Shawn Nelson "fairly secure" as starter

[BillsWin]

LINK (http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/07/22/increased-role-coming-for-bills-te-nelson)


Bills TE Shawn Nelson wasn't exactly a major contributor after being taken in the fourth round last season, catching just 17 passes and one touchdown in 12 games (all starts). But with the team's lack of receiving weapons heading into 2010, Nelson could be set to take on an increased role in the passing attack. From what we hear, not only is the Southern Miss product fairly secure in his starting job, but he was a busy target during offseason practices.


Good. I like him a lot and think he has the tools to become one of the better tight ends in the league.

[Pinkerton Security]

I think he could be an elite pass-catching TE in the NFL with the right QB...sadly, we dont have that QB...still, we all know Trent loooooves the checkdown so Nelson might still catch 40 or 50 balls if he stays healthy.

[justasportsfan]

It's the writers opinion. If he doesn't improve on his blocking , he may not be the starting TE. This OL is gonna need a TE that can help out.

[WeAreArthurMoates]

He's becoming one of my favorite, he's right now holding me up on getting a spiller jersey.

[madness]

...by default?

http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/102705469/bills_normal.jpg (http://twitter.com/buffalobillscom) buffalobillscom (http://twitter.com/buffalobillscom) (http://billszone.com/fanzone/)
The Buffalo Bills today announced that the team has placed TE Joe Klopfenstein on injured reserve

[psubills62]

...by default?

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The Buffalo Bills today announced that the team has placed TE Joe Klopfenstein on injured reserve

Yeah, now that Klopfenstein is out of way, Nelson will surely be able to keep his starting job safe! /sarcasm

Just messing with you, madness.

I think the top 3 TE's are Nelson, Schouman and Matthews. The latter is a guy Gailey seems to like.

[Yasgur's Farm]

I question Blunda's assertion that Nelson started the 12 games... Schouman was the starter before he got hurt. And Nelson had quite a few games missed due to shoulder issues and migraine headaches.

[OpIv37]

It's the writers opinion. If he doesn't improve on his blocking , he may not be the starting TE. This OL is gonna need a TE that can help out.

For once, we agree- I was just going to say the exact same thing.

I hope he worked on his strength and blocking in the off-season.

If not, maybe Gailey will consider using him as a wideout.

[Yasgur's Farm]

2010 Season Outlook
Nelson runs a 4.56 40 at 240 pounds and has an immense wingspan, meaning he has the stature of a guy who could be a surprise fantasy star. But he had those same physical tools last year and managed just 18 catches in his rookie season. His problem comes down to the game's mental side; he isn't a good route-runner, and he frustrated Bills coaches with his lack of consistency. Really, though, there's no other tight end on Buffalo's roster who deserves to start above him. Maybe Chan Gailey takes it upon himself to make Nelson a factor.

[madness]

Yeah, now that Klopfenstein is out of way, Nelson will surely be able to keep his starting job safe! /sarcasm

Just messing with you, madness.

I think the top 3 TE's are Nelson, Schouman and Matthews. The latter is a guy Gailey seems to like.

:rofl: me too.

[ServoBillieves]

Derek Schouman seemed like the smart play to me, but I guess that safety net for the QB is a must.

[Pinkerton Security]

Derek Schouman seemed like the smart play to me, but I guess that safety net for the QB is a must.

Schouman is more solid, but his upside isnt very high...you get what you see and not much else.

Im too lazy to look this up...where is Derek Fine? did we release him or is he on our roster still?

[psubills62]

Schouman is more solid, but his upside isnt very high...you get what you see and not much else.

Im too lazy to look this up...where is Derek Fine? did we release him or is he on our roster still?

He's definitely not on our roster. Went to the Rams, got cut, now I think he's with the Texans.

[JCBills]

It's the writers opinion. If he doesn't improve on his blocking , he may not be the starting TE. This OL is gonna need a TE that can help out.

Nelson won't be do-it-all Jason Witten out there, but I think he showed he can block last season, or at least be serviceable in the area. A good amount of #1 pass catching TEs are terrible blockers, and I wouldn't call Nelson terrible. Started off his career with a few key blocks leading to big plays and a TD catch in the same monday night. Plus the dude has WR speed, if he starts making plays, teams will be forced to account for him on every down.

[JCBills]

For once, we agree- I was just going to say the exact same thing.

I hope he worked on his strength and blocking in the off-season.

If not, maybe Gailey will consider using him as a wideout.

I think we split him out a few times last preseason.

[Spiderweb]

It's the writers opinion. If he doesn't improve on his blocking , he may not be the starting TE. This OL is gonna need a TE that can help out.

He may start, but is as pointed out above, if his blocking hasn't improved by leaps and bounds, his snaps will suffer accordingly.

[bigbub2352]

problem is that we dont have a qb good enough on the roster to find the TE, not to mention the horrible playcalling that had our TE running a 2yd out on 3rd and 12 every game last year.


Nelson has all the tools i agree, but Tony GOnzales would have sucked on this team last yr for sure.

[HHURRICANE]

LINK (http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/07/22/increased-role-coming-for-bills-te-nelson)




Good. I like him a lot and think he has the tools to become one of the better tight ends in the league.

Another reason why I think Hardy is done.

Our TE is faster than our WR.

[Yasgur's Farm]

James Hardy turned a few heads in Indianapolis by running a 4.47 40 yard dash. Hardy also did 18 reps on the bench press at the NFL Combine, showing he has the upper body strength to get off press coverage in the NFL. Hardy has some minor character issues, but a team in need of a number 1 receiver will look his way in the first round.HH... I know you got something to say... But at least be accurate... Shawn Nelson runs a 4.56 vs Hardy's 4.47.

[ddaryl]

He'll make the team of course... How much he contributes is debateable....

These kind of topics are really reserved for 2-3 games into pre-season IMO when players and team start to look the part.

[justasportsfan]

if his blocking hasn't improved by leaps and bounds, his snaps will suffer accordingly.

Unless the OL does so well without needing the TE to help block.