Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

[shelby]

The Buffalo Bills hailed Derek Fine and Shawn Nelson as potential impact players when selecting the tight ends in each of the last two drafts.
It's time to find out if the Bills were right.
Derek Schouman's season-ending knee injury means Fine, a second-year pro, and Nelson, a rookie, will have more prominent roles on offense beginning with Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.
"It was unfortunate with Schouman because he was off to a good year," Bills offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said. "Now we need Fine to do the things we expect of him and Shawn is going to have to step up and contribute earlier than we expected."
Fine, a fourth-round pick last year, was inactive the first six games as a rookie, his absence due in large part to surgery on an injured thumb. But he made quite an impression in his professional debut, scoring a touchdown on his first NFL catch. He finished the season with 10 catches for 94 yards.
Van Pelt said Fine would have started in the opener at New England two weeks ago if not for an ailing hamstring. Fortunately for the Bills, Fine is available now that they need him the most.

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[Coach Sal]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

Schouman was looking good and it's really, really sad what happened to him.

But we're a better football team with Fine and/or Nelson on the field for 60-minutes each week.

Nelson has already proved he can make playes and is only going to get better.

I was really impressed with Fine as a pass catcher, but especially as a blocker, in training camp last year. He just seems to always be injured.

I think we'll be Fine (no pun intended) as long as these guys can stay healthy.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

Schouman was looking good and it's really, really sad what happened to him.

But we're a better football team with Fine and/or Nelson on the field for 60-minutes each week.

Nelson has already proved he can make playes and is only going to get better.

I was really impressed with Fine as a pass catcher, but especially as a blocker, in training camp last year. He just seems to always be injured.

I think we'll be Fine (no pun intended) as long as these guys can stay healthy.

I think Schouman was the most polished of the three, and therefore was the starter. But I think Fine, who is bigger, will prove to be the better blocker and at least as good a pass catcher, and Nelson has the athleticism to be a game breaker.

[casdhf]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

Schouman was looking good and it's really, really sad what happened to him.

But we're a better football team with Fine and/or Nelson on the field for 60-minutes each week.

Nelson has already proved he can make playes and is only going to get better.

I was really impressed with Fine as a pass catcher, but especially as a blocker, in training camp last year. He just seems to always be injured.

I think we'll be Fine (no pun intended) as long as these guys can stay healthy.

Liar! You capitalized "Fine" and meant to pun.

[Coach Sal]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

Liar! You capitalized "Fine" and meant to pun.

Haha. I guess I did. Subconscious pun intended.

[madness]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

I think Schouman was the most polished of the three, and therefore was the starter. But I think Fine, who is bigger, will prove to be the better blocker and at least as good a pass catcher, and Nelson has the athleticism to be a game breaker.

Schouman was definitely the more polished TE but he won the starting position by default.

Van Pelt said Fine would have started in the opener at New England two weeks ago if not for an ailing hamstring. Fortunately for the Bills, Fine is available now that they need him the most.

[trapezeus]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

schouman was good. i'll give him the respect he deserves, but i also think that fine and nelson are going to be good in his spot.

if nelson gets open in the middle of the field for big gains and first downs, that is part of the puzzle to beating the saints.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

I thought Fine would've been the starter if he didn't get injured anyways.

[bigbub2352]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

AVP said Fine would have been the starter against NE if he hadnt been hurt, FIne and Schouman both have injury issues,
We need Stupar and Nelson to really turn it on, and Fine needs to be effective in the rungame and help out Scott
I think we should also be looking into some depth here and stash it on the PS
i know they brought in Klopenstein for a work out if e is eligable i wouldnt mind him on there he can block

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

Nelson looked to be out as he only took limited practice yesterday (catching balls from teh machine) and no practice at all today.

[HHURRICANE]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

I actaully thought we were heavey at TE and I thought Shouman or Fine were more likely to get cut than Stupar or Nelson.

I don't think we are losing anything by not having Schouman on the field. I think Butler is the big loss from week 2.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

I thought Shouman or Fine were more likely to get cut than Stupar or Nelson.
.

we're not surprised

[PECKERWOOD]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

Isn't this what we were all hoping for? I think many of us like Fine & Nelson more than Schouman.

[patmoran2006]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

nelson is now doubtful for Sunday

[ddaryl]

Re: Fine, Nelson step in at TE for Bills

Isn't this what we were all hoping for? I think many of us like Fine & Nelson more than Schouman.

Hoping for ???

Schouman was winning me over with his play the 1st 2 games, but I was never down on Fine liek others, and thought he had a solid rookie year.. and we all have high hopes for Nelson.

Hopefully Fine is recovered enough