of a role he’s so great at to plug in someone who’s merely okay in comparison, just to keep him supposedly fresher on D….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 10, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not diagreeing with you because I think you are right...

but there is also practice time and film study involved.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jul 11, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the point was to keep him fresh….

Plus, he handled it as a rookie, it couldn’t be much tougher now….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 11, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But he wasn't the starting cornerback...

or at least wasn’t supposed to be. I have no idea how it affects him timewise either on the practice field or in the film room but it has to be some doesn’t it?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jul 11, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I meant as a rookie, he handled the film work and practices quite well. I can’t imagine those areas would be that different for him this year.

Terrence McGee did it for years as a starting CB and top kick returner. I don’t see why Leo should be hampered in anyway by the double duty.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 12, 2009 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The fact that he was a major threat as a return man at Juco AND at the D1-A levels are good signs for this team

I think this means the Bills may be willing to wheel and deal before the trade deadline if Roscoe continues to disappoint the Bills FO. If this kid can provide close to the same level of return skills we will be what, 5 deep in the return man dept? Lets see, Rhodes, McGee, McKelvin, Roscoe, Lankster thats a lot of return men to have on your roster.

If nothing else, it should allow us to keep all these guys fresh.

(443): My mom came into my room and told me to flip off the tv. I gave it the middle finger. Note to self: STOP SMOKING THIS S#!T

-textsfromlastnight.com

by WABillsfan on Jul 9, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+ Fred Jackson

Sweet home Orchard Park.

by thurman on Jul 9, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t exactly say he was a major threat in college. He averaged 8.6 yards per punt return and 24.4 per kick return at WVU. Not exactly Devin Hester out there….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jul 9, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s what I was curious about – his stats and explosiveness. I never meant to imply that he should take over kick or punt returns from McKelvin & Co. Just thought it was interesting and special teams contributions might increase his chances of making the roster.

by Blind Faith on Jul 10, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll get some return time in the preseason probably

Always fun is the preseason, and all the more reason is to see young guys get their chance. Leodis might not return alot of kicks in the preseason, so to keep him fresh and keep what the Bills strategy concerning the new kick return rules are under secrecy as much as possible.

The Bills CAN win any game

by killascript on Jul 9, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ellis Lankster is definitely a sleeper worth keeping a close eye on during Training Camp, though he’ll have his hands full with making the team, because it’s as good as a lock that we keep five safeties (like last year) and barring Drayton Florence plays absolutely horrendous, we’ll have five CB’s (Leodis, Terrence, Ashton, Reggie and Drayton) locked in on our roster.
By no means, am I saying that it’s preposterous to think that he’ll make the roster, but he’ll have to have a great camp to make it.
In all this ‘Ellis Lankster-bandwagon hype’, we’re completely forgetting another CB we drafted out of USC, Cary Harris, who is considered a bigger and more physical CB than Lankster. I know that he was hindered by an injury during minicamp, but I’m confident he’ll give a good impression in training camp.

by BillsfanfromDenmark on Jul 10, 2009 7:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs