Derek Fine Appraisal from Someone Who's seen practically all of his snaps

[JayHawk]

I wasn't going to make this into a thread, but there has been more than one request, so here it is:

The first thing that comes to mind with Fine is that he's an all around player. Very good blocking, very good catching (mostly, I'll get into that in a sec), very hard worker, smart, and very tough. Basically, you name it, the guy can do it. He may not be a superstar in any one single area, but he does everything really well.

I've seen this guy take hits over the middle and hold onto the ball that would possible kill other players. There was a catch in the Orange Bowl he made for a first down where he got leveled and had his helmet knocked off, but he didn't let go of the ball.

Also, the guy is very smart. He reads the defense well and had the ability to find the open spots on the field. You also have to take into account the type of offense that KU runs (especially this last year). KU basically runs a no huddle offense. As soon as a play is over the entire offense lines up immediately, then the QB/Receivers/Running back look over to the side line to get the play from the line of scrimmage, and the QB calls it from the line of scrimmage. This requires the entire team to be able to change what they are doing instantly on every single play and it requires the discipline of those on the line to not move for the entire play clock.

The only knocks I have on the guy are he isn't the fastest (not that he's slow by any means, mind you) and that there are times when he is wide open and is looking to run with the ball before he catches it. More than once I've seen him drop wide open passes because he was already looking up field. That's something that can be fixed, but it could be frustrating as a fan sometimes.

Also, what we got is a player who will bust his butt every play of every game. I never watched Fine and thought he wasn't giving it his all. This guy is loved in Lawrence for a reason.

Ah yes, one more thing. I see Fine as our threat over the middle. He probably isn't going to stretch the field, but he will catch all the balls over the middle and take the hit. Never hurts to have a guy like that on your team.

[ThankEvans83]

Reading about him makes me feel better. Doesn't sound as bad as I thought him. Do you think he could be a #1? He would probably make a very good #2, but could he be a true #1?

[JayHawk]

Reading about him makes me feel better. Doesn't sound as bad as I thought him. Do you think he could be a #1? He would probably make a very good #2, but could he be a true #1?

I guess what a team is looking for in a #1. I don't think he'll ever be the level of a Tony Gonzalez, but he's the type of guy that is solid for years and years and years on a team. He'll be the guy you never think of a lot, but is always there making the plays.

[wyo]

Thanks, JayHawk. I always like to read about players from the people on this board who watch them play.

I've been hoping the Bills would draft a very good blocking TE, so what you are writing here is of some comfort to me that this guy will be able to come in and help the team.

If you think of anything else to add, please do because I was very interested in this pick, and the minute I found out he was from Kansas, I knew we could get some good information about him from you.

:ballburglar:

[JayHawk]

Thanks, JayHawk. I always like to read about players from the people on this board who watch them play.

I've been hoping the Bills would draft a very good blocking TE, so what you are writing here is of some comfort to me that this guy will be able to come in and help the team.

If you think of anything else to add, please do because I was very interested in this pick, and the minute I found out he was from Kansas, I knew we could get some good information about him from you.

:ballburglar:

Thanks Wyo, not quite as eloquent as your Wendling posts, but I do my best.

[MJM13]

I guess what a team is looking for in a #1. I don't think he'll ever be the level of a Tony Gonzalez, but he's the type of guy that is solid for years and years and years on a team. He'll be the guy you never think of a lot, but is always there making the plays.


Thanks this is seriously a great thread. You know how many people jumped all over this pick yesterday who have never once seen the guy play (they haven't heard his name before, so he can't possibly be any good, right?). Very nice to get some honest info from someone actually qualified to give it. Very nice job.

[Cagey Dick]

I was kind of skeptical of this pick, but reading what you had to say and hearing the coaches thoughts on him I feel better now. I went into the draft w/ the mindset that no matter who we pick, the coaches know more than me or anyone on these boards and I wasn't going to get p****d, but I found myself getting a little upset about this pick and the Corner pick. After wading through all the sh** and hearing from the real fans....I feel alot better now.

Thankyou.

[bunnerjk]

Thanks for your analysis, but this is comming from a KU :dolfans:.

Do you think he would have been on the board in the 7th?

[JayHawk]

Thanks for your analysis, but this is comming from a KU :dolfans:.

Do you think he would have been on the board in the 7th?

I openly admit I'm a KU homer. However, I've seen a LOT of bad KU football over the years so I'm not above calling them like I see them. If he wasn't that good, I'd say it. Don't forget, I'm also a Bills homer, and as one, I'm happy that we got Fine.

As far as your question, I don't understand. Do I think he would have been on the board in the 7th? No idea, he was taken in the fourth.

[billsfanpozlynch]

Thanks for posting this. I didn't know anything about him, but now he seems like a pretty good pick.

[TaTownBacker10]

I too saw almost all of Derek Fine's snaps the last few years. I also played DI Football as a LB'er from 1998-2002. The kid is a hard nosed football player who plays with great emotion. I think he will have a good career with the Bills. Everything said about him thus far is true.


Ta TownBacker

[Ibhappy]

I have this right, don't I?

[Happy Lee]

Thanks. Sounds like a solid addition. you think he coud compete with Royal this year? or eventually?

[wallsofjeriko13]

Jayhawk, thanks for the post. I was wondering what you thought about him. I wonder if he can be a little 4th round suprise like Chris Cooley was. Not the biggest or the fastest but finds a way to get open and score touchdowns.

I don't know why I would think this, but did he do any longsnapping?

[DeJong]

I really like his tougness and willingness to compete. He sounds like a great over the middles short yardage TE. Good blocking is a great asset! Thanks for the post! :)

[Rick James]

JayHawk, would you compare him to someone like Jason Witten? That's the name that came to mind when you described Fine.

[malaysianbuffalo]

Thanks. Sounds like a solid addition. you think he coud compete with Royal this year? or eventually?

I hope he starts the season instead of Royal.
Thanks for the post jayhawk. After Everett
we need a bit of luck. 3 starters from the draft
would be more than great.

[Lirdoco]

I was expecting your post. I take this one over anything I've read, thanks

[Keating5]

The first thing that comes to mind with Fine is that he's an all around player. Very good blocking, very good catching (mostly, I'll get into that in a sec), very hard worker, smart, and very tough. Basically, you name it, the guy can do it. He may not be a superstar in any one single area, but he does everything really well.

Do you think he's strong enough to line up with his hand on the ground and dominate DEs at the point of attack? or more of a move guy?

[JayHawk]

Do you think he's strong enough to line up with his hand on the ground and dominate DEs at the point of attack? or more of a move guy?

At the NFL Level? Can't say for sure to be honest. I can only tell you what I've seen at the college level. In college he routinely took on guys much bigger than him and held his own just fine.

[bunnerjk]

I openly admit I'm a KU homer. However, I've seen a LOT of bad KU football over the years so I'm not above calling them like I see them. If he wasn't that good, I'd say it. Don't forget, I'm also a Bills homer, and as one, I'm happy that we got Fine.

As far as your question, I don't understand. Do I think he would have been on the board in the 7th? No idea, he was taken in the fourth.
Most would define that as a "reach"!!!!!

[JayHawk]

Most would define that as a "reach"!!!!!

Most would be wrong.

[bunnerjk]

Most would be wrong.
The Bills let him make the team to save face, they should have kept Courtney Anderson.

[JayHawk]

The Bills let him make the team to save face, they should have kept Courtney Anderson.


Well that's one man's opinion. One confused, clueless opinion....

[bunnerjk]

Well that's one man's opinion. One confused, clueless opinion....
Maybe so, I would have prefered Tim Massaqui.