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Both fourth-round picks of the Buffalo Bills are signed as tight end Derek Fine inked his rookie contract with the club. Fine had agreed to terms late last week and the paperwork was finalized Wednesday. He joins fellow fourth-round pick Reggie Corner who signed two weeks earlier.
Fine excelled at the rookie minicamp in early May as he was the only tight end present and benefited from getting every offensive rep taken. But when the OTAs began Fine saw his reps decrease sharply with several veterans on the roster ahead of him on the depth chart. More of the playbook was also installed and Fine along with the rest of the rookies took some time to get a handle on things.
But the Kansas product has shown reliable hands and good route running ability through the spring. As for his blocking it's considered his strength. It's why he considers himself a solid all-around tight end not just a pass catcher or a blocker at the position. He'll just have to wait until training camp to put his blocking on display.
"I'm not real big," said the 6'2 ½" 247-pound tight end. "I'm kind of right in the middle and I like that because I think it helps me out and I like being versatile and playing different positions and on special teams. I like playing football and so for me at my size I think it's an advantage because I like to do it all."
In all likelihood Fine will see time on the field early on special teams. He was a four-unit special teamer at Kansas. Bills special teams coordinator Bobby April is eager to make use of Fine's coverage team abilities.
"He's a guy that all four years he was at Kansas he played on all four special teams," said April. "He played on everything for four years. I saw him on film play on special teams so I know what he can do and he's fantastic. I think he's a good tight end and he's going to play tight end, but we put a lot of priority in him and investment in him because I think he's going to be a knock down drag out special teamer. I think he's really going to be good."
For now though Fine is just adjusting his game to the speed of the pro level and knows when the pads go on in training camp it will be that much faster.
"It's a whole different level," said Fine. "And the coaches are trying to bring us up to that level. It's completely different and it's a thing you have to work your way into, so that's what I'm trying to do."
I know lots of teams have signed there 1st round picks...
Yep - and the longer we wait guys like McKelvin and Hardy (and their agents) will see how much money is being paid out for rookie contracts and demand at least the same.
I'm not too worried - but McKelvin is definitely not going to come cheap.
Great another mediocre talent officially on the roster.
It's a bit early to make a negative judgment on a player who hasn't even been in pads yet.
Oh wait, this is the BillsZone. We know guys suck before they attend their first OTA.
Should have known, way back in 1960 when we drafted Richie Lucas Number 1, that this would be a long, hard ride. But who could have known it would be THIS bad?
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another mediocre talent officially on the roster.
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