LEODIS McKELVIN: “Donte didn’t have to do this, but it shows what kind of guy he is.”
Whitner homes in on McKelvin
Safety takes corner under roof to speed learning curve
By Allen Wilson NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Updated: 06/22/08 6:58 AM
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- Donte Whitner, right, said it was only natural for him to take Leodis McKelvin under his wing.
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Entering his third NFL season, strong safety Donte Whitner has already established himself as one of the Buffalo Bills’ most prominent leaders. It’s a role he takes very seriously.
That’s why Whitner is letting rookie cornerback Leodis McKelvin stay at his home in Hamburg this offseason. Whitner’s goal is to shorten McKelvin’s professional learning curve.
“It’s no mystery. We didn’t pick him No. 11 overall in the draft to sit on the bench,” Whitner said. “We picked him at No. 11 because he was the best corner available, he’s a unique talent and he can definitely help this football team. So it’s my job, the coaching staff’s job and everybody else’s job to help make sure his transition is smooth and make sure he gets on the field as soon as possible in order to help our team.”
Whitner decided to make his home available to McKelvin shortly after the draft. Like McKelvin, Whitner was a first-round pick, so he’s well aware of the expectations being placed on someone drafted that high.
While Whitner was able to handle the spotlight, it’s not that easy for most rookies. It helped that former Bills safety Troy Vincent was around to take Whitner under his wing.
Now Whitner wants to do the same for McKelvin.
“When I came into the NFL two years ago, I didn’t know what to expect,” Whitner said. “He’s a rookie in a similar situation that I was in. I know what he’s going through, so I want to help him get through the process as quick and as painless as possible.”
While surprised by Whitner’s gesture, McKelvin said it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“I’ll get a chance to learn the plays even more and get better in the system working and learning from a guy who has been through it,” said McKelvin, who is welcome to stay at Whitner’s home until he finds his own place. “Donte didn’t have to do this, but it shows what kind of guy he is. It’s a great feeling to have guys on the team that care about you. He’s trying to help me learn my plays so I can get on the field faster.”
Whitner, who prides himself on being a student of the game, plans to school McKelvin on all aspects of football. Whitner is heavily into studying film and has a newly built theater in the basement of his house that will provide the perfect teaching environment.
“I can bring him in for one-on-one sessions and watch film from our practices every day,” Whitner said. “I can show him the same things our coaches show us in terms of what we did right and what we did wrong. He’s already learning a lot from studying the playbook and the work he’s doing with the coaches. But at home, I can help can reinforce some things and go over the finer details so it becomes second nature when he gets on the field.”
Although Whitner plays safety, he said it was only natural for him to take McKelvin under his wing because safeties typically call out coverages and tell cornerbacks where to line up.
“Just talking to Donte on the field and in the locker room has helped me cut down on some rookie mistakes,” McKelvin said. “It’s exciting for me to be able to work closely with him away from practice. That’s a big help to me.”
“The game is a totally different game in this league,” Whitner added. “If you’re a weak link out there they are going to attack you. In college you might have a little bit of leeway to do whatever you want and get by on natural ability alone. But here in the NFL you have to have it up top (pointing to his head) and you have to have natural ability, and some luck. That’s what I’m trying to teach.”
Whitner’s lessons don’t stop with football. There is more to being a professional than playing the game; he said, you have to look and act the part as well.
In an offseason that has seen Bills players confronted with legal issues, Whitner said it is important that McKelvin understands he not only has to provide a positive presence on the field, but he also needs to project a positive image away from the game.
“I’ll talk to him about how to handle yourself off the field,” Whitner said. “Things like how he dresses when he’s coming to the facility or when we’re at a team function and how to deal with people and surroundings that are not familiar to him. A lot of those things he already understands, but I just want to make sure he lives by the things that got him to this level.”
No one in the Bills’ organization had to ask Whitner to take McKelvin under his wing. But the team isn’t surprised.
“Donte is a special guy,” coach Dick Jauron said. “When we drafted him we knew he had special skills. What he’s doing with Leodis is an indication of his character and what he believes in. He’s a good teammate and a good leader even though he’s only been in the league a short time.”
Whitner felt it was necessary to pass on what he learned from Vincent. He pointed out that McKelvin is under no obligation to “pay it forward,” but he would not be surprised if McKelvin volunteered to watch over the Bills’ next hotshot rookie cornerback.
According to McKelvin, that’s the least he can do.
“In high school or even in middle school you’re always trying to help the young guys out because there might be somebody that’s going to be real good and can help your team become successful,” he said. “Helping those guys out can go a long way towards that. We’re all trying to win here and get the Bills back to the playoffs. The faster the young guys get to know the defense the faster we get to grow together and win. I know I’ll be a better player because of guys like Donte helping me, so I look forward to doing the same thing to the guys who follow me.”
