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Buffalo Bills
Location: Orchard Park, N.Y. | Stadium: Ralph Wilson Stadium (73,967) | Owner: Ralph Wilson | General Manager: Russ Brandon
Coach: Dick Jauron | League Championships: 2
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Bills report: Inside slant
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes
 

 

Did the Bills wait too long in the recent NFL draft to take a tight end that can help spark their 30th-ranked passing game?

Club officials don't believe so.

Derek Fine, a 6-3, 250-pound fifth-year senior who helped Kansas win a school-record 12 games last fall, was selected in the fourth round by Buffalo 132nd overall and the 10th tight end overall.

Wanting to address their weak pass rush, Buffalo selected Virginia Tech defensive end Chris Ellis in round three, passing over more highly-rated tight ends such as Brad Cottam (Chiefs), Jermichael Finley (Packers) and Craig Stevens (Titans). Players like Finley, who played at Texas, and Martellus Bennett (second round, Dallas) of Texas A&M, received more attention than Fine in the Big 12.

But lack of hype perhaps allowed Fine to slip to the Bills in the fourth round, where they were eager to take him.

"Of the tight ends I did this year to me he was the most complete tight end," Bills scout Brad Forsyth said. "He does everything very well. He's an excellent blocker in the run game and ... in terms of the pass game, he's more of a short-area type receiver but he's a better athlete than people give him credit for. We like his toughness, we love his versatility."

The Bills have been looking for a serious pass catching tight end since parting ways with Jay Riemersma in 2002.

Kevin Everett, a third-round pick in 2005, was slow to develop and then saw his career upended by a spinal cord injury last fall. Free agent Michael Gaines (25 catches, two TDs) showed promise last year but has since signed with Detroit.

What's that leave?

Robert Royal (25 catches, three TDs) as the starter competing with Fine, second-year pro Derek Schouman and young veteran free agents Teyo Johnson and Courtney Anderson who are looking for new starts.

For the kind of offense Buffalo runs, tight end coach Charlie Coiner said the tight end can't merely be a glorified big receiver. He's got to block, too. That made Fine and best find for them.

"It's always helpful to have a down-the-field, stretch-the-field tight end but only if you have one who can also block at the line of scrimmage, unless you're going to go to a different scheme," Coiner said. "There were some tight ends who had tremendous pass receiving ability who we liked but at the same time, a guy that can do both things, I don't know that there's another one out there we liked better than Derek Fine. He can stretch the field. But here in this organization you have to be able to block at the line of scrimmage, too."

Fine caught 46 catches for 394 yards and four touchdowns last fall and threw some dandy blocks. For his career, he had 98 catches for 1,009 yards and 10 touchdowns while starting 33 games in 49 appearances.

One other attribute? He was Kansas' special teams co-MVP and Buffalo needs help there.

"I had really good interviews (at the combine) and I knew that they were interested," Fine said of the Bills. "I knew that they needed a tight end and they also run the ball and they would want me to do some blocking.

"I think my game is really complete," he added. "I've had a couple of mishaps here and there where I had a drop but ... even the best receivers drop balls every now and then, and it's something you have to let go. Other than that, I feel I'm really complete. I run good routes, I'm a really hard worker and I take a great amount of pride in all of my blocking. I think my blocking is kind of what's gotten me this far and got me through the combine. I feel really confident with my game, and with special teams, too."

During Buffalo's recent rookie minicamp, Fine was the only tight end on hand and he received a ton of work, impressing Coiner with his route running.

At Kansas, Fine split out wide at times. He also was sent in motion or did lead blocking as an H-back.

"I'm used to be being an in-line tight end," he said. "This past year our offense came onto the scene and that's what made it seem like I was split out more because we ran the spread-type of offense."

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

 
 

Buffalo Bills Message Board
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 30, 2009

November 7, 2009 12:38 pm
<p> I have pretty much thrown this season in the trash just like an old bowl of leftovers...I know it is only week 9 but the play of the offense and more specifically Trent Edwards has made me realize that we are headed towards yet another rebuilding stage.  I dont really see any sign that would justify allowing Trent t ...(more)
Reputation:69
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 4, 2008

November 2, 2009 12:58 pm
8 games into this season, and the Bills play a decent 3 quarters, against NE, NO, HOUSTON. The Bills have one of the worse statistical offenses in the NFL and are still in these games. Then comes the 4th quarter, might as well go home or turn off the TV at that point, because WE'VE SEEN IF BEFORE.

Problem:Defense is on the field
...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 30, 2009

October 30, 2009 11:46 am
Has anyone listened to Terrell Owens press conference wednesday?  He basically reconfirmed that Dick Jauron is not an NFL caliber football coach.  Before I get into why I am saying this I want it to be known that this is in no way a negative post directed at T.O.  Owens was asked the question "After this season can y ...(more)
Reputation:53
Level:Pro
Since:Sep 11, 2009

October 26, 2009 12:34 am
Just wondering what anyone else thinks about Fitzpatrick's play at QB.  By no means has he been putting up great numbers but he has shown that he is willing to throw the ball down the field, which I like.  I'm not talking about the 40-50 yards bombs because Edwards threw those occasionally as well, but the 10-20 yard slants and outs, which Edwards just will not throw.

I thin
...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:May 11, 2007

November 1, 2009 6:29 pm
<dd style="margin: 0px;"> This is from the updates above:

Bills coach Dick Jauron accepted the blame for his offense's performance today. "I think the whole thing falls on me," Jauron said. "I don't think there's any doubt. I take full responsibility for it."


Why not just come out and say
...(more)
Reputation:88
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 7, 2008

November 9, 2009 2:50 pm
vick come to buffalo good or bad idea we need a qb and it will plan out ok because our o-line isnt to strong so he can make a play out of nothing with his feet and bring back owens that will be a pretty good combo we need something because every year is the same thing by mid-season we say well next year....wont hurt anymore than what it is now and before
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 23, 2008

November 1, 2009 9:18 am
Fellow Bills fans, the finals of The NFL Best Team of All Time voting has officially begun. Thanks to your outstanding participation in the prior round, the Bills accumulated the most votes of any teams that made it to the final round!

Here are the teams vying for NFL Best Team of All Time bragging rights:

...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 23, 2008

October 18, 2009 11:38 pm
Hey Bills fans...we have now begun Round 3 of The NFL Best Team of all Time voting. Thanks again for your great participation in Round 2!

Our 1990 AFC Champion Bills are in Bracket A against seven other NFL teams. There are a total of four brackets in Round 3 and the top two team
...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:May 11, 2007

October 24, 2009 2:24 pm
The Bills have given up huge ground games to teams that are not running first teams.  DeAngelo Williams and James Stewart have to be counting the minutes until they get to run against a weak run d which may be without ...(more)
Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 19, 2006

October 28, 2009 11:28 pm
Jairus Byrd now has 5 interceptions in 4 games starting for the Bills, which puts him 2nd in the NFL in interceptions only behind Darren Sharper of the S ...(more)
Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 13, 2007

October 13, 2009 2:19 pm
(POLL) There are many to choose from.
Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 27, 2009

October 16, 2009 9:17 am
Hey Bills Fans,

I know how you guys feel about your team..... I'm a Rams fan so i know all about it.

That loss to Cleveland was just plain ugly.... Just like my team being Shutout twice.

I hope Ralph Wilson will fix all of the problems with this team
...(more)
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 21, 2007

October 29, 2009 8:01 am
I heard a report Wednesday (10/28) on a DC radio station that the Bills contacted former QB Patrick Ramsey.  Anybody know what might be up with this.  Are the Bills more concerned about Edwards health than they are saying publicly?  God forbid Ramsey ever becomes our guy.
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 23, 2008

October 31, 2009 7:26 pm
Looks like we're No Longer Doomed to post over there. Check in on this thread, then send me a private message telling me what your screen name was over there. Unfortunately there's no cursing over here, but we're all gentlemen anyway.
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 30, 2009

November 9, 2009 6:06 pm
(POLL) With the recent Bills rumors about Vick to the bills and Whitners comments, the question should be posed to fans.  Do you want the Bills to sign Mike Vick this Offseason?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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