subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Fri, Nov 20 2009 

Published: May 23, 2009 10:26 pm    print this story  

BILLS: Trimmed McCargo hopes to turn corner

By Tim Schmitt
Greater Niagara Newspapers

ORCHARD PARK John McCargo tries to keep it all in perspective. He’s a professional football player. A guy who commands a hefty salary in an era where jobs are quickly being shed.

And even though the former first-round draft choice from North Carolina State was sent to Indianapolis last season in a deal that only fell through because he failed a physical, McCargo’s attitude is simple ’ work with what’s in front of you.

’It’s a business. And you have to remember it’s a business,’ McCargo said. ’But this is a new day.’

McCargo’s journey has surprisingly come full circle. The Bills were so high on him out of college that they drafted him a round before many expected he’d go.

His stock dropped so fast that he was deemed expendable last season, and if not for a bulging disk in his back, his career as a Bill would have ended unceremoniously, with a total of 35 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

But after an off-season in which he remained in Buffalo, shed a few pounds, and committed himself to pro football, McCargo could be an ace up the Bills’ sleeve.

’He’s a little older and a little more experienced. He understands the game better. He was a young player coming out,’ said Bills head coach Dick Jauron. ’He looks as quick or maybe quicker than I’ve seen him look. He’s had his best offseason with us in the weight room, in terms of conditioning, and then his health.’

McCargo’s weight is just a pound or two over 300, about a dozen pounds less than when he last played. Although he insists weight issues haven’t hampered him in the past, he seems determined to eliminate any and all excuses. And although that means he’s giving up a little in run stuffing as a defensive tackle, it should give him more jump off the line in passing situations.

And if he can simply stay healthy enough to play, that will already be more than what the Bills have gotten from McCargo through most of his first three years in the league.

’I didn’t lose my confidence, but it was frustrating not playing,’ he said. ’I’m 100 percent confident I can play well, and I can play well here. Hopefully, I can turn that corner.’

McCargo’s conditioning gave him a new look at the team’s organized team activities, which start up again on Tuesday.

’He feels good and he doesn’t have any aches right now. Obviously, during the season, everybody’s got aches,’ Jauron said. ’He doesn’t have that constant aching that he’s had, so it frees him up and he’s taking advantage of it so far, he’s just got to keep doing it.’

And at this point, that’s exactly what McCargo has done, keeping a positive attitude even with last year’s trade.

’I needed to get over it. It happened,’ McCargo said. ’I’ve just got to try to change myself. I’m not listening to all that other stuff.’

Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.

print this story  

Photos


THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FULL-SPEED AHEAD: Buffalo Bills defensive tackle John McCargo charges ahead during a practice at St. John Fisher College. The Bills are expecting big things out of McCargo this year, as the team traded into the first round to select him. DAVID DUPREY/ (Click for larger image)



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

RN/LPN
RN/LPN (FT) for family practice. Lockport. Fax resume to 434-1745...>MORE

Clerk
DUNKIN DONUTS now hiring for FT/PT positions. Must be at least 18, Apply at Dunkin Donuts, 2560 Youngstown-Lkpt Rd, Rans...>MORE


INSURANCE - CSR with Personal Lines exp., for Lockport area. $25,000 salary. 433-7504...>MORE

Health Care
Health Care. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/LAUNDRY SUPERVISORS. Excellent full-time day and evening opportunities. Experienced,...>MORE

Physical Therapy Assistant
PHYSICAL THERAPY
ASSISTANT (PTA)

Looking for a self-motivated PTA to provide PT services for premier lo
...>MORE

DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, no WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE

Maintenance Technician
MAINTENANCE Technician, FT, exp. needed in electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, Apply in person bet. 9 & 5 at 6751 ...>MORE

Driver
DRIVERS – CDL A
TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR
DEDICATED RUNS
No touch freight............Good miles
...>MORE

Information Technology
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - Niagara County Community College is seeking a Director of User and Administrative Technology Se...>MORE

Coach, Women's Lacrosse
COACH, WOMEN’S LACROSSE - Niagara County Community College is seeking a head coach and an assistant head coach for the w...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE

Junior Accountant
Auto Detailer full time, exp. pref. Apply at David Chevy Buick Pontiac, 10225 Nia Falls Blvd. or 298-9700 ask for Frank....>MORE

Buick 2005 Lesabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE

Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE

Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE

1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index