Poll: who should be Bills' starting TE?

Fine – I like his blocking and I don’t think you lose anything over Schouman in the passing game. Nelson’s blocking, while progressing, still wants me to keep him in the slot/split end role and occasional blocking.

Obviously I voted for Fine, as I have been ranting off in several other posts. He is a better blocker, bigger, taller & Stronger than Schouman and he seems to be equal or better in the passing game.

I really like what we’ve seen from Nelson so far in Pre-Season, his blocking skills are superior than I thought they would be. He clearly is putting a lot of heart in it and I can easily imagine him being the starter by year and or at least sharing the spot with Fine. His receiving skills are so much superior to all three others that it’s not even fair to compare.

TE1: Fine TE2: Nelson TE3:Stupar Schouman-out

we need a tall pass catcher besides TO…a real playmaker…if “Starting” you mean in there to block on running plays, maybe the two other guys you could argue would be better, but they would be spur little or no worry with LBs on opposing defenses in terms of pass defense. I have seen little from Fine or Schouman in the preseason in terms of pass catching….Nelson needs more opportunity, and I think will be splitting time with them even if he doesn’t get the start. I just want to see him more

I voted for Nelson only because of Fine’s injury. If Fine was 100% then he gets the nod from me. Schouman does nothing for me. His blocking is okay and I would rather see Nelson getting practice and missing then just watching Schouman miss consistently…
I agree with keysh on his line up

I suspect y’all will chastise me for it, but I voted Schouman. I don’t trust Fine – he’s not as polished as everyone makes him out to be, and he seems to be an injury risk. Obviously, I’m voting for Nelson long-term, but right now, I vote Schouman almost by default.

I vote schouman because I believe he’s the best blocker of the 3 and I see the bills having to leave their tight end in to block a lot.

Since we are discussing the TE position here, I’d like to add a vote of confidence in Stupar making the 53 man roster come Saturday. I kow the Bills tried this method and weren’t very sucessful in the past, but what about getting rid of the FB position (again), and keeping all FOUR TE’s especially utilizing the no huddle approach?

My fear here is that if we ‘try’ to keep Stupar on the PS, that another franchise will indeed grab him. I’d MUCH rather see McIintyre go, than Stupar any day. Having YOUNG good TE’s on this roster will make it VERY interesting in years to come.

Keeping in mind that Fine is injured again, it’s nearly the same as having three TE’s anyway in spite of taking up a roster spot. (Schou, Nelson, Stupar) minus Corey Mac.

Thoughts?

i’m “fine” with Fine.

Schouman is too much of a similar theme for my interests at TE. The team needs a change and Fine at least brings a bit more panache (and speed) to the position to go with his slightly larger frame.

The best thing about Schouman (well, aside from that goat) is his blocking. But what good is that if it means he stays in and Edwards has one less passing option?

I can’t lump Nelson in here as the main TE until I know the team envisions the TE position like the Chiefs, Giants, Redskins, and Chargers did/do. He’s someone who I could envision taking playing time away from Hardy this season.

I truly wish the Bills could find another Jason Witten.

Fine gets my vote only because Stupar isn’t an option. I know I’m crazy he has been a bright spot for this team this preseason.

Schouman, he’s a viable receiving option and doesn’t suck as a blocker.

each seems to excel at things the others dont. therefore im not gonna vote for a “starter” as much as i think it should be a committee type thing until nelson becomes a more polished player. the worst thing jauron and the coaching staff can do is keep their “guy” in just because hes the “starter” when another player on the team is more suited for that specific play. so yeah, no vote, i think the coaching staff should plug and play all of them in the correct situations…

To me it doesn’t really matter who starts as long as we have the right TE on the field for the right situation. Fine is a better blocker, Nelson a better receiver and Shouman is pretty good at both. That isn’t to say they will never throw to Fine but you would expect to see more of Nelson on obvious passing downs and in the red zone.

First he’s really green in the blocking department. Second we haven’t even seen him against the # 1s in a real full game. How can we proclaim he should be the starting TE? Are the other TE’s so bad that he should be given the position by default without proving anything against the 1s during the regular season? I know the Dereks haven’t proven a ton either – but at least they’ve played. Nelson could be a bust in the blockign dept and only become a receiving TE.

I think more evidence is needed before we say he’s our starting TE.