NFL
Bills hope tight end emerges as a 'Royal treat'
by CHRISTOPHER GORDON Orchard Park Editor

Buffalo Bills tight end Robert Royal expects his role to expand and become a bigger weapon in the team's passing attack this season. Photo by Patrick McPartland

Each year, fantasy football league owners seek those hidden gems to emerge as players who will propel them to the championship.

Robert Royal - whom the Bills plucked from the Washington Redskins in 2006 as a free agent - is a player who could fall into that category this year.

"Consider what I did at the end of the season last year," said Royal, who had a touchdown catch in three straight games against the San Diego Chargers, N.Y. Jets and Miami Dolphins in December.

Royal had a chance to make it four straight but was unable to keep both feet in bounds in the end zone on a throw from receiver Lee Evans against Tennessee on Dec. 24.

"I never know when I will be that guy," said Royal.

In the first half of last season, offensive line struggles forced Royal to concentrate on his blocking abilities.

But during the bye week, the Bills made changes on the offensive line and, with the additions of guard Derrick Dockery from Washington and right tackle Langston Walker from Oakland this offseason, as well as emerging star Jason Peters at left tackle, the line looks much improved.

Royal's numbers from 2006 - 23 catches, 233 yards and three touchdowns - may increase significantly in 2007. His most productive game was against Miami, where, on a windy day, he caught three passes for 62 yards and a 33-yard touchdown strike. That game allowed him to display his ability to make plays down field.

With a receiving corps that features 5-foot-11 Peerless Price as its tallest of four players, Royal's name might be heard commonly - especially in the red zone.

He said it is now common to see tight ends score more touchdowns because most players at the position cause match-up problems.

"Normally, they are bigger than safeties," said Royal.

While he has set no personal goal on catches and touchdowns he would like to attain, his main goal is just to "improve (his statistics) each and every year."

During Friday night's 13-10 preseason loss to Atlanta at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Bills' quarterback J.P. Losman threw a high pass to Royal along the sideline in the first quarter in the red zone after an interception by cornerback Terrence McGee that was returned to the Falcons' 17-yard line. Although the pass was incomplete, it is a sight that may become more common in the Bills' passing attack this season.

One of the main reasons the Bills signed him on the first day of free agency in 2006 was because of his abilities as a punishing pass and run blocker.

To be an effective player at his position, Royal said he knows that he must be balanced and have the ability to catch a pass or block well. And when he is lining up as a receiver, he knows he has to be flexible.

"You have to be able to run routes as a tight end and receiver," said Royal.

Coming to a new team, Royal believes that having a year under offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild's system will allow him to blossom into an even greater contributor this season.

"Last year I improved on picking up the system," he said.

Royal also said he relishes having the chance to play football on this level. While he understands the hard work it takes to be successful, he also takes it as a personal responsibility to be one of the players who keeps the locker room loose.

"It's real critical," said Royal, who admits that he thinks it is important to have a good time doing what you do.

In high school, where players often perform on both sides of the ball, Royal said he was a great pash rusher. He often jokes with coaches, asking them when his time will come to rush the opposing quarterback.

"I'm always joking with them," said Royal, adding that he has told the coaches that he would like to be the first player in history to record five touchdown receptions and five sacks in the same season.

With the Bills losing defensive end Ryan Denney indefinitely with a broken foot suffered in Friday's loss and Anthony Hargrove forced to sit out the first four regular season games due to a league suspension resulting from a recent arrest in Rochester, Royal just may get his chance to make history.

e-mail:cgordon@beenews.com