A little article on Tim Biere, and his experience with the Chiefs.
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Rookie TE Tim Biere searches for niche in veteran position group
Biere signed with the Chiefs this offseason as an undrafted rookie out of Kansas
#48 Tim Biere
— Tight End — Kansas
Pre-K.C.:
Biere (6-4, 260) was a team captain that started 10 of 11 games for the Jayhawks in 2011. The Omaha, Neb. native generated interest from several NFL teams following the draft, but chose to stay local and signed a rookie free agent deal with the Chiefs.
“It was pretty crazy, just the whole not knowing where I was going to go and then I end up in Kansas City where I played college ball 30 miles down the road,” Biere said. “It kind of just worked out that way. I’m so happy that I’m here, having a lot of friends here and family really close and everything like that.”
Must-See Statistic:
Biere shifted from blocker to pass-catcher over his four seasons at Kansas. He finished his college career with 66 catches for 798 yards and six touchdowns after becoming Kansas’ top tight end as a sophomore in 2009.
He began his career with the Jayhawks seeing play-time as a true freshman and began his senior campaign as one of 34 tight ends named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist. Was also named to the Phil Steele Midseason All-Big 12 First Team as a senior and earned National Tight End of the Week honors by College Football Performance Awards following a career-high performance against Oklahoma State.
Biere finished his senior season ranked second amongst Big 12 tight ends with 27 catches for 322 yards and two touchdowns.
Chiefs Nation Should Know:
Tim Biere is realistic about what he needs to do in order to make the Chiefs roster as an undrafted rookie.
Kansas City re-vamped its cast of tight ends this offseason after the position group struggled with injury and inconsistency last year. Biere is part of that re-tooling, but is the only rookie in a group filled with experienced veterans each bringing their own unique quality to the position.
“I’m kind of their young rookie they can pick on a little bit here and there, but it’s all fun, kind of how it goes,” Biere said of his first offseason in Kansas City.
Veterans Leonard Pope and Anthony Becht have moved on while former division rival
Kevin Boss was added through free agency. Play-maker
Tony Moeaki returns from a season-ending left knee injury and the coaching staff asked athletic offensive tackle
Steve Maneri to drop weight and join the position group as well. Reserve Jake O’Connell is also battling to make the Chiefs roster for a fourth consecutive season.
But that’s not all. The Chiefs also added former University of Missouri standout and St. Joseph native
Martin Rucker through free agency, but the veteran suffered a season-ending right knee injury during offseason practices.
Even with Rucker departing to injured reserve, Biere is one of five tight ends trying to make the Chiefs roster and he’s the only player in the pack with no NFL experience. In addition, the Chiefs haven’t ruled out adding another player to join the training camp competition.
“I’ve made sure to open my eyes and see what they do and how they do it,” Biere said of the elders at his position. “They’ve been around for a while, so I’m just trying to learn and do whatever the coaches need me to do - find a niche and play all the positions on special teams.”
Finding a niche is key.
Boss is the most experienced, well-rounded player of the group. Moeaki is the most athletic and possesses catch-passing ability rivaled by few tight ends in the league when healthy. Maneri has the blocking ability to re-create the reserve role Jason Dunn once played so well. O’Connell can shift into the backfield, play on the line or spread out as a receiver.
Like most any undrafted player, finding a role on special teams is a must for Biere. But he’ll also need to put his own stamp on the position group.
“The first few years of college I was more of a blocker and then I was used as more of a receiver the last two years,” Biere said. “I think versatile is kind of what I’m going for.”
Kansas’ spread offense didn’t utilize a fullback, but Biere was the man when it came time for the Jayhawks to find a hybrid player to fit that role. As a tight end, he was one of the team’s most reliable receivers splitting out wide and running routes from the offensive edge.
Biere isn’t trying to out-catch Moeaki, out-block Maneri or out-experience Boss. He’s just trying to take a little from each player to find his own niche and a place on the Chiefs roster.