Bills Add TE Fine in Round 4, Too
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 1:16 PM EDT
in NFL Draft
69 comments
With the 132nd overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected Kansas tight end Derek Fine.
After addressing the defensive side of the football with three of their first four picks, the Buffalo Bills have added a second receiving threat to their arsenal with the addition of Fine. A reliable receiving target for an upstart Kansas team this past season, Fine will add to the competition at a rather weak tight end position in Buffalo.
What you see is what you get with Fine, and he's a typical Dick Jauron guy. Fine measures in at 6'3" (short for a tight end), 251 pounds and has average speed, running a 4.83 in the 40 yard dash. He has reliable hands, is smart and reads coverages very well, and knows how to get open. Because of his recognition skills, he was lined up all over the field in Kansas, including on the line as a natural tight end, in the slot as a receiver, and in the backfield as an H-Back.
There are, of course, downsides to Fine as well. He is not considered a top blocker and lacks the bulk to consistently hold his own at the point of attack. He also lacks the speed and burst to exploit defenses down the seam. He is not believed to have a lot of upside, but the skills that he does possess are blue-collar and make him a natural fit in Buffalo.
If you're looking for instant offensive impact with Fine, you may have to wait. Fine will need to improve his route-running before he can be a consistent threat. But he has the potential to be a go-to player on underneath throws - something QB Trent Edwards likes to exploit - and he also has the ability to play special teams in a number of roles right out of the gate. This is a smart kid and a pretty safe pick.
This is your open thread until Buffalo's next pick, #147 overall (fifth round).
0 recs |
69 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Special teams player
He was a standout on special teams coverage at Kansas. That’s good; with the loss of several special teams players, the Bills need more people there.
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
NFL.com
Analysis
Positives: Expected size for “moving” tight end/fullback. ... Excellent effort and upper body flexibility to block defensive ends or linebackers on the run. ... Very good receiver who runs precise routes and does not drop many balls. ... Reliable, tough, hard-working character guy. ... Good effort and open-field tackling ability on special teams.
Negatives: Not a true in-line blocking tight end because of a lack of size and strength (upper and lower body). ... Tough time getting off the line when threatened by linebackers. ... Does not possess great speed to threaten the seam in the Cover-2. ... Needs to fit in a very specific type of offense.
by BuffaloBrewed on Apr 27, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Instead of the tall fast guy, we take the short slow guy?
Keller:6-6, 262, 4.6
Fine: 6-2,251,4.83
by osmanBAE on Apr 27, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Derek Schoumann - meet your competition?
by krytime on Apr 27, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone else see the interview with DeSean Jackson?
NFC East is gonna be rough this year to play in now the McNabb has two speedsters to get the ball out too.
I think Fine is indeed Derek’s wake up call, either he shapes up or ships out, yay, I think…. X-P
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Move this guy to FB
I dont like this pick, but maybe this guy can play fullback????
Would you rather win one superbowl or Lose four in a row? Which defines your teams place in history more ... 1yr wonder or Perennially 2nd best?
by Rudy916 on Apr 27, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
FBs can't lack lower or upper body strength...
....let alone both.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moving him ain't worth it
Especially since Schmitt is stil available and is a good out of the backfield catcher, would be a waste to make that move. This is almost to cute a move on the Bills part.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Davis?
Anyone have any idea why we don’t seem to like Kellen Davis? He seemed more like a complete TE than Fine does.
by BuffaloBrewed on Apr 27, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
seen him play
he’s got great hands and is often running deep routes like a WR… he’s a great redzone threat too…
has to be character… b/c there’s no logical reason why everyone is ignoring him.
by osmanBAE on Apr 27, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Logic hard to see
Not only with the TE pick but with the WR pick as well. The Bills have their boards set up in a way that doesn’t seem to mesh with the fans’. That’s fine, so long as Sweed and Kelly don’t turn into monsters in the NFL and Hardy doesn’t get suspended…
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fits with Bills offense
Short and slow fits in with the Bills Offense. Should move up t 28th ranked this year. Ha!
Just being cynical.
Its been an interesting draft in that they haven’t felt the need or didnt have the ammo to move up in any of the first 5 picks, and have just been taking what falls tot hem. I dont know if thats a good thing or a bad thing, anyone ?
by south123 on Apr 27, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The McKelvin effect
Taking him at #11 instead of trading back severely constrained what the Bills could do today.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hi, I run the Kansas blog here at SB Nation...
Just wanted to give a couple thoughts on Derek Fine.
First off, I did not see him going this early at all. You guys probably reached for him, as the earliest I had read him going was the 6th round. Sorry for the negative news early, the rest is mostly positive.
He struggles with drops, he dropped a pass about every game last season (or at least it seemed that way) but he was thrown to a lot. He was the safety valve in our offense, and has good hands, just drops some passes occasionally.
He is an excellent blocker, especially in the running game. I figured he would be an H-Back type player in the NFL, not sure if you guys use an H-Back in your offense or not, but if so I bet that is where he is pegged. Not really sure if he could move to FB, but he might be able to pull it off.
Still, his biggest strength is his blocking ability, as he is probably an average pass blocker and an excellent run blocker. Plus, he has good hands, can get down the field quick enough and would be an excellent safety valve for your offense.
He was also one of the leaders of our team, a very good character kid.
If you have any more questions, post them here and I will try my best to answer them.
by rockchalk on Apr 27, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great a Robert Royal Redux
We now have drafted his highness Robert Royal the 2nd.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure...
What if we consider him the next Coy Wire? Good character, natural leader, good open-field tackler. Oh, and he can be a backup at his position.
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That wouldn’t be a bad thing. You’re not going to find a superstar every time you pick. Trust the front office. Sometimes the safe pick is the smart pick. Fine is an OK pick.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bizzare
Simply bizzare. Wonder if they are using a oujia board? Fine over Keller. OBD please get counseling.
by keuka121 on Apr 27, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This Sucks
Day 1 was okay with me…but Day 2 very questionable!!!!
by funnangame on Apr 27, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ll say it again – we can’t judge today. The Bills NEVER do what we fans “want” them to do on day two, so it’s hardly a shock. Let’s give these guys a chance…
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very quick, though
Fastest 3-cone drill of the TEs at the combine, and second-fastest 20-yard shuttle (.05 behind Dustin Keller). For a comparison, both were better than Felix Jones.
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So who do we take at 147 then?
We “got” our TE, so what is it now? O line depth? Maybe we get Velasco or maybe Barry Richardson OT 6’6” 320 CLEMSON hes a big boy, and decently rated by Scouts INc.
Or how about Chad Rinehart OG 6’5” 320 NORTHERN IOWA?
Either olineman would be a good pick up in my opinion.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 1:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rinehart went in the 3rd
to the skins
by thejimbo on Apr 27, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blast, missed that in the list
Was hoping we could get a shot at him
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm afraid
it’s now or never for the top 2 FBs… Schmidt and Hillis…
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FB would be nice
I like that idea at this point, only 1 FB taken so far.
by south123 on Apr 27, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great D and Special teams year
The Bills will appear to have a great D and great special teams this year. The offense should improve marginally. Can’t expect anyone after the 3rd round will have a big impact this season, but they should contribute to some degree.
Maybe the Offense will come into their own with the change at coordinator.
by south123 on Apr 27, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Time for me to sleep
It’s past 1:45am here for me.
I actually like this pick. Before the draft I contemplated having the Bills pick Derek Fine and moving him to FB to help with the run blocking for Lynch. He’ll also contribute immediately in special teams where the Bills lost a lot of players. This pick can put me to sleep.
Happy blogging guys.
Bills fan half way around the world
by moncheri on Apr 27, 2008 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3rd through 4th round
What have we learned. #1 and most importantly is that CB is a position OBD thought was weak. No question about that. #2. They have more fiath in their 4TE’s on the roster than most of us do. #3. They must feel solid about their TE’s otherwise they would have taken PSU’’s conner over the DE from VT.
I hear good things about our 3rd round pick in that he is a good pass rusher. Well the only thing left to fix on the Dline was a guy to replace what Hargrove did. Hopefully this is the guy. CB now has the proper depth with the 4th round corner from Akron. You have Ellison and Digiorio as depth LB’s so I believe you will see at least 3 of the 4 remaining picks after the Kansas TE bring depth to the offense. You now have your #2 WR, 2 avg/decent slot guys. Expect them to add an interior olineman and either another TE or FB in the remaining picks.
The D has got to be done, with not only solid starters but solid depth. Same way Jauron built the Bears. Now add the depth to the offense. Next year you might be able to add that stud TE to make the offense elite.
by Berg79 on Apr 27, 2008 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Coffman...
I think, the “other” te outa Missouri, is the highest rated TE next year
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TYpo
Meant to say LB’s in Paragraph 1 under #3.
by Berg79 on Apr 27, 2008 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Follows the trend
Certainly follows DJ’s style. It would be nice to focus on Offense for the rest and hope they find a diamond in the rough, but I suppose at this point its defintey all value. Just no more CB’s
by south123 on Apr 27, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I would like to see them add
1 Interior Olineman
1 WR
1 FB or TE guy who may be able to change position
1 pick for luxury (possibly QB).
Has Colt Brennan been taken?
by Berg79 on Apr 27, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Are you kidding??
A Hawaii kid in Buffalo????
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How aboout QB Ostrander
Edwards backup from Stanford
by south123 on Apr 27, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No players from Hawaii have been taken
Grice-Mullen, Bess, and Rivers are still there as well.
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bess and grice both would make a good #2 WR for us...
by osmanBAE on Apr 27, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So would James Hardy. :)
Do like both of those guys, though…
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Numbers from that offense are sick...
Bess had three seasons with 1,000+ yards and 10+ TDs; Grice-Mullen and Rivers both had two seasons with 1,000+ yards, 10+ TDs.
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i meant #2 WR taken in this draft for us...
but yes hardy will give josh some grief at camp for sure.
by osmanBAE on Apr 27, 2008 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like this ESPN bit about Campbell
It’s like they’re hoping someone drafs him so he doesn’t have to meet his service obligation. He went to West Point, not some ROTC program at USC.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I still say take Dennis Dixon
And let him learn behind Losman and TE for a year. I think he would be a great pickup.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Brennan’s got a weak arm, he’s small, and he comes from warm weather. He’s a classic record-setting college QB who won’t make it at the NFL level. Think Danny Wuerffel and Kliff Kingsbury.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dennis can run
And he can gun it, he started to put it together mentally in the past couple of months of the college season before he got injured. I think he has the right make up to make it as 7th round QB.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in the 7th?
ide be thrilled. i think hes good value here in the 5th.
by thejimbo on Apr 27, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i want OWEN next!!
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Apr 27, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
should take Schmidt, then Adrian Arrington from Michigan (tall WR), THEN offensive line
by brownmac on Apr 27, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Brennan
I like him. Stats dont lie. He produced better than almost any other pick at this point. I do worry about the transition from Hawaii though.
I like hubbard too.
Oh And if I haven’t said it enough times James Hardy was a fantastic pick.
by Berg79 on Apr 27, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Cincy's Shirley pick.
Thought he was a 7th rounder, or a FA
by krytime on Apr 27, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Same here, but tells you the premium on size is going up
More and more teams want to bag a fat man who can rotate in on the line, and this is going to continue
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And another commercial
Is this the third straight Bills pick that they went to commerical during?
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Owen with a mohawk
Smidt is amonster lives to hit people weight room fanatic broke 4 helmits his senior yr a buffalo guy
by Beardog on Apr 27, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
still no offense
Would you rather win one superbowl or Lose four in a row? Which defines your teams place in history more ... 1yr wonder or Perennially 2nd best?
by Rudy916 on Apr 27, 2008 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I had a feeling
we’d end up with a blocking TE. I hate this pick because we really needed a receiving TE over another blocker. Maybe Fine will turn into a good player, but I would have rather had Davis or even Barnidge.
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
SB Nation's home for daily Buffalo Bills coverage.
Related FanPosts on Buffalo Rumblings
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
