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May 5--After five practices over three days, the Buffalo Bills completed their rookie minicamp, satisfied the first-year players soaked up a lot of knowledge that they will apply toward challenging for a roster spot this summer.
"We were happy with the way it all went," coach Dick Jauron said after the final session Sunday. "We weren't disappointed with the way anybody looked, any of the invited free agents and certainly any of our draft picks. Now we have to get them back as quickly as we can when they can officially come back, get them into our OTAs [offseason team activities] and into our classroom and into our offseason program. The sooner we can do that, the better for us and for them."
By NFL rule, teams are allowed to hold one post-draft minicamp with rookies. The earliest they can return is May 16, but they can't participate in any team activity until their college has completed exams for the semester.
Jauron expects most of the rookies to be back in Buffalo by May 16.
Before the rookies left town Sunday, Jauron emphasized the importance of staying on top of everything they learned over the weekend because there won't be a lot of time for refresher courses once the veterans joined them.
"I was skeptical about how we ran this camp a year ago because it was the first time I had ever been involved in one where it wasn't a whole team minicamp," Jauron said. "[But] I like the way we get started with these young players because they don't know anything. It's very difficult because the terminology is all different for them and they're very excited. And if they have the veterans around them they're not getting all the reps.
"Were not moving nearly as fast. We're focusing on getting them ready for when they come back for OTAs so they can mix in a little easier right away and they get all our attention."
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Cornerback Leodis McKelvin's first weekend as an NFL player went as smooth as he expected. There was a lot to learn, but he is confident in his ability to handle the transition.
"I feel like I can compete against anybody," the Bills' first-round draft pick said. "When I learn the defense and getting it in my brain a little bit more, I feel like I'm getting better every practice and every day. It's been real good."
McKelvin reiterated that he's aware of the high expectations of being the 11th overall pick, but he also expects to live up to them.
"That's the goal I set for myself coming in, especially being drafted No. 11," he said. "If you're going to draft somebody at No. 11 you don't want him sitting on the bench or waiting for somebody. You want him to come in and play early. I'm going to come in and learn the defense and get better and better."
Jauron said McKelvin and wide receiver James Hardy made a favorable impression on the coaching staff.
"They don't disappoint you athletically," Jauron said. "Leodis is very quick, explosive in his movements. He has a nice feel for things that occur on the field. And he's aggressive. James, you can't hide the fact that he's over 6-foot-5 and he's got real good hands and catches the ball well. The rest of it is going to be technique and familiarizing themselves with the game at this level because it's just a lot better. It's faster and tougher and a lot better. But we're very confident in their skills."
awilson@buffnews.com
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