Bills release McKelvin; Glenn signs franchise tender

The Buffalo Bills freed up $3.9 million in 2016 salary cap space by releasing veteran defensive back Leodis McKelvin, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.

The team announced the move Friday.

Meanwhile, starting left tackle signed his franchise-tag tender, amounting to $13.7 million.

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Rex: CB McKelvin 'not that healthy,' could miss opener

Leodis McKelvin had a setback this summer while dealing with his foot injury. Thursday, Rex Ryan revealed just how significant that setback was.

"He's not that healthy," Ryan said via BuffaloBills.com. "We have to move on and when Leodis is ready it'll be great to get him.

"I know he's going to be back at some point. I can’t tell you if it’s going to be the first game, but it’s a significant injury."

Ryan said he expects to see McKelvin at some point this season but couldn't pinpoint exactly how long his rehab will take. In the meantime, and as we profiled Wednesday, Ryan and Co. feel second-round draft pick Ron Darby is more than capable of filling McKelvin's shoes on the edge opposite Stephon Gilmore.

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Ron Darby's progress 'silver lining' in McKelvin injury

Leodis McKelvin was one of the only Bills players to call Ronald Darby after his second-round selection in the 2015 draft.

Offering guidance and being "real supportive," the veteran has helped the youngster get quickly acclimated to pro life, both on the field and in the film room.

That help seems to have paid off, as Darby has been tasked with replacing McKelvin with the No. 1's in training camp as McKelvin continues to deal with a lingering ankle injury.

According to GM Doug Whaley, that work with the starters has been the one positive to come out of McKelvin's extended absence.

"For us, we’re not worried because we know what Leodis can do and it gives us an added opportunity to see Ronald Darby against the 1's," he said via WGR Sports Radio 550. "We’re glad it happened early in camp so he can go against the ones throughout camp, rather than having him go against the 2's throughout camp and then Week 1 he has to start.

"So the silver lining is in when (McKelvin’s injury) happened."

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With McKelvin to IR, Bills bring in Rambo

BY EDITOR

The Buffalo Bills announced Monday they have signed defensive back Bacarri Rambo and placed cornerback Leodis McKelvin on Injured Reserve.

Rambo was a sixth-round pick for the Washington Redskins in 2013 and started a couple games at safety before getting demoted due to poor play. He saw action in 11 games and tallied 43 tackles and a sack last year.

The Redskins released the 6-0, 211-pound Georgia product after Week 2 of this season.

Bills' defense keeping big plays to a minimum

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was brought in largely because of his history of effectively stopping the run. So far, he's living up to the reputation.

Two weeks in, the Bills defense has held opposing rushers to under 100 total yards in each game, giving up an average of 83 yards per matchup.

That good enough for fifth-best in the league thus far, and it's been the cornerstone of the unit's success, according to cornerback Leodis McKelvin.

Marrone: Return game just waiting for opportunity

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

At this time last year, the Buffalo Bills' special teams squad was a force to be reckoned with. A year later, it's just a force waiting for a chance to prove it's still got it.

Led by some head-strong runs from cornerback Leodis McKelvin, Buffalo's return game was no joke last season, averaging nearly 19 yards on punts and 28 yards on kickoffs. The team as a whole had three total return touchdowns, including one in prime time during a divisional bout with the Miami Dolphins.

What a difference a year can make.

Bills' secondary re-aligning to its original self

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With safety Jairus Byrd and cornerback Stephon Gilmore another week into their return to game action, the Buffalo Bills' secondary is starting to take on its original shape.

Aaron Williams, who lined up primarily at cornerback the last few games despite entering the season as a safety, is transitioning back to centerfield as the perimeter of the defense gets healthier.

Williams lined up next to Byrd in practice Wednesday with Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin on the outside, according to WGR550's Joe Buscaglia. BuffaloBills.com's Chris Brown also noted the shift.

Big plays spell doom for Bills in Cleveland

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Buffalo Bills played OK through most of their Thursday night battle with the Cleveland Browns, but when they weren't OK, they paid for it.

Buffalo gave up scoring streaks of 17 and 20 points in the first and second half, respectively, en route to a deflating 37-24 loss.

"When you look at the game we gave up big plays," Bills coach Doug Marrone said after the game. "We gave up the big play on special teams, we gave up some big pass plays and we didn't make any big plays on offense.

Gilmore injury throws wrench into Bills' plans

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Mike Pettine's defense relies its players being interchangeable, not only to cause confusion but to also fill in for those inevitable injuries. Problem is, not just anyone can replace the key pieces to the puzzle.

Such is the case with the Buffalo Bills' No. 1 cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who fractured his wrist during the team's third preseason game against the Washington Redskins Saturday. The injury puts Gilmore on the sidelines for an estimated six to eight weeks.

Moreover, it throws a bit of a wrench into the core of Pettine's game plan, which relies on strong corner play to be able to handle man coverage during various blitzes.

Time is now for McKelvin to earn starting job

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

One of the final edicts laid out by former general manager Buddy Nix before his departure was his choice for the No. 2 starting cornerback gig — 27-year-old Leodis McKelvin.

While McKelvin has shined as a special teams player, his performance as a defensive starter has been less than impressive. Though much of that disappointment has been targeted at how McKelvin was utilized in last season's defensive scheme, the fact remains that he's yet to prove his consistency and worth as an every-down defensive back. 

The six-year vet's chance to do just that has arrived, as his lingering groin injury seems to now be resolved. McKelvin took over first-string duties at the No. 2 spot earlier this week following a Justin Rogers hamstring injury; he'd been mainly working out with the second-team unit.

Marrone 'satisfied' with Bills' depth at cornerback

BY NICK ST. DENIS

In a Buffalo Bills defense that is expected to improve under new coordinator Mike Pettine, cornerback remains a question.

New Bills coach Doug Marrone is confident there will be answers sooner than later. (photo: Angelina Purpura, Flickr)

“I am (satisfied) with the depth there,” Marrone recently told Buffalobills.com. ”I think we have competition there. I think Stephon Gilmore had a great spring camp. He’s done a really nice job. I’m looking forward to seeing who that third or fourth corner is."

Bills' cornerback corps 'not really a veteran group'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

When 25-year-old Justin Rogers is one of the chaperones of a defensive unit, you know it's young.

As Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com noted Tuesday, the average age of the Bills' secondary is 23. So with Rogers and reserve Crezdon Butler the next-oldest cornerbacks to the 27-year-old Leodis McKelvin, Rogers has found himself pridefully helping along the rookies. (photo: Angelina Purpura, Flickr)

"It’s not a really veteran group we have," Rogers told Brown. "Leodis is the most experienced, but I do have a couple years so I try to help when I can.”

McKelvin set to compete for starting cornerback job

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Leodis McKelvin is confident he can be a defensive starter in the NFL. So is his new head coach.

The Buffalo Bills held a press conference Monday to officially announce McKelvin’s re-signing, and coach Doug Marrone made sure to pass along his vote of confidence for the playmaking special teamer and defensive back.

“We’re excited that Leodis remains on our roster,” Marrone said in a statement, via buffalobills.com. “Obviously, he is one of the most exciting kick returners in the game today, but we’re also counting on him to be very competitive for the starting corner position opposite Stephon Gilmore. We feel he could play an important role in our defense moving forward.” (photo: Angelina Purpura, Flickr)

King says Titans will 'go out hard' for Bills' Levitre

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Buffalo Bills covered two of their top three in-house free-agent priorities over the last week, franchise-tagging safety Jairus Byrd and re-signing return man/cornerback Leodis McKelvin.

But guard Andy Levitre, one of the Bills' best players on offense, is poised to hit free agency.

At least five other teams are reportedly prepared to partake in the Levitre sweepstakes, including the Tennessee Titans.

Bills a step closer to completing free-agent wish list

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Two down, one to go.

Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix said during the NFL Combine just two weeks ago that he had three key free agents to solidify before March 12. He got one step closer Saturday, as the team reportedly re-signed cornerback and return man Leodis McKelvin to a multi-year contract. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)

According to Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News, McKelvin agreed to a four-year contract worth a little more than $20 million. More than a third of that, $7.5 million, is reportedly guaranteed money.

Report: Leodis McKelvin, Bills talks to happen soon

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The Buffalo Bills' electric return man could be returning for another season, and the deal may be done by week’s end.

Leodis McKelvin shined on special teams last year for Buffalo, a bright spot in the team’s otherwise disappointing season. General manager Buddy Nix expressed during the Combine his desire to retain McKelvin, not only as a returner but as a starting corner, as well. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)

McKelvin’s agent Hadley Engelhard told John Wawrow of the Associated Press Thursday that talks between the two sides could happen as early as tomorrow, but that most of the heavy lifting will be done on the first day of the new “legal tampering” period, which starts Saturday and goes until Monday.

Bills GM Nix: McKelvin a priority in free agency

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Buffalo Bills cornerback/return man Leodis McKelvin certainly made some waves this year as the core of the special teams squad. Apparently, waves that big reach all the way up to the front office.

When speaking with Tim Graham of the Buffalo News on Thursday, Bills general manager Buddy Nix mentioned McKelvin as a must-have from the team’s free agent pool, seeing him as not only a key playmaker on returns but in the defensive backfield, as well.

"Leodis has got to have some help, but he's a big-time returner,” Nix said. “I think Leodis will be a candidate for that spot." (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)

McKelvin IRed after stellar punt return campaign

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Leodis McKelvin's spectacular campaign at punt return will come to an end a little early, as the 27-year-old utility player was placed on Injured Reserve Thursday.

McKelvin has lead the league all season in punt return average, and he currently sits 10th on the all-time single-season list behind Lemar Parrish, who was the last to put up more than 18.7 yards per return back in 1974, according to Pro Football Reference. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)

The all-time leader in punt-return average is Jack Christiansen, who put up 21.5 a return with Detroit Lions in 1952.

Return game pivotal in Bills' matchup with Seahawks

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Special teams will be at a premium when the Buffalo Bills take on the Seattle Seahawks Sunday.

Buffalo leads the NFL in punt returning, averaging 17.2 yards a pop, with Leodis McKelvin gaining a league-best 18.7 yards a return and having already taken back two for touchdowns. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)

McKelvin is also gaining 28.3 yards per kick return, which ranks fifth in the NFL.

“We’ve got our hands full this week for sure," Seahawks special-teamer Heath Farwell, who leads Seattle in coverage tackles, said, via Seahawks.com.

Colts give Bills' special teams taste of own medicine

BY NICK ST. DENIS

No punt returner in the NFL has been better than Leodis McKelvin this season. But Sunday, he wasn't even the best returner on the field.

That honor went to Indianapolis Colts returner T.Y. Hilton.

We expected McKelvin and the Bills' punt return team, which leads the league in touchdowns and had one two weeks ago against the Miami Dolphins, to be a difference-maker against the Colts. However, Indianapolis gave Buffalo a taste of its own medicine.

Hilton returned a punt for a touchdown early in the first quarter, and the Colts never relinquished the lead in ousting the Bills 20-13. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)