Unfortunately, I will be stepping down as the writer for the Bills and Sabres pages here at MVN.com. It’s been a lot of fun writing and interacting with you readers over the past few years, but it’s time for me to move on. I’ve officially graduated from Northeastern University and have accepted a full-time position with Messenger Post Newspapers.

I really appreciate those of you who have taken the time to read my thoughts on the Bills and Sabres over the years. I will continue to be a Bills and Sabres fan of course, but I just won’t be writing about them for now.

Thanks again,
Dan Goldman

I believe it was after the Patriots took quarterback Kevin O’Connell. Mort said that he talked to Donahoe before the draft and the worst decision maker in NFL history had the QB in his top three. At that point, I decided O’Connell would accomplish little in this league.

The Bills receive a lot of flak on ESPN and the NFL Network for being out of the playoffs since 1999. Yet few people point to the reason for this. So, I was pleased to read that ESPN’s Gregg Easterbrook pointed this out in his Tuesday Morning Quarterback: 2008 Draft Review.

Here is the relevent excerpt:

The Bills are still reeling from the final two years of bumbling former president and general manager Tom Donahoe; his 2004 and 2005 drafts produced just one player expected to start in 2008: receiver Lee Evans. Donahoe was also the genius who let Pat Williams go, though Bills owner Ralph Wilson strongly wished to re-sign the Ticonderoga-class defensive tackle. Donahoe told Wilson that Williams was washed up; since being shown the door at Buffalo, Williams has been voted to two Pro Bowls. Note that after being shown the door himself in 2006, Donahoe has not worked in football.

Bottom line for a web of Bills trades over the past year: Buffalo surrendered the complaining Willis McGahee and the fading Takeo Spikes for Trent Edwards, Marcus Stroud and a late draft choice. That’s the kind of sharp management decision making the Bills lacked under Donahoe. But note, Buffalo has not made the playoffs since abandoning red, white and American flag blue — not to put too fine a point on it, but the single most successful color scheme in world history — for its current hideous livery based on a hue TMQ calls Rusting Russian Dreadnaught Aft Bulkhead Cyanic. Plus the new Bills road uniforms look like toddlers’ pajamas. Please Bills, simply return to your handsome old unis. No questions will be asked.

Thank you Mr. Easterbrook. I know Mort and his NFL Live colleagues would never point out this fact. Mort is too busy kissing Donahoe’s behind to get “inside information.” If the Bills had the Chiefs draft this year, Mort would’ve ripped it.

On the plus side, Mike Mayock from the NFL Net and ESPN’s Todd McShay have both been praising the 2008 Bills draft.

“They can share it,” McKelvin said. “They are going to have to give me some time. I’ve been doing it the past four years and nothing but great things have come out of it.”

The rookie does have a point. In four years at Troy University, McKelvin returned seven punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. Despite having only two offensive touches, he racked up a school record 3,909 all-purpose yards. He holds the NCAA Bowl Subdivision record for kick return yardage with 3,817, breaking Deltha O’Neal’s previous mark of 3,455. The seven punt returns are one shy of the NCAA record set by Wes Welker.

Those are some quality numbers but Roscoe Parrish and Terrence McGee haven’t been half bad in Buffalo.

In his five years with the Bills, McGee has emerged as an elite kick returner. In those years, he’s averaged 26.4 yards-per return with five touchdowns and 23 returns of 40-plus yards. 2004 was the year McGee broke out with three touchdowns and in 2005, he upped his return average to a career-high 30.2 with one touchdown. However, since then his average has declined to 26.1 in 2006 and 24.0 in 2007.

McKelvin only averaged 23.6 yards on kick returns in college with one touchdown, but it may be a good idea to protect McGee. You don’t want your best corner to get hurt. The team took Nate Clements off punt return duties later in his career.

The argument to get rid of Parrish isn’t as strong. He just signed an extension through the 2011 season, after leading the league with a 16.3-yard return average. Parrish has two touchdowns in his career, 18 returns of 20-plus yards and four returns of 40-plus yards. McKelvin may have been dominant in college, but Parrish is already among the league’s best.

The best I can propose is a split of time on punts. I’m sure Bobby April will devise some trick play involving both players with a reverse.

Here is a video of McKelvin’s work at Troy:

Who do you think should be the starting returners in 2008?

First round pick Leodis McKelvin claimed No. 28, which was last worn by running back Anthony Thomas. If you picked up a cheap Thomas jersey, you could change the nameplate to save yourself some money.

Second round pick James Hardy claimed No. 81, the number Peerless Price used the past two seasons. Hopefully, he has a bit more success than Price.

Third round pick Chris Ellis chose No. 93, last used by Anthony Hargrove. However, Hargrove is now suspended for a full year and isn’t under contract.

Xavier Omon is going with No. 25, previously used by Kiwaukee Thomas. Kennard Cox takes No. 38, last worn by Jerametrius Butler. Tight end Derek fine has been assigned No. 86, last worn by Michael Gaines.

Wide receiver Steve Johnson took No. 13. Cornerback Reggie Corner will wear No. 27, Alvin Bowen gets No. 50 and Demetrius Butler is No. 77.

So here is a summary of the Bills 2008 draft. Click the links to read the full post about each player. Some have videos too.

The Picks

First Round - No. 11: CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy University - With every cornerback and wide receiver available, the Bills went with the top-ranked corner in the draft. McKelvin can fly with a 4.38 40-yard dash time. The question is with his hands, as he only picked off four passes in college. Additionally, he is a dangerous return man. The team could’ve gambled with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but McKelvin is more polished and should make an immediate impact for Buffalo. Link to post and video.

Second Round - No. 10 (41 overall): WR James Hardy, Indiana University - The decision to go with a corner in the first worked out, as the Bills had their choice of Hardy, Limas Sweed and Malcolm Kelly in the second. Hardy measures up at 6-5 and 3/8, making him the tallest Bills receiver by a wide margin. He also runs a 4.47 40. In three years with Indiana, Hardy recorded 191 receptions, 2,740 yards and 36 touchdowns. Also, will contribute this year. Link to post and video.

Third Round - No. 9 (72 overall): DE Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech - He is one of the faster defensive ends in the draft with a 4.71 40 time and is a skilled pass rusher. The last Bills defensive end to come out of VT was the great Bruce Smith in 1985. Ellis recorded 22 sacks in his career and 82 QB pressures. Could be a situational pass rusher immediately. Link to post and video.

Fourth Round - No. 15 (114 overall): CB Reggie Corner, Akron University - I think the Bills reached here and I was a bit surprised they took another corner so early. While McKelvin has questionable hands, that’s not the story with Corner (it’s confusing with the last name also being his position). The Akron product recorded 15 interceptions over his career. Buffalo feels that if he weren’t 5-10, he would’ve gone much higher. Link to post.
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He is 6-0, 195 pounds and runs a 4.58, which isn’t good for a corner. But he is the second corner on the Bills roster to top 6-feet. William James is the other at 6-1.

Cox is the 30th corner back taken in the draft this year, but NFL Draft Countdown has him ranked No. 27, one ahead of Corner. Here’s what their scouting report says about him:

Strengths:
Good size and bulk with long arms…Smooth athlete with fluid hips…Displays good footwork…A reliable tackler…Tough , strong and physical…Is very aggressive with good anticipation….Self-assured and has a short memory….Terrific special teamer.

Weaknesses:
Doesn’t have outstanding timed speed or quickness..Lacks a burst to recover and close…Marginal hands and ball skills…Questionable awareness…Could be limited schematically…Might be a bit of a ‘tweener…Just two years of starting experience.

Notes:
Cousin, Torrie Cox, was a standout defensive back at Pitt ( 1999-2002 ) and now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers…Could also project to safety…An underrated prospect who could be a late round surprise..Best fit may come in a zone defense.

As a senior in 2007, Cox recorded 32 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception. Over his career, he has 98 tackles, 12 pass breakups and two interceptions.

If I’m a cornerback on Buffalo’s roster, a fire has started brewing under my behind over the weekend. The Bills have now selected three cornerbacks in the draft. Leodis McKelvin at No. 11 overall, Reggie Corner in the fourth round, and now Cox in the seventh. The cornerback competition should be insane this summer with eight on the roster. Terrence McGee, McKelvin, William James, Jabari Greer, Dustin Fox, Ashton Youboty, Corner and Cox.

Here is an interview with Cox:

Well, that is it for the 2008 draft, I’m going to post a summary and grade of the full draft. After that, I’m done for today.

What do you think about the Kennard Cox pick?

Johnson measures in at 6-2 and 200-pounds. After two years at Chabot College, Johnson enrolled at the University of Kentucky. He struggled to adjust, ending up in the coach’s doghouse for a poor work ethic. Johnson caught just 12 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown in 13 games that season.

He worked hard in the off-season to earn 10 starts in 2007. In those games, Johnson caught 60 balls for 1,041 yards (17.4 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. The stats were good enough to earn a sot on the All-SEC first team.

Johnson doesn’t have a lot of bulk yet, but his height and 4.55 40-time make him a possession receiver candidate. He isn’t afraid to use his 32.5-inch vertical to go up and fight for balls.

NFL Draft Countdown has him ranked as the 29th-best receiver in the draft class. The site also has a scouting report:

Strengths:
Terrific natural athlete…Very good size and bulk with long arms…Quick and plays faster than he times…Outstanding leaper…Great ball skills and body control…Big play threat who came through in the clutch…Still improving and has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Does not have great timed speed…Not real explosive and lacks a burst…Needs to improve as a route runner…Not real strong or physical…Raw and needs technique work…Inconsistent with lapses in concentration…Just two years of DI experience.

Notes:
His cousin, Marquise Lewis, played football at Kentucky State…Didn’t play football in high school until his junior year…A JUCO transfer from Chabot College..Basically a one-year wonder..Really put himself on the map with a huge senior season and he actually outperformed his more highly publicized teammate and fellow prospect Keenan Burton..Is unpolished but has some intriguing physical tools to work with.

Here is a video from ESPN after Kentucky upset LSU. Johnson scored the game-winning touchdown:

Johnson will have a chance to contribute immediately on special teams and will be given a shot to win the No. 5 receiver spot in training camp. Lee Evans, James Hardy, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish have a hold on the top four. Johnson is another big target for Trent Edwards to find.

According to BuffaloBills.com, Johnson is good friends with running back Marshawn Lynch, having grown up across in San Francisco. They both support Family First, an organization of athletes who support the Bay Area community.

The Bills have one more pick today, the No. 251 overall pick (second-to-last overall). It should be another project type of player.

What do you think of Steve Johnson?

The 6-5, 303-pound Bell could provide depth along the team’s offensive line.

He went to Northwestern State on a basketball scholarship and never played football. Bell made the football team regardless and played defensive end in 2005. In 2006 he moved to left tackle and started the next 22 games.

Sounds like his a bit of a project like Jason Peters, but if he played basketball, he probably has the footwork to succeed. At the combine he showed off a 26.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot, one-inch broad jump.

According to NFL Draft Countdown, he is the 20th-ranked tackle in the draft. The site says he has good size with room to get even bigger. Bell’s agility makes him great in pass protection. However, Bell is raw, not as strong as tackles should be and faced a low level of competition.

He is reportedly the son of former NBA star Karl Malone.

It may take a while for Bell to have an impact in Buffalo, due to how raw he is. But, it is a need, with only Kirk Chambers, Matt Murphy, Nevin McCaskill, Christian Gaddis, Duke Preston, Jason Whittle and Patrick Estes backing up the offensive linemen. I like the pick and think he is worth the risk.

Here is a video about Bell:

Post your thoughts in a comment.

This is by far the most baffling of Buffalo’s picks in the draft. I thought they would go center here, but the team elected to go with a non-need position.

The Bills drafted two running backs last year in Marshawn Lynch in the first round and Dwayne Wright in the fourth. Additionally, Freddie Jackson emerged as a solid No. 2. The team did release Anthony Thomas, but was another really needed?

Omon is 5-10, 228 pounds, runs a 4.52 40-time and has a 38 1/2-inch vertical. Since he lacks elite speed, he does a lot of physical running. Last year, Omon was the top among DII backs with 2,337 yards (6.3 avg.) and 37 touchdowns. He has run for over 1,500 yards in four different years. No player has ever done that in any division. In his four-year career, Omon compiled 7,073 rushing yards (5.6 avg.) and 92 touchdowns.

The production and durability make him a candidate to be a No. 2 back at the NFL level.

Here is what NFLDraftcountdown.com says:

Strengths:
Has excellent size and bulk…Strong and powerful…Tough inside runner…Does not go down easily and will pick up yards after contact…Nice vision and instincts…Has pretty good hands…Physical and punishes defenders…Offers some versatility…Is a very good blocker…Proven workhorse with a lot of experience…Real productive.

Weaknesses:
Does not have great timed speed…Not very quick or explosive…Isn’t very elusive and doesn’t have much wiggle…Not a big play threat…Won’t get outside and turn the corner at the next level…Ball security is an issue…Really has a ton of mileage on his tires and durability may be a concern…Did not play against top competition.

Notes:
Could also potentially project to fullback in the NFL…Division II’s leading rusher in 2007 and led his team to the National Championship game…North / South runner who is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none..Not starting material but can make a roster and contribute in a number of different ways…Was dominant as his level and has emerged as one of the best small school prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Could Buffalo’s plan be to use Omon at fullback?

In his NFL.com profile the 23-year-old says his proudest moment off field is: “Every day is a great moment because of my decision not to drink or smoke, which make me a good role model.” Have to like that answer.

Here is a highlight video:

What do you think of the Oman pick? Post a comment.