ProFootballCentral.com

By PFC Bills Writer Jay Kommuru

Derek Fine, TE. Drafted 4th round in the 2008 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills.

Interview.

Jay Kommuru: Did you meet with the Bills during the combine or prior to the draft?

Derek Fine: The only time was Combine; they were the only team that interviewed me.

JK: What was your initial reaction when you found out that you got drafted in the 4th round by Buffalo?

DF: To be honest I was a little surprised that I was picked in the 4th round. I knew a lot of things had to work out to be picked that early, so I was happy that it worked out that way. I had a good idea that the Bills were interested since they were the only team who interviewed me at the combine. But after the combine they never contacted me at all.

JK: Why do you think the Bills took you a little earlier than you expected?

DF: I’m 24 so that helped out with my maturity level and that was pretty big with them. I can do a lot of different things – build a block on the move, catch balls, run routes, and play ST which is always a big deal in Buffalo. I fit the mold for the utility guy that they look for in Buffalo and combine that with my maturity level, I think they liked what they saw on tape and took a shot.

JK: What were you looking for in a team or situation coming into the draft? Were you looking for a specific kind of situation, or were you just hoping that a team would give you the chance to play and if they did you’d make them proud?

DF: A little bit of both. I wanted an opportunity to play, but also wanted to go somewhere I would fit into the organization, the coaches that really wanted me there, and a place where my skills would fit into the offense. I’m very happy in Buffalo; I couldn’t have been in a better situation.

JK: How would you describe the Kansas offensive scheme, and are there any similarities that you saw during last weekend’s rookie camp with the Bills? Did they ever line you up in the backfield or split you out wide, and if so how did you perform in those situations?

DF: In Buffalo, there are a lot more details than college. I had the same scheme and position coach the whole time in Kansas, only a new OC my last year there. So there really was not a lot of change in the 4 years I was there. There is a lot of similarity in where they plan on using me in Buffalo. At Kansas they put me in the backfield, on the line, and even split out, and I think they plan on using me the same way here in Buffalo.

JK: Do you like the versatility factor?

DF: Yes I love the versatility. I like catching, blocking, and playing Special Teams. I enjoy all of it. I think that it helps me look at job security in the long run. The more versatile a player you are, the more things you can do, and the bigger chances you have of keeping a job with the team.

JK: You’ve been known for your ST play, and it’s been speculated that is one of the biggest reasons why the Bills went after you. Are you looking forward to contributing on ST in Buffalo?

DF: Yeah they used me on Teams quite a bit in Kansas and I know that’s a big deal in Buffalo, so I’m really looking forward to contributing on Special Teams. Really I just want to get on the field any which way I can.

JK: As you may know already, there’s a lot of competition at the TE position with the guys that are already on the roster. What is your approach going into training camp? Are you looking to compete and get that #1 spot, or do you feel better about coming in and competing for the #2 spot and taking a lot of the ST snaps?

DF: My approach is to keep learning from the Vets so I can catch up. I’m trying to just feel my way through and be part of the team. I really want to be a part of the roster and help the team any which way I can, Special Teams etc. I’m trying to learn the system, and I’m going to work my tail off. I want to learn the mental aspect of the game, my assignments, and the rest will take care of itself. I’m not really approaching it as if I’m gunning for one of the spots. I’m trying to catch up with the Vets and get on the same page as the rest of the team as a rookie.

JK: Were you involved at all in the community in Kansas? Do you have any plans of doing that in Buffalo?

DF: I didn’t do a whole lot in Kansas, but it is something I’m looking forward to do in Buffalo now that I’ll have more time with no classes.

My last semester at Kansas, I volunteered for an Independent study class twice a week in Lawrence, KS at an Elementary School. I’ve been around little kids since I was 12. When I graduated high school I stayed with my sister and took care of her kids, my nephew and niece. My brother has two kids with a third on the way too, so I’ve been around kids my whole life and I really enjoy spending time with them.

I have taken part in a football camp for kids ranging from elementary school to middle and high school. I’d like to get into coaching little league or something around here.

JK: What are your plans, if any, after you’re done playing football?

DF: After I’m done playing I’d like to coach high school football, be a good example, and show them that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I want to be a role model for them.

JK: Have you ever been to Buffalo before? Have you played in any extremely cold weather games? How do you think you will acclimate to the extreme temperatures we get here in December?

DF: The coldest game I’ve played in was probably the Kansas – Mizzou game last year. I remember it was really cold. I don’t know how cold exactly, but I remember it was cold because some of the guys were griping about it.

I think Buffalo will be fine. I’m playing football, I’m playing a game for money, and I think you have to count your blessings as they come. It’ll only be cold for a while; once the game starts and you start moving around it won’t be that bad.

JK: If you were to scout yourself, what would you say are a few of your strengths?

DF: I would say my maturity level since I’m a 24 yr old rookie, my Special Teams play, and my versatility since I can play different positions on the offensive side of the ball.

JK: Weaknesses?

DF: I would have to say my size. I’m 6’3″ 250lbs, so I’m not the prototypical NFL tight end who is 6’5″, but if I was bigger I probably couldn’t contribute much on Special Teams so it all kind of works out in the end. And I would say another weakness statistically is my speed. I don’t run that well on the 40, I ran a 4.8 at the combine. That’s not exactly slow, but it isn’t fast either. I feel like I’ve got good game speed however.

JK: What do you think so far of the whole draft process? Did you feel like you were a piece of meat being poked and prodded the whole time?

DF: A little bit, but after the Combine, not much. I was just working out after the Combine, making sure I kept in shape. I thought the whole Combine process was pretty easy actually. We were told where to go, when to get there, and what to do all the time. I pretty much had the same approach as I have right now in Buffalo, ‘Keep my eyes open and my mouth shut’.

JK: What are your first impressions of the coaching staff?

DF: The coaches here are real smart, real thorough guys. I’m just excited that they’ve given me the opportunity to be a part of the organization, this city, and the entire NFL experience. A lot of people don’t have that, fortunately I have that chance.

JK: What are your first impressions of the other rookies you met in camp?

DF: Good guys, real good rookie class. There are a lot of hard working guys.

JK: Can you tell me more about the Gale Sayers award, and why you received it?

DF: My Junior year at Kansas I did a lot of different things on offense and Special Teams. I was a starter my sophomore year, but junior year my reps went up a considerable amount. Even with the increased reps, I never missed any reps on Special Teams. I was pretty banged up for most of that season but I never missed a snap. Before the Toledo game I sprained my ankle, one of the O-lineman rolled up on my leg. I think that game was on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and I really couldn’t run during the week, but I still played in the next game that following Saturday. It was only a few days later, but I just put the pain in front of myself and just kept working hard.

JK: You guys at Kansas surprised a lot of folks by finishing with a 12-1 record and winning the 2008 Orange Bowl. How were you able to accomplish that as a team?

DF: A lot of hard work. Part of the reason we were able to do it was because the year before we went 6-6, and there were a few games we could’ve turned around if we would’ve just finished the games. We beat ourselves most of the games that year. We saw the opportunity that was in front of us and decided to take advantage of it last year. We were real close on the team, real tight knit group. I think the key was hard work and the camaraderie we had in the locker-room.

JK: Do you see that kind of leadership in the Buffalo locker-room so far?

DF: There’s a lot of leadership here in Buffalo. We have a lot of guys on the roster that know what’s going on and take over on the field when necessary. One thing is for sure, in Buffalo there’s a lot of great coaches, and great guys in this organization that want to win.