Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

[buffalowdown]

28. Buffalo Bills
The Bills' playbook doesn't include many opportunities for the tight end. Robert Royal has good size and strength, but is an average athlete and doesn't put much pressure on the defense. Royal has inconsistent hands and is an average route runner. He is a solid blocker, locking on defenders to set the edge effectively. Backup Kevin Everett has not been utilized much in his first two seasons and has the raw athleticism to be a threat in the air attack. He has good speed and agility to develop into a solid route runner and can move the chains after the catch. Everett needs to add weight and strength to become a more effective blocker, but has the frame to move forward in this area. Matt Murphy is a career backup with little playing experience.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=2923211&univLogin02=stateChanged&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d2923211%26univLogin02%3dstateChanged

[Devin]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

I cant believe there were 4 teams worse then us, id have guessed lower.

Btw I fixed it for ya but in the future dont post the whole article, just create a quick quote with a few lines and link to it. Thanks

[Philagape]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

The Bills have tight ends?

[gil]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

if anyone argues this one, serious medication is in order.

[B-DON]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

nfl europa teams had better te's then us

[YardRat]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

I think we'll be higher at the end of the season. I expect a pretty decent year out of Royals.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

Pete Metz was our last TE, I cannot remember one since.........

[BlackMetalNinja]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

Yeah, I honestly can't believe we were that high... TE has become like a unicorn to Buffalo... a mythical creature!

[YardRat]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

I know I'm going to catch hell for this, but as far as the receiving aspect of the tight end, no other position on offense is as reliant on the QB for success.

Better QB's help make better tight ends.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

I know I'm going to catch hell for this, but as far as the receiving aspect of the tight end, no other position on offense is as reliant on the QB for success.

Better QB's help make better tight ends.

So the game planning has nothing to do w/ it?

[YardRat]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

So the game planning has nothing to do w/ it?

I didn't say that. But...Game-planning doesn't mean squat if you don't have players that can execute it.

And please, don't turn this into a JP thread...I've already stated I expect the TE's to perform better this year, which as an extension of my comment would indicate that I expect JP to play better than last year also.

But think about it...Who would you consider to be the best TE's in the Bill's history? Who were their QB's? Take any TE from any era that you consider to be top-notch, and see who their QB was.

Offensive lines can still dominate a game without a decent QB, as can RB's. Hell, even WR's can still post numbers without the best QB behind center. TE's are rarely successful as receivers without above average quarterbacking.

[!Papacrunk!]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

I think we'll be higher at the end of the season. I expect a pretty decent year out of Royals.

wasn't this said last year when he signed? I may be wrong

[Crisis]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

no

[djjimkelly]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

Pete Metz was our last TE, I cannot remember one since.........

riemersma was a solid TE

[Pinkerton Security]

Re: Buffalo is ranked #28 in TEs by ESPN.com

The last big play I remember our TE's making (other than Royal's blunder in the back of the endzone last year) was Campbell's deep catch against NE in the '03 opener against the Pats where he got laid out and was down for a while but still held onto the ball.

That being said, with our TE's, I dont expect Gate's or Gonzalez type numbers, I just want them to be able to keep the defense honest, and block when needed.