A case for Derek Fine

by Sportscaster on Apr 26, 2009 2:42 AM EDT

I was a HUGE Brandon Pettigrew fan. Not at #11, but definitely at #28. However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Eric Wood, and am so excited he's a Bill. He was a monster in the Big East (I'm also a Syracuse fan) and he was a nightmare in the BigEast for 4 years. Rest assured, we finally have a Pro Bowl (give him a couple years) interior lineman and we're going to love it (I also love the trade up to get Levitre).

I would have loved Pettigrew, but I honestly think we have 2 solid TE prospects on the roster already. Let's be honest, Krupt would be an upgrade over Robert Royal. Sure, Royal could block. I can't attest for Krupt's receiving ability, but I can assume he wouldn't fumble or have his thumb up his @$$ as much as Royal did.

Here's the thing. Everyone (including me) wanted to draft an "impact" Tight End. While I think Pettigrew will be a good player, if you look at 1st Round Tight Ends historically, there's no such thing as a "Sure Thing." (Especially when you're stuck on the Lions, seriously how many people think Pettigrew was pissed the Lions picked him?)

I think we already have our tight ends on the roster. Schouman showed flashes of being able to do stuff last year. But, everyone forgets that Fine was just a rookie. he played in 10 games starting 5 of them. He had 10 catches for 94 yards last season. I know it's only 10 catches, but he average over 9 yards a catch. His long was only 12 yards, so he was consistently good for 8-12 yards a reception. Pettigrew only average 11.2 yards per reception IN COLLEGE last year, with just 42 receptions.

I talked to a friend of mine (in the Buffalo media) who knows Fine and thinks the Bills should be happy with him and Schouman. Fine is not a good, but GREAT blocking tight end. Better than Royal or Schouman. You'll notice in game film last year that Fine was in on running downs, because the guy can block.

He was only a ROOKIE people, and I think he may mature into THE guy we want. I'm not saying I don't think we shouldn't take a TE in Day 2, but I think Fine can be both the blocker and the underneath receiving threat for 8-10 yards we're looking for. After-all, one of the Bills best pass catching tight ends ever, Jay Riemersma, only averaged just over 11 yards a catch with Buffalo. If Fine continues to improve, I think he can be the blocker we need, and average 10 yards a reception to be not an All-pro tight end, but a very solid tight end who can make a difference in the Bills running and passing game.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

That's Fine and all

But OBD will use a pick on Anthony Hill, TE 6’6" 265lbs out of NC State today

by freddyjj on Apr 26, 2009 7:13 AM EDT reply actions

This draft is a polar opposite of the concensus "win now approach"

here all along I thought TE and OLB were gapping holes. Not drafting a competant TE is going to hurt us really badly. Fine can be easily covered if not shutdown by most LBs. We need a tight end that forces opposing teams to cover him with a safety. This is the ONLY way to take pressure off our WRs.

by BuffaloChip on Apr 26, 2009 8:20 AM EDT reply actions

How is solidifying your offensive line and strengthening your much-maligned pass rush the “polar opposite” of a “win now approach”? In any fashion?

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 26, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Plus

With Leroy Hill now back on the market, we could solidify our OLB spot. This would be a serious upgrade at the position and fix our problems completely.

As for the TE position, my preferred option at this point is to trade up for Shawn but if that option disappears then Denver is still looking to trade Tony Scheffler, if could get him for a reasonable trade it could also make sense.

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Apr 26, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

A one dimensional pass rusher,

a starter at a position we already addressed in FA
an slow CB turned FS takenn not only in RD but while other payers who have actually spent time at the position.
and the we trade away our 3rd for DEPTH when we still have Elison at OLB and Derek Fine as our lone option at TE.

by BuffaloChip on Apr 26, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

and the we trade away our 3rd for DEPTH

What gives you that impression? Levitre won’t be depth. Add a “for long” to that last sentence in the worst case scenario.

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 26, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Derek Fine & Shawn Nelson

It’s Christmas in April!!

Shawn Nelson can play in-line or spread out, so the need for Reed just went down considerably. I would almost test the trade market for Josh Reed.

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Apr 26, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

I would have loved Pettigrew, but I honestly think we have 2 solid TE prospects on the roster already. Let’s be honest, Krupt would be an upgrade over Robert Royal. Sure, Royal could block. I can’t attest for Krupt’s receiving ability, but I can assume he wouldn’t fumble or have his thumb up his @$$ as much as Royal did.

Don’t count on it

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Apr 26, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions