Bills’ Lankster strives to be more than a footnote

By Anthony Bialy  |   Monday, June 08, 2009  |  Comments( 65 )

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The best-named Buffalo Bills draftee has been the most pleasant surprise. Ellis Lankster owns a Tom Wolfe novel’s protagonist-quality name, and the mellifluously designated 220th overall selection is already working to get it on the back of a pro jersey. The defensive back can make his play as memorable at his moniker by focusing on doing basic things well. He’s already breaking up passes, and he just needs to exhibit a thirst for smashing into everything when contact comes into play.

He’s already practicing above his draft spot. Lankster has been getting ample repetitions during sessions so far, a reward for making plays on the ball. He even managed to nudge his way in at first-team nickel corner during some of last week’s unofficial activities. It was mostly either in relief or when the squad was depleted, but it’s nonetheless a great step for a player the Bills weren’t necessarily expecting to excel.

Lankster, who spent two years at junior college before moving on to West Virginia, is making a quick adjustment to a bigger stage. That could mean he has room to improve. With only two seasons of Division 1-A football under his belt, he could still pick up intricacies through activities, minicamps and regular summer training. It’s a little late, but he’s currently improving his draft stock.

The high school basketball point guard presumably had the hands but not the speed to play wideout, which worked out for the Mountaineers. He showed a knack for wrecking opposing pass plays, intercepting three balls and defending another seven last year. He was also sharp enough to force rushers inside and sound enough to accordingly make tackles.

As the latest of the late picks, Lankster obviously has to continue stopping passes through practice to get regular-season defensive snaps. But he could get more playing time regardless by pitching in on special teams. Specifically, Lankster could get a chance to bring back kickoffs and punts, both of which he did during his time as a Mountaineer.

With the team still considering shipping wideout Roscoe Parrish to another NFL city, punt returner could be an open position. Also, another cornerback’s improved play could be for Lankster’s gain: If Leodis McKelvin manages to hold on to a starting corner spot, coaches could in turn decide to stop exposing the second-year man to risk and fatigue on kickoffs.

The problem is earlier draftee Jairus Byrd also fielded and ran back punts in college, and will presumably be in the mix. But the particular competition isn’t Lankster’s only chance to get on the turf. Even if he doesn’t win a returning job, Lankster could get work hitting foes on those same returns. As a coverage man, he would be showing in real time how much he likes initiating collisions and inflicting pain on those in his path.

But at this rate, the Alabama native might be applying for cornerback time this season. It’s tremendously early, and he’ll likely participate in kicking plays no matter what, but Lankster’s nose for interdiction is making him a surprising early candidate for rotation into the secondary.

The best thing about being the draft’s 37th-last pick is that he’ll impress with any and every contribution. Lankster is already displaying an ability to play simple, sharp football; that’s the best way for him to make a name for himself.
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