Tweet
The Bills have since revamped their tight end corps. Massaquoi, Royal and Schouman are the only holdovers from last season as the club added Courtney Anderson in free agency and Derek Fine via the draft. But while there are new pieces there are no defined roles for any of them.
"It's unsettled," said head coach Dick Jauron. "There's no doubt about that, but I like the group. We're optimistic."
But who will be the starter?
Robert Royal is the incumbent, but he hasn't taken a snap since last season as offseason knee surgery forced him to miss the entire spring. Jauron and tight ends coach Charlie Coiner need to see Royal bounce back and return to more of his 2006 form.
"I'm very happy with what Robert has done this offseason," said Jauron. "He's done everything that's been asked of him by the trainers in rehab. We anticipate he'll be completely healthy for training camp and that's good. Strength wise, weight wise, body fat, all of those things are good in his case and he's a guy we trust completely."
"For me I want to get out there and compete, but in reality you have to be concerned with what's going on and if you still have an issue and you still want to make sure it's 100 percent right," said Royal of his knee. "But I think everything is taking its course and hopefully it will continue to go well so I can go out there and put up some big numbers."
Looking at Royal's competition he may have to. Derek Schouman had a strong spring as he was a frequent target of Trent Edwards in the OTAs and minicamp. Schouman was also a noticeable presence in the red zone. Even though the pads aren't on yet, Schouman's play is not expected to drop off when the team arrives at training camp as his blocking ability allowed the staff to utilize him in a fullback role last season.
"I've always considered myself an all-around tight end where I take a lot of pride in my blocking as well as running routes," said Schouman. "It's a whole different game when you put the pads on and that's what I like and that's a physical game."
"Derek [Schouman] is a fine football player and when we drafted him a year ago, we had some inside information on him with (offensive line coach) Sean Kugler coming onto our staff," said Jauron. "And what Sean told us and what we saw on film, is what we're seeing now. The guy knows how to play the game, he has a feel for the game, and he is a very hard worker and determined to succeed."
Also in the mix for the starting role is free agent pickup Courtney Anderson. He and Schouman were both used with the first unit in two tight end sets with Royal rehabbing his knee. At 6'7" 270 pounds Anderson moves well for his size and was a factor in the passing game this spring.
"It's unsettled," said head coach Dick Jauron. "There's no doubt about that, but I like the group. We're optimistic."
But who will be the starter?
Robert Royal is the incumbent, but he hasn't taken a snap since last season as offseason knee surgery forced him to miss the entire spring. Jauron and tight ends coach Charlie Coiner need to see Royal bounce back and return to more of his 2006 form.
"I'm very happy with what Robert has done this offseason," said Jauron. "He's done everything that's been asked of him by the trainers in rehab. We anticipate he'll be completely healthy for training camp and that's good. Strength wise, weight wise, body fat, all of those things are good in his case and he's a guy we trust completely."
"For me I want to get out there and compete, but in reality you have to be concerned with what's going on and if you still have an issue and you still want to make sure it's 100 percent right," said Royal of his knee. "But I think everything is taking its course and hopefully it will continue to go well so I can go out there and put up some big numbers."
Looking at Royal's competition he may have to. Derek Schouman had a strong spring as he was a frequent target of Trent Edwards in the OTAs and minicamp. Schouman was also a noticeable presence in the red zone. Even though the pads aren't on yet, Schouman's play is not expected to drop off when the team arrives at training camp as his blocking ability allowed the staff to utilize him in a fullback role last season.
"I've always considered myself an all-around tight end where I take a lot of pride in my blocking as well as running routes," said Schouman. "It's a whole different game when you put the pads on and that's what I like and that's a physical game."
"Derek [Schouman] is a fine football player and when we drafted him a year ago, we had some inside information on him with (offensive line coach) Sean Kugler coming onto our staff," said Jauron. "And what Sean told us and what we saw on film, is what we're seeing now. The guy knows how to play the game, he has a feel for the game, and he is a very hard worker and determined to succeed."
Also in the mix for the starting role is free agent pickup Courtney Anderson. He and Schouman were both used with the first unit in two tight end sets with Royal rehabbing his knee. At 6'7" 270 pounds Anderson moves well for his size and was a factor in the passing game this spring.
"Expect rejection, but expect more to overcome it." 
Comment