Buffalo Bills Again Fail To Address Tight End In Draft
by MattRichWarren on May 2, 2011 5:00 PM EDT
in 2011 NFL Draft
Email
PrintThe Buffalo Bills' tight end position has been a wasteland for the better part of 15 years - ever since Pete Metzelaars left to join the Carolina Panthers. Though the current crop of Bills tight ends is suspect at best, Buddy Nix and the Bills failed to address the need in April's draft.
The Bills passed on the top tight end in the draft at No. 34 when they let Kyle Rudolph stay on the board. Several other tight end prospects came and went while the Bills were on the board. Chan Gailey explained in his post-draft news conference why the Bills stood pat at the position.
"We talked several times about a tight end and it didn’t work out that when our pick came that the guys were sitting there that we had ended up talking about," said Gailey. "We weren’t going to try to force a round peg in square hole. We took the best player up there that fit some kind of need for us."
Instead, the Bills are sticking with their current crop of tight ends that did little a year ago. Late-season acquisition Scott Chandler, who Nix helped draft in San Diego in 2007, fits the blocking mold Gailey has preferred in his time in Buffalo, and his upside will get him a shot to start at the very least. David Martin, a late-summer addition who started some games in 2010, will also get his shot, along with 2009 fourth-round pick Shawn Nelson.
78 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I agree
As much as I love Rudolph and would love to see Buffalo one day have a top tight end, if Gailey doesn’t covet them than why force the issue? Why not use one of our 4 above average receivers?? (And thats not even including Easley who could be a good player)
Good Points
Plus, they use David Nelson a lot like a tight end in running some seam routes down the middle and Easley could also be used in this fashion given his size. I wonder if they’re even considering making Easley a tight end as he is a big dude…
Nelson!
Agree with Nelson. Not a burner by any means a but a big target with a solid hands and large catch radius who has just enough speed to burn an LB down the seam and take hits in the middle of the field.
Doubt Easley would be a TE taking into account his speed by measurables. For some reason I remember him running a pretty speedy 40, althougth maybe i’m wrong?
4.40/40
speedy, indeed.
"the true is we havent had SQUAT, SQUISHY,SAQUASUM SAQGUANDO, DIDLY DORI BING TURY CRAP" - abayarde
I thought so
and he’s like 210-220lbs too. Nasty.
MAkin me thirsty
"War Memorial Stadium looks as if whatever war it was a memorial to had been fought within its confines."-Brock Yates
by Blo2Death on May 2, 2011 9:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well whatever you do, DO NOT drink the kool-ade.
by bizarro bills on May 3, 2011 6:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
agree
we will probably see 4 maybe do i dare say 5 reciever sets if no TE on the field. Had my man crush onstocker and thought for sure we were picking him up but understand the pick and reason they made plus the upside of the argument. Would have been willing to give up a third next year to take him home. Go bills though, I think it is an exciting draft for the BB’s.
Trust in the scouting
These guys have been doing this full time for a long time. I guess I would feel silly second guessing them or putting my trust in a media guy. So we get who we get and hope for the best.
I’m just waiting to see how Troup and Carrington (and Easley) pan out before I start making judgements. All kinds of people including me thought we should have taken Claussen last year. Look how that turned out.
Really looking forward to Easley
The buzz around him last yr was that he is has a ton of physical ability and great size. If he can work on his routes and run them like Stevie, that would be sweeeeet.
Keep camp Fitz going guys!
Does Marcus Easley have a severe injury history? He seems to have the physical tools, but health comes first.
by Baron Hashimoto on May 3, 2011 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions
not sure about history
if i remember correctly, he was a classic one year wonder at UCONN but not due to injuries.
I still think that Nelson has a chance to be at the very least an above average TE, but like it’s been said Gailey isn’t exactly a big TE guy in the first place.
The 2011 Colorado Rockies - Starring Johnny Herrera as THE ANSWER
sabres derp derpdeprpdprperpdpwpsdppsrp4pyh utjgfh-Q% EqR Atdjxvgxco-
Burgundy Wave - SBnation's Colorado Rapids site
Crystal Palace FC - Eternally a point from relegation (._. )
Nelson is an enigma to me. He’s on the roster but you never see him, you don’t hear anything about him, even during practice. I don’t recall seeing him on the sideline when I went to a game. So what’s the problem? Is it the playbook, his hands, blocking, what? And if he’s useless, what’s keeping him on the team when he never gets past third TE?
Nelson had migraine issues I think throughout last year that kept him out of practices and game action a lot. Maybe someone can correct me if I’m wrong on that – I thought I remembered hearing it. And of course he has had his issues with blocking – i don’t think we’ve had the OL play or schemes to be able to allow him to play to his strengths of stretching the field against LB’s. That or he’s just not shown a consistent ability to make plays in the coaches’ eyes. Oh, and he wasn’t a third-rounder, he was a 4th.
by BuffaloRepresent on May 2, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much said below; a big suspension for drug use last year and migraine problems since we drafted him.
The 2011 Colorado Rockies - Starring Johnny Herrera as THE ANSWER
sabres derp derpdeprpdprperpdpwpsdppsrp4pyh utjgfh-Q% EqR Atdjxvgxco-
Burgundy Wave - SBnation's Colorado Rapids site
Crystal Palace FC - Eternally a point from relegation (._. )
by UZ on May 2, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Is shawn nelson can just get his damn migraine situation under control…. although I’m sure its more annoying for him than it is for me.
If only they were simply annoying. Seriously, i you’ve never had one, you cannot imagine the pain. A woman I work with told me that her migraines hurt worse than childbirth.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 2, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Migraines are serious – people who suffer from them can’t stand up sometimes, can’t focus their eyes, certainly can’t run and play pro football. I think too many people say “I have a migraine” when it’s just a bad headache or a hangover. I’m confident that’s not Nelson’s problem.
Being asked to focus on a defender, then release and run down field to focus and catch a pass, then absorb the hit – that’s insanity for someone suffering with migraines.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 2, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. I rarely get them, but when I do, I can’t do anything but lay down in a dark room with no sound and try to avoid throwing up
But when you do...
You prefer Dos Equis
"An offensive lineman from BC comes with a guaranteed pedigree stamp" - Wash. Post
by JMSF#1 on May 3, 2011 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
get them about once a year
and usually during or after finals. same here put me in a quiet dark room and let me sleep. never wanted to yack but did see funny shapes and lights with eyes closed and no drugs were not and never have been involved. can’t imagine someone playing a sport that consistently gets hit in the head and gets migranes as well. they are debilitating
Gailey's O
I guess TE isn’t a major part of Chan’s game plan. Even if it is there are options available in free agency. I also think that we addressed the more pressing needs in the draft. We needed help at all levels of the defense than we needed a TE.
ALL SPILLER NO FILLER
I'm not sure if that's the case
I just think that Gailey would rather have a Jason Witten type. He had Tony Gonzalez in KC and used him well.
Witten went in the third round in 2003. Gates wasn’t a high draft choice either. Nix may feel he can get value later in the draft.
I think they passed on Rudolph because Williams was a first round corner that dropped. I think they passed on Stocker, who I really like and thought was perfect for Buffalo, because Whitner is as good as gone, and Searcy was needed.
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft a Quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
Pete Metzelaars???
Bills drafted Riemersma atleast and he did good after the fact………I would say its been since Jay left……….not Pete, but that’s just my opinion.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on May 2, 2011 6:00 PM EDT reply actions
I agree Jay Riemersma was awesome! I think he was the last tight end that was here over a consistent period of time. Jay is now a politician. jayriemersma.com
ALL SPILLER NO FILLER
by Jason Holodook on May 2, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/5/23/1483369/jay-riemersma-discusses-the-bills
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by MattRichWarren on May 2, 2011 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Pete was the last weapon. Jay was certainly serviceable.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by MattRichWarren on May 2, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
yes he was
2nd half of round 4 even I think ?
definately 4th round.
I wish we’d just spend 1 good pick on a guy like Rudolph and be done with the position for 10 years.
The Buffalo Bills - Drafting for size, speed and destruction since 2011.
I thought Shawn Nelson was drafted in the 4th round, not that it really matters. Also had the Bills drafted a TE, then some people may say they failed to address another position adequately. I really wanted the Bills to draft Kyle Rudolph too, or Luck Stocker, or even D.J. Williams. They just went a different direction with the draft by adding depth at corner, added a physical SS, added someone to compete for the RT position, added a smart, instinctive ILB that can make the playcalls, along with a few players that can contribute on special teams. So what if they didn’t draft a TE, I can’t really complain. Besides they might still add one in free agency.
TE how about QB
I get the M.D. PICK and like it , but I just don’t get it ,2 yrs in a row we pass on a QB in the 3rd who has Dropped, last year McCoy, who I think has a shot, and this year Mallet . Too slow, trouble maker etc etc , did anybody see Brady’s tape at the combine ,talk about slow. Sometimes you have to take a flyer and this was our chance. I predict Mallet will mature, and turn into the heir apparent in NE and he could have been ours but for our conservative approach.Were talkin 3round ,what better place to take a chance, imagine the upside if he pans out.
2 years passing on a QB, 2 years drafting RBs.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 2, 2011 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Mallet
I’m so thankful Mallet didn’t end up here. I feel like NE was the best place for him with his maturity issues. I just hope he’s not the heir to Brady, or even the next Bledsoe.
YES
Let us hope he turns into the next Kevin Connell or O’Connell – whatever his name was – the Pats 3rd rounder about 4 years ago at QB – he was a complete bust whom they cut.
The Buffalo Bills - Drafting for size, speed and destruction since 2011.
Lets see how Shepperd turns out before we go and say we screwed up with our 3rd round pick. High character football first guys seems to be what Chix are looking for in their higher picks. Its gotta be a small window between that and actually having the talent to be worth the pick. Not comparing the two out side of the emotional intensity (pregame huddle ext.) and leadership and while he has ways to go Shepperd seems like he would fill the role Lewis does in Baltimore. Someone to keep the energy up and bring the defense to that next level.
Harooo
A 3rd round guy has a 3 year contract if I am not mistaken. Ryan Mallet is not going to be around long enough to be heir apparent. It wld be a bill move to draft him with the plan of trying to flip him in two years for high draft picks.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
I'm not concerned
None of the teams who needed a franchise QB bit on Ryan Mallet. I’m sure there’s potential, but he went to a team that could burn a pick without thinking about it. We don’t have that luxury. And for Colt, well, I’ll be annoyed if he turns out better than Fitzpatrick, but I haven’t seen it yet.
I like Fitz. I don’t think he’s a franchise QB, but you don’t get one of those in the second or third round unless you get extremely lucky. With the questions surrounding Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder, and the raw power of Marcel Dareus, I think they played this one correctly. The last really successful QB to come out after the first round was Schaub, 7 years ago.
Newsflash
OBD doesn’t appear to have the same personnel concerns the fan base carries with them. Seriously, the guys on your roster STINK. STINK in so many different ways. The position is like dried hair in the bottom of a public gym’s shower drain.
Fix it now, please!
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 2, 2011 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Sooooooooo, you want to draft the Liquid Plumber guy :-)
QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Well, if he can get down the pipe to score, sure! (TWSS)
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 2, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we've found the problem with the defense.
They can cover the TEs the Bills have on the roster no problem so they never work on it. As soon as they face someone who can run and lift his hands at the same time they don’t know what to do.
by twoeightnine on May 2, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
You may be on to something here.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 3, 2011 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Meh
If it gets David Nelson/Easley on the field so we got to see what they got I can live without a TE for the moment.
Harooo
u guys dont think shawn nelson can be the guy?
"the man who created a legend; the legend who resurrected a franchise."
not if he can't get on the field
QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
gosh, just read that michal jasper weighs 375 pounds…this, after losing 70!
"the man who created a legend; the legend who resurrected a franchise."
maybe he can play nose tackle and center at the same time
"the man who created a legend; the legend who resurrected a franchise."
“At Right Guard……Michael!
At Right Tackle…..Jasper!”
by bruuuuuuuce on May 2, 2011 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Maybe we should roll him out at TE. He’s got to be good for at least one broken tackle
by buffalo_bills on May 2, 2011 8:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Roll being the key word, I assume
The 2011 Colorado Rockies - Starring Johnny Herrera as THE ANSWER
sabres derp derpdeprpdprperpdpwpsdppsrp4pyh utjgfh-Q% EqR Atdjxvgxco-
Burgundy Wave - SBnation's Colorado Rapids site
Crystal Palace FC - Eternally a point from relegation (._. )
by UZ on May 2, 2011 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
HA
roll him out
Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- Buddy Nix
Did you guys notice how CHIX completely changed their draft strategy from small school guys to big time program guys. Last year, almost every draft pick except Spiller and maybe Easley (though UConn still no powerhouse) was from a small school – c. Fla, Ark State, James Madison…This year everyone is from a major program except the last guy and Nix made the comment that big school guys don’t blink when the bright lights come on. They must have felt it took too long for Troup, Carrington, etc to get acclimated last year.
by Barman23 on May 2, 2011 9:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
There are pros and cons to both
Big school guys come from traditions of winning and playing in big games and that is an attitude that I think the Bills could use some of…on the other hand, some big schools guys have a sense of entitlement that is absent at smaller schools. Guys from smaller schools had to work very hard to even get a whiff of the NFL. A mix of both is good IMO. We went small school last year and big school this year.
"An offensive lineman from BC comes with a guaranteed pedigree stamp" - Wash. Post
Agree that a mix of both is ideal….just found it interesting how they went so far the other way versus last year…
by Barman23 on May 2, 2011 9:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sophistication
The level of preparation, training and instruction is much better at big programs and it saves OBD time. Contrast that with the value picks who are exceptional but under advertised and coached. Just depends on who they need and what time they have to spend to catch them up. I also noted it seemed many of the draft choices this year had much better Wonderlic scores. Could be they are demanding a greater level of comprehension and feel there isn’t any time to waste.
Go big or go home.
A need is only a need if fits the scheme..
We can put this arguement if we knew how Gailey uses TE in his schemes. This site does a unbelievable job of breaking down numbers and stats to identify trends. Historically what has Gailey done with TEs does he use average ones as decoys, blockers to offset weakness in lines, pick up blitzs to open up plays, etc.
If Gailey uses more 3/4 WR sets and a speedy RB (Spiller) to spread the D instead of 2/3 WR and an athlectic TE then what do we need this TE for. Just because it is the newest trend in the NFL to get an athlectic TE does not mean we need one. Can everyone drop this crap about how much we need a TE.
by mquintieri on May 2, 2011 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This is what I've been trying to say.
The more sets that incorporate a TE means that less sets will incorporate 3 WR or 4 WR. We have a great set of wide receivers, Johnson, Evans, David Nelson, Parrish, even Donald Jones. Gailey didn’t get distracted by the shiny offensive toys, even though he’s an offensive guy. He stuck with rebuilding the defense, and this was not a mistake.
Go Buffalo Bills, Utah Jazz, and Arkansas Razorbacks
Yes,
But we need all the help we can get blocking right now. That may not be in the form of an “athletic” tight end, but we at least need a serviceable one. I don’t know who Chandler is or if he is any good at blocking or catching. I don’t think last year though we got much of anything from out TE’s. That is just my opinion though.
i love that picture
that is all
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5.
I feel like if
Chan Gailey had a pass catching TE on this roster, they would use it. I know it’s been said on this site before, but it needs repeating, Gailey schemes to fit his players, he doesn’t have one blanket scheme that he’s used his entire career, he’s more creative than that. I don’t think it’s that imperative that we draft a TE, we have a good blacking TE, and we have a few excellent slot receivers who can make some clutch receptions. It’s not a HUGE problem that they aren’t the same guy, even though that is ideal.
Although if I were to try and see into Gailey’s mind for a moment, given the uncertainty on the right side of our offensive line a good blocking TE is probably a lot more valuable than a great pass catching one. We’ll probably see TE utilized more as a pass catcher (and probably an upgrade at the position) if and when our offensive line doesn’t need as much help blocking.
Damn my eternal optimism, will I never learn?
NOPE, LET'S GO BUFFALO!
I was really hoping for Rudolph.
That was the only thing that really disappointed me with the Bills draft. All the best offenses these days have a recieving threat at the TE position.
Last seasons D was embarrassing ,only one player is a must keep.Nix did the right thing addressing the D.Can not believe some think keeping guys like Poz around is a must .Not selecting a QB gives Ryan confidence if next season happens,he is the smartest Bills QB since Flutie and toughest since Kelley(I understand that is not saying alot,but he is fun to watch since the effort is there).
Being a Bills fan I forgot What aTE is!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Buffalo Rumblings
Related FanShots on Buffalo Rumblings
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- How Kyle Orton almost cost the Colts Andrew Luck
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
