Everett looks to change Buffalo’s tight end history

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, May 23, 2006  |  Comments( 7 )

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Throughout their history the Buffalo Bills have been known for a host of different individual performers. O.J. Simpson. Jim Kelly. Thurman Thomas. Andre Reed. Bruce Smith. However, one thing they haven't been known for in their 45-year history is outstanding play from their tight ends. The most productive tight end in Bills history, Pete Metzelaars, played in Buffalo between 1985-1994. The Bills have since tried to find his heir apparent, but have failed. If ever a tight end on the Bills' roster could better Metzelaars, it's 23-year-old Kevin Everett.

Entering the 2005 NFL Draft, Everett was a somewhat highly-touted prospect. His production at Kilgore Junior College and the University of Miami never really bowled anyone over, but his upside did and still does. At 6-5 and 241 pounds, Everett has good size, but his athleticism is a question. His 40-yard dash time was a somewhat pedestrian 4.79, which is something seen often in your average, run-of-the-mill tight end.

Even though there were questions surrounding Everett's abilities, it didn't stop the Bills' now ex-GM, Tom Donahoe, from selecting him in the third round of the '05 draft. Many were excited about Everett, but the anxiousness was rapidly quelled, as he tore his ACL on the first day of Buffalo's May 2005 minicamp. Because of that, he had to sit out his entire rookie season, while rehabbing vigorously in the hopes that he could return to full strength.

Everett's rehab was a success, but he found himself once again injured in Bills minicamp this offseason. This time the prospect injured his groin; however, it wasn't a serious injury, and the Bills are certain Everett will rebound just fine from it. Still, it's not a positive sign that Everett sustained injuries in each of his first two mini-camps in Buffalo.

If Everett can somehow get his health in check, he has an opportunity to start for Buffalo next season. The Bills' other competitors for the number 1 job include veteran Robert Royal and backup Tim Euhus. On Everett's side is the fact that neither Royal nor Euhus have shown much ability to catch a lot of passes in their respective careers. Royal was signed to a five-year, $10 million deal in March, but he'll be an extra offensive lineman whose purpose will focus on blocking. In his three seasons, Royal has been on the receiving end of just 31 passes. Meanwhile, the oft-injured Euhus has just 14 receptions in his two seasons.

Other than Metzelaars, the Bills' history of tight ends has been filled with adequacy, not greatness. Names like Ernie Warlick , Reuben Gant, Keith McKellar, Lonnie Johnson and Jay Riemersma are the best remaining tight ends in the franchise's history, but none can be accused of setting the league on fire. Warlick, who only played four seasons, made the Pro Bowl every year for the AFL's version of the Bills. He only caught 90 passes in his time, but tight end play was much different back in Warlick's heyday.

Nobody is expecting Everett to make the sort of impact that the San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates or the Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez have, but a couple of 50-catch seasons wouldn't hurt, either. After all, a solid tight end is a young quarterback's best friend. Assuming third-year man J.P. Losman wins the starting QB job in Buffalo, he'll need Everett to be his security blanket. With Everett's talent, it just might happen, and the Bills would have their best tight end since Metzelaars' heyday nearly a decade and a half ago.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on Buffalo's offense at Realfootball365.com
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