In a span of 64 seconds Saturday, Ellis Lankster accomplished what every seventh-round draft choice hopes to — he made an impression that won’t be forgotten before cut-down day.
The squatty cornerback out of West Virginia had a pair of fourth quarter interceptions that lead directly to touchdowns in the Bills’ 27-20 preseason victory over Chicago.
Afterward, Lankster broke down his first professional highlight as if it was just another day at the office.
“I was just reading it right and reading my man,” he said. “He just threw the ball to my man and I just picked it off.”
Those plays, along with a dropped interception later, built on the ball-haw reputation Lankster has been establishing throughout training camp.
“He has been making a lot of plays in camp and does a great job of getting his nose on the ball,” teammate Leodis McKelvin said.
Early on in training camp, defensive backs coach George Catavolos said Lankster has had his bright spots, but has a ways to go as a technician.
“He makes a lot of plays in practice but he also gives up some plays,” Catavolos said. “Like any rookie, he’s go to understand the system better, he’s got to understand the leverage of the defense, where he’s going to get help, where he needs to be in the run game. He needs to be more consistent, but he looks like he has a promising future.”
Coach Dick Jauron said Lankster’s technique put him in a position to make a play, then once the ball was in his hands, his athletic ability took over.
Lankster has gotten some work in the return game during training camp, and could be in mind for more special teams duty, Jauron said, after gaining 43 yards on his two interception runbacks.
“The Bills already have a set of good returners,” Lankster said recently, “I’m trying to get a spot as a gunner, or blocking for those guys.”
After playing two seasons at Jones County Junior College in Mississippi, Lankster appeared in nine games as a junior at West Virginia, then broke out in his senior year, starting every game and totaling 68 tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumble, and seven pass breakups. He named second-team all-Big East, and was invited to play in the Senior Bowl, but was not asked to participate in the scouting combine.
Watching film of Lankster’s college performances, the Bills were impressed with his physicality.
“We thought he was a tough guy,” Jauron said. “He’ll come and hit you. He likes to play the game.”
The Bills have four cornerbacks who seem certain of making the roster: McKelvin, Terrence McGee, Reggie Corner and Ashton Youboty. Free agent acquisition Drayton Florence was practicing as the starting nickel corner before hurting his knee Saturday.
E-mail reporter Jonah Bronstein at jonah.bronstein@niagara-gazette.com
Rookie Cards
Related Photos
August 16, 2009
BILLS: Ellis Lankster Rookie Card
- Rookie Cards
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BILLS: Ellis Lankster Rookie Card
In a span of 64 seconds Saturday, Ellis Lankster accomplished what every seventh-round draft choice hopes to — he made an impression that won’t be forgotten before cut-down day.
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BILLS: Leodis McKelvin rookie card
Nobody ever said relationships were easy, nor is the jump from mid-major collegiate program to the NFL. For all McKelvin’s electrifying speed and potential, the 11th player chosen in the first round of April’s draft is taking small steps in his development.
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BILLS: Alvin Bowen Rookie Card
• POSITION: Linebacker
• AGE: 25
• DRAFT: Fifth round, 147th overall
• COLLEGE: Iowa State
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WEIGHT: 222
• HOMETOWN: East Orange, New Jersey -
BILLS: Xavier Omon rookie card
Rookie running back gives assigned number special meaning.
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BILLS: Demetrius Bell rookie card
Offensive tackle doesn't let his Madden ranking get to him.
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BILLS: Steve Johnson Rookie Card
Steve Johnson didn’t have to wait for training camp for his welcome-to-the-NFL moment. He learned his lesson away from the playing field this spring.
Johnson was the passenger in a car driven by Bills running back Marshawn Lynch on May 31. Lynch struck a pedestrian and later pleaded guilty to a traffic violation, ending the matter. While the case was pending, however, an intense media spotlight was focused on the situation.
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BILLS: Kennard Cox rookie card
The first in our 10 profiles of the team's drafted rookies looks at the cornerback from Pitt.
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