Bills vs. Chargers: Justin Rogers Could Start At Cornerback

by Brian Galliford on Dec 6, 2011 9:01 AM EST in Buffalo Bills News

When the Buffalo Bills square off against the San Diego Chargers this weekend, don't be surprised if rookie seventh-round pick Justin Rogers is starting at cornerback.

On Monday, head coach Chan Gailey told reporters that another rookie corner, second-round pick Aaron Williams, isn't as banged up as originally thought, but also that he's not sure that Williams will be available in Week 14. Williams had taken over as a starting corner since Terrence McGee landed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury.

When Williams went down two days ago against Tennessee, the Titans immediately went after his replacement, Leodis McKelvin, with deep balls. That wasn't a problem then, given that the Titans don't have a viable deep passing attack.

Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson, however, are one of the elite deep passing combinations in the NFL. McKelvin will have to play, even if it's just as the nickel back, and if Monday Night Football was any indication, the so-so Chargers are still very capable of taking full advantage of bad cornerback play. Don't be surprised if the Bills try to limit their attacks on McKelvin by putting Rogers outside in base packages and giving McKelvin safety help in nickel and dime looks.

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Yep, Rogers better step up.

Rivers/Jackson were abusing another former Bills corner last night in Ashton Youboty.

Ron Paul 2012

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Dec 6, 2011 9:06 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Wait...

So you’re basically saying here that a rookie 7th round draft pick is better or at least more stable than a 1st rounder? Wow… Mckelvin what happened to you?

"Aw snap, aw snap, come to my macaroni party and we'll take a nap!"

by J0ckam0 on Dec 6, 2011 9:07 AM EST via mobile reply actions

It really is disappointing when we’re talking about feeling more comfortable putting an extremely raw 7th round rookie at the starting CB spot instead of our 4th year #11 overall pick. It’s just disturbing.

"You are every bit as good as everyone else, but not one bit better."
-Eldred Lee

by arbon78 on Dec 6, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

I’m not saying it. I’m saying that the Bills may believe it.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Dec 6, 2011 9:18 AM EST up reply actions

They’ve either given up on McKelvin or this is a new tactic to try and get through to him. It seems like its been all about bolstering his confidence all these years, well that didn’t work, so now lets see if he can take a demotion.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Dec 6, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Rogers may be a special talent

He still has to prove it on the field, but the Bills coaching staff believes they struck gold with Justin Rogers and that they may have ended up with a first-round talent using a seventh-round pick. That seems to be a theme for the Bills — think of Stevie Johnson, or Jason Peters, or Fitz, or Fred Jackson for that matter (although he was a UDFA). Rogers is VERY VERY raw, having come from a small school program where he didn’t learn much of the technical stuff about playing CB and just starting to play in the NFL over the last couple of games, but so far he has certainly looked as if he belongs out there. San Diego may be a big test for him and he may not be ready for it so soon, but ironically he could turn out to be the CB we thought we were getting in McKelvin.

by Macktruck on Dec 6, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

Yep, might be some growing pains, but hope he works out!

by dgrid on Dec 6, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

what happened?

Rogers = Nix
McKelvin = Jauron = bad*

and McKelvin is doing nothing to disprove the equation

"Hallelujah, Noel, be it heaven or hell, the Christmas we get, we deserve"- Greg Lake

by fansince60 on Dec 6, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions

McKelvin was a first rounder how long ago?

I dont think his draft status means very much any more.

by lord gloom on Dec 6, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

We Should Give Him A Nickname.

McKelsuck?

McKelbust?

Any other suggestions?

Girls use hair spray, Men don't.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!

Don't be a Paully!

by The Buffalo Kid on Dec 6, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

I still like MckLovin

Because just like in the movie, he’s pretending he’s something that he really isn’t.

Ron Paul 2012

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Dec 6, 2011 12:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I always liked the “McCoverage” nickname for Leodis and Terrence

"We have an elite pass rushing LB who likes to conserve electricity." -- Munchausen

by crooked5 on Dec 6, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

More like McCushion

Hi-Yo!

~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 Dec 6, 2011 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

How about McBusted......as in coverage :-)

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu

by Joe P. on Dec 6, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

McPentalty??? No wait.........

…… that’s Flo on the deep ball.

"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Dec 6, 2011 6:09 PM EST up reply actions

Yep.....that would be Draytinter Florence

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu

by Joe P. on Dec 6, 2011 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

Rogers was 140 pounds coming out of HS. if he went to a big school he wouldn’t have been a 7th round pick

by StevieStyles13 on Dec 6, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

McKelvin has actually played well in the last two games and had two passes broken up against Hasselbeck. Regardless, it mostly depends whether the Bills meet elite passer Rivers or struggling Rivers.

by DynamicHero22 on Dec 6, 2011 9:35 AM EST reply actions

Saw a small part of the Chargers-Jags game last night

Rivers had all day to throw and that made a big difference in his game.

Watched Jackson burn Youboty by about five yards on a deep TD. Poz was making tackles five yards downfield. And I’m sure glad the Bills didn’t draft Gabbert.

by Rick A on Dec 6, 2011 9:42 AM EST reply actions

Rivers had all day to throw

Uh oh….

"Hallelujah, Noel, be it heaven or hell, the Christmas we get, we deserve"- Greg Lake

by fansince60 on Dec 6, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

Good thing we have all those creative blitz packages… oh wait… yea we’re screwed.

Never confuse movement with action.
~Ernest Hemingway

by NolaBillsFan on Dec 6, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

But when we use creative blitzes (Jet's II 4th quarter), fans light up the coaches.

ed if you do, ****ed if you don’t.

"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop

by lonestar_ak on Dec 6, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

LOL...rec'd

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu

by Joe P. on Dec 6, 2011 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, Gabbert looks like a one-contract pony.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 6, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Hopefully Rogers knows to work the sideline if the Bills run the same coverage and the Chargers call run the same play. Youboty got beat inside for no reason.

"We have an elite pass rushing LB who likes to conserve electricity." -- Munchausen

by crooked5 on Dec 6, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

Also, Gabbert really doesn’t look good (and most of that is on him and his sloppy footwork), but there is almost NO talent around him. I’m not willing to write his whole career off yet. Still glad we didn’t draft him.

"We have an elite pass rushing LB who likes to conserve electricity." -- Munchausen

by crooked5 on Dec 6, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Gabbert

Is a rookie, playing first yr. outa college I think jury’s not even thinking about Gabbert decision quite yet! Good for Jaq’s for taking a chance for a franchise QB. With rookie pay scale way less at stake for team.

Bill's fan since 70's. So tired of fans saying I'm negative! So losing 4 SB and not making play-offs in over a decade makes me negative? Living in denial must be nice!

by buffalobacker on Dec 7, 2011 12:32 AM EST up reply actions

I’m going to feel a little guilty playing Rivers and Jackson in my playoff game this weekend, but only a little. I feel like this is a textbook poor matchup for the Bills in that pressure seems to be the way to disrupt Rivers this season and Buffalo cannot provide any. Give Rivers time and he will hit the deep balls and this seems to be the difference between the dynamic Chargers and the awful Chargers which seem to alternate week-to-week. Factor in the injuries in the secondary for the Bills and this one will get ugly early. 41-20 Bolts.

"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix

by Port Royal on Dec 6, 2011 9:48 AM EST reply actions

Ryan Mathews should run wild too....

Jackson and Floyd are going to be running go patterns all day long. If Byrd is kept back most of the game to try and limit those, the middle of the field will be wide open for the running game and Gates… Fun times.

~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 Dec 6, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

lol

Yeah, great Gates! Royal’s score sounds about right.

Bill's fan since 70's. So tired of fans saying I'm negative! So losing 4 SB and not making play-offs in over a decade makes me negative? Living in denial must be nice!

by buffalobacker on Dec 7, 2011 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

Does McKelvin do anything good? Could he be an effective nickel corner? I know he can’t seem to defend plays down the field but what about underneath routes? What are his strengths?

Never confuse movement with action.
~Ernest Hemingway

by NolaBillsFan on Dec 6, 2011 10:03 AM EST reply actions

ST Gunner

by dgrid on Dec 6, 2011 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

Tasker

think he can be that good?

Never confuse movement with action.
~Ernest Hemingway

by NolaBillsFan on Dec 6, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

No.

Limited time only! Spend $50 & get free S/H w/ code "SHIPFREEUS"

All your tshirt needs.
Follow @twoeightnine

by twoeightnine on Dec 6, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

If he had hands

I’d say try a reversal of the George Wilson move, DB to WR.

But full hand transplants are rarely successful.

by zipper on Dec 6, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

This is going to be an ugly game.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 6, 2011 10:16 AM EST reply actions

fixed it

this going to be another ugly game.

"Hallelujah, Noel, be it heaven or hell, the Christmas we get, we deserve"- Greg Lake

by fansince60 on Dec 6, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Hmm

Here I’ll be a homer and say Bill’s by 3 points. D steps up, even Maybin gets us a sack! Our offense ultimately wins game with yet another CJ 50 yard TD.

Bill's fan since 70's. So tired of fans saying I'm negative! So losing 4 SB and not making play-offs in over a decade makes me negative? Living in denial must be nice!

by buffalobacker on Dec 7, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Torch Parade

Get the kerosine ready this one’s gonna be ugly. When Matt Moore can light you up with an unknown rookie, Rivers is likely to have a career day. Picture Vincent Jackson 20 yds in front of Leodis after he bit on double move, again. How about A. Gates on Scott #43. We have not had an answer to that match up all year.
If the Bills can keep the ball for 50min. we might have a chance..

by backchk on Dec 6, 2011 11:29 AM EST reply actions

Is Justin Rogers really 5'11" as SB Nation lists?

He looks tiny to me while he’s on the field…almost Roscoe size.

If he’s truly 5’11" then I’m not to concerned with him taking his lumps, but if he’s really a couple inches shorter than I worry how he’ll matchup with SD’s big WR’s.

"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop

by lonestar_ak on Dec 6, 2011 4:03 PM EST reply actions