With Schouman out, Bills' Nelson must step up
by Brian Galliford on Sep 24, 2009 2:18 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintWhen the Buffalo Bills selected Southern Miss TE Shawn Nelson with their fourth-round pick (No. 121 overall) this past April, many draft experts applauded the selection. Nelson, at one point projected to go as soon as the second round, presented the Bills - a team that hasn't had a legitimate tight end threat in years - with a tremendous value selection that could contribute immediately, and more importantly, who wouldn't need to start right away.
That time has quickly come to an end. Starting tight end Derek Schouman has been put on season-ending Injured Reserve, and although second-year man Derek Fine is a very capable blocker, he's still vastly unproven as a receiver. On a Bills team full of receiving talent, however, it is crucial that their rookie tight end - who is currently dealing with an injury himself, by the way - pick up the slack at tight end.
Two-week targets
For the first time in quite some time, the tight end has become a viable part of Buffalo's passing attack. No other single player has been targeted more by QB Trent Edwards in Buffalo's first two games this season than RB Fred Jackson, who has been thrown to 15 times. Bills receivers have been thrown to 24 times (with Lee Evans and Terrell Owens getting 19 of those looks; Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish the rest). Add in the 16 targets that Schouman and Nelson got in Weeks 1-2, and the tight end position literally accounted for about 29% of Edwards' throws - not a high number, certainly, but undoubtedly a significant one.
In his third season out of Boise State, Schouman had emerged as a nice safety valve for Edwards. As it stands today, Schouman - who, again, is lost for the season - is second on the team with 9 receptions and 103 yards (both figures eclipsed only by Jackson). And although Nelson himself got off to a strong start with two catches and a touchdown in his first professional game, Schouman was without doubt "the guy" at tight end.
Now, the rookie needs to step up. He missed more than three quarters' worth of the Tampa Bay win with a sprained shoulder, but he has returned to practice in preparation for Week 3, albeit on a limited basis. He's only been targeted five times by Edwards, but has produced when called upon. He's also shown willingness as a blocker (though he's shown a lack of polish there, too). He still doesn't need to be an every-down tight end - really, Fine is quite good in that department - but he does need to pick up where Schouman leaves off as a receiver.
Passing game still a work in progress
We can't exactly look at this situation as Nelson needing to replace a pretty important cog in a perfectly functioning passing attack. Edwards and company have been good through two games; if Buffalo gets 220 yards, two scores and minimal turnovers out of this attack on a weekly basis, they're going to win a lot of football games. But there are some things that need to change - and we've discussed those already this week.
Owens and Evans need more targets and, far more importantly, more production. That's likely to occur with Josh Reed ailing (he has yet to practice this week); Roscoe Parrish is working through an ankle injury as well. It'd be nice, too, to see Steve Johnson get some reps (and with Reed hurt, that opportunity might come this week), and Jackson will remain a large part of the passing offense as well.
Given how defenses are playing Buffalo at the moment - taking away the deep ball and putting lots of double coverage on Owens and Evans - and given the way Edwards prefers to operate as a quarterback, however, it's imperative that the Bills maintain as many quality Tier 2 (read: not Owens, Evans or Jackson) receiving threats as possible. The slot receivers and running backs will get their looks, but the efficiency of the passing game dwindles a bit if there is no production from the tight ends. Fine can play, but again, he's highly unproven. Forget about Jonathan Stupar. Buffalo's most talented tight end is Nelson, and if he can capably fill the safety valve role Schouman vacates, Buffalo's offense should continue to click, no matter what defenses throw against us.
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Nice write up
I would love to see Nelson take over right where Schouman left off, and the thought of Scuba Steve starting over (or at least taking some PT from) Reed this week has me as gitty as a school girl…
Who can make a play? I can make a play!
-T.O.
Is Nelson mentally ready for a bigger role? Does he understand all the hot reads and entire blocking packages? I think he’ll remain in the same role he’s been in, with Fine taking over for Schouman. As he gets more comfortable, I think we’ll see him get more reps and be a bigger part of the O. As it is, he’s done a good job of what he’s been asked to do.
I hope they start going down the seam to him. He’s going to be a matchup nightmare for LB’s and will be too big for DB’s. I hope they start taking advantage of that…
~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."
I agree with you on Nelson’s thought process. It was said his head was swimming in camp. I like him in his current role – which is pretty large I must add. He has been in a lot of red zone packages and he has the ability to split out wide.
I want him down the seam, and Trent made some awesome throws there in camp, but the two I remember during games have been picked. Once in the HoF game and once last week – both to Evans.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 24, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Right on, K
Nelson is not ready for a bigger role just yet. It’s coming, but it’s not here yet. Really, he’s just as unproven as Fine, and Fine’s got a year of experience under his belt.
It would be nice to see the offense progress to the point where they can clear out the underneath zones and run T.O. or Evans underneath on a crossing route (like Andre Reed used to 20 years ago).
Get the Bills back to the big game!
I’m not sure why Nelson needs a bigger role to become more of a factor. My only point was that with Schouman gone, he’s the only TE with receiving skills. He doesn’t need more playing time, but he’ll see more passes either way.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 25, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought Nelson did pretty decent on the two TE roles – where he wasn’t the primary blocker (Ron correct me if I am wrong). Which can keep things pretty good for the offense, allowing Fine to stay in as a blocker and have Nelson do what he does best – catch the ball.
When it comes to if he is the only TE in then I get a bit nervous – because well our RT has how many starts? And may need some help, and if you add an unpolished receiver then it could end up having two guys to block one defender and just screwing up entirely…
If Reed doesn’t play this game and Stevie is in the game, we are losing what Reed gives us. BUT Stevie was known as a jack of all trades in his role in the offense during the preseason. So this might be a lose a little here, but gain some over here situation…
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
Great photo of Nelson.
Do you ever just look through the AP photos and decide to write an article to get an awesome pic like this on the front page?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
LOL no, I do not, but there are days when that tactic might be handy.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 24, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate the fact that Schouman is out for the rest of the season, but I’ve got to admit that I’m very ancious to see Nelson display his ridiculous physical ability that few TE’s can match in the league. I’m confident he’ll be able to take over for Schouman as a pass-catcher, however what remains to be seen is how he’ll do as a pass-blocker.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Sep 24, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions
exciting time to be a Bills fan right now.
This is as fresh of a team as I’ve seen since the 2004 squad and by fresh I mean refreshingly different and exciting. Due to a bit of design and some circumstance this fanbase gets to watch 3 of its first 5 draft picks starting as rookies with the 3rd pick playing pretty frequently, the 1st getting his reps and the 6th pick likely to see the field a bit with Poz out. We have a second year 7th rounder at LT and a D III running back owning the league with a 3rd round QB throwing to two amazing WRs. This is without mentioning our young receiver and secondary depth. Kyle Williams has arrived as well. Of course, we also dropped our OC days before the season began.
This team is exciting to watch this year, thats for sure.
We got your back Leodis!
Id like to see two TE sets
Fine on the right to help block and Nelson on the left tp score TD’s
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-
Nelson
I would argue is absolutely critical to the overall success of this offense this year. With Schouman lost for the year, the pressure is on Nelson to perform. Listen, Trent is a TE guy. He’s best at passes 5-15 yards, he’s very accurate and it is his strength. He lacks a little touch on some flat passes, but overall he is accurate. Nelson is the physical specimen at TE I had been clamoring for 3 years. He is perfect for Trent Edwards. The day I know TE arrives is when Nelson is covered by a LB on a seam route, and he throws it high to Nelson, despite him being covered supremely well and Nelson turns back his head and goes up and gets the ball like a MAN grabbn a rebound. If that happens, this offense goes from top 20 to top 10 NFL offense. Nelson holds the keys to Trent being able to use ALL parts of the field. He has to be tough, willing to go over the middle and ready to mentally take in all the checks and option routes in the no-huddle offense. I LOVE Nelson’s potential and I can’t wait to see him play. James Hardy by the way, better be ready to step up next year as well
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
WR Josh Reed, who did not practice at the outset Thursday, did do some work and was officially limited in practice. His injury was also mixed up with that of WR Roscoe Parrish on Wednesday. Parrish has a quad strain and Reed has an ankle injury. Parrish however, practiced fully.
http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/09/24/injury-update-22/
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 24, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Johnson better get the start over Parrish !!!
Or I might do something that I will regret!
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
It's possible...
given some play action pass crossing patterns and maybe a few deep posts when I linebacker is covering, Nelson might be pretty useable. Too bad he can’t be like his player on Madden, he’s a beast! LOL
i use him in short crossing patterns and he is unstoppable
Fast too.
it’s not a glitch he is awsome
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-
True...
he is a beast on Madden…he can catch and truck people when running
by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 24, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Good grief
Hey boys—this is NOT Madden. Schouman is a more significant loss for us than many think. He was playing at a very high level in the context of the offense—in which he was thriving. He rarely, if ever, made a mental error, was a fine blocker on the run (ask Freddy), and was the one guy that Trent knew would always be in the right place.
This is bigger than what you may think—same for Butler actually, but that’s a story for another day.
Fine is one tough SOB, but lacks the instincts of Schouman, Nelson is by far the best receiver, but can’t block you or me, and while Stupar flashed in Camp, if he was better than the other three, he woulda made the team.
Geronimo
yeah
it hurts to lose Schouman undoubtedly, but I do think the combo of Fine/Nelson is sufficient. The problem is it changes what AVP can do in terms of formations. I really think this is why Freddy Jackson play a ton when Lynch comes back, especially having them both on the field at the same time. Shouman was that safety valve and a someone Trent trusted. I think Freddy Jackson is the next guy that Trent trusts the most, and he needs to be on the field as much as possible. I think Fine’s blocking, Nelson’s catching and Freddy playing in the slot and running routes out of the backfield they can compensate for Schouman’s loss, although it’s a shame to lose to smart, tough football players in Butler/Schouman 2 weeks into the year not to mention Poz
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
I'm not sure I follow your point G
No one on here said they are happy to lose Schouman. The joke was that Nelson is NOT like his Madden player, nobody is expecting this to be an upgrade, we did just watch a Bucs game in which the Shoe basically carried the offense down field for a good chunk of the game. However, I don’t get the logic in posting how much it stinks. We know that, you can’t blame us for trying to make the best of a lousy scenario and discussing what Nelson might be able to do for us. The injury happened, we all were bummed about it but I choose to believe this team made a good move giving itself lots of depth. Nelson is a rookie who scored a touchdown his first game, Fine has always been solid and Stupar made flashed in the pre-season. None of that makes up for losing the Shoe but you can’t blame us for trying to see a silver lining.
We got your back Leodis!
My point
Was simply that I think Schouman’s loss is more significant than others think. Having depth of players with varied talents may not be sufficient to provide for what Schouman was giving us—and he was getting better. For example—how many snaps do you think Nelson will get with his hand on the ground? How many has he had thus far? That said—i do think Marvelous’s point about the options that Marshawns return will give us is a good one. I do believe that we will see both he and Freddy in there together—that should be interesting.
As to Fine “always being solid”—when was that exactly? he’s hardly been on the field outside of teams. I am all for silver linings like you guys—but I think Schouman was playing well and will be hard to replace.
Geronimo
Fair enough
and I totally agree that Schouman will be hard to replace – you simply can’t replace a guy who your QB says multiple times is his favorite TE. You don’t think Fine has looked pretty good in the limited chances hes had? He hasn’t had much but he has made big plays and from Ron’s take, hes a great blocker.
Wouldn’t you agree that losing Butler will hurt us more? Maybe even Poz? We just seem to have more depth at tight end than other positions which have suffered disastrous injuries. If I’m going to get down about any injury its going to be Butler, that man always plays well.
We got your back Leodis!
just a guess, but i think everyone knows its not "Madden" and was just having fun. Sheesh. Fun is forbidden moving forward. And no, I've never played a game system in my life.
by LeClaireBill on Sep 24, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
You, my good sir, are missing out.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 24, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps, but I don’t lose sleep. I’ve watched the kids and friends play – and it is visually amazing to those of us that grew up with Pong and gasp! PacMan – but also a huge time suck. Regardless, I think Nelson has a solid season, and good career in front of him if he can continue to refine and expand his game. His speed and fluid athleticism getting to the pylon against NE was a tantalizing sample. Love watching that play.
by LeClaireBill on Sep 25, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Sup G...
Anyword on the Roscoe Parrish trade front…I hope they keep him and this whole thing is to please him and his agent…
by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 24, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont like to use the “blessng in disguise” phrase… but Nelson being pushed into a bigger role than what was probably expected could turn out to be huge for us. Where we lose in the blocking dept (which he hasnt been BAD at) wegain so much with mismatches. Nelsons a huge dude that can run and catch. I like our chances with him lined up with a LB on him.
It will take time
we all knew Shoe was not the TE of the future
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-
WOW! How interesting............
Man, what an exciting time.
Lynch out, Freddy excels (SIGN HIM NOW! BEFORE HIS VALUE GOES UP!)
We carved off all of the deadweight (literally) on the O-line. Starting a bunch of unprovens, then the injury to Butler. Another young guy in.
Poz out. Buggy Malone is in. Ellison has stepped up his game.
Primary TE out. Nelson has to now step up. He will. Fine isn’t a slouch either.
Depth in the secondary.
Hardy will be back in week 6 after the PUP, get some experience, and replace TO next year in the same role.
Trent with a good command of the offense. Coming into his own.
There is nothing to NOT like about this young team.
Wildcard this year (barring more injuries), and next year, we roll in HOT dominating this division like we used to.
"A failure becomes just one time at bat if you refuse to let it defeat you." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Sep 24, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions
Lynch out, Freddy excels (SIGN HIM NOW! BEFORE HIS VALUE GOES UP!)
We just did this offseason. :-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 24, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
My bad...........
Didn’t know 1BD was smart enough to do that. Not much Bills news down here in Nashville in Titans country.
"A failure becomes just one time at bat if you refuse to let it defeat you." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Sep 24, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Where is the Stupar love? No mention!??!? He was the #1 target in the preseason!
"You play to win the game, you don't play to just play it" - Herm Edwards
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 24, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions
That is what I get for skipping the last sentence. I actually disagree… Stupar showed a knack for getting open!
"You play to win the game, you don't play to just play it" - Herm Edwards
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 24, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Well written article Brian
I agree with everything you said. Nelson is lucky to get the opportunity to come in and make an impact his rookie year, from what he’s done so far, I believe that he is up to the challenge. He’s looked better than I would expected in the blocking game and there is no doubt that this kid is an athletic pass catching threat – so I look forward to seeing him develop into a pillar of our offense.
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Brian how dare you!
I will never, ever forget about Jonathan Stupar.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
by JPH on Sep 24, 2009 10:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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