Chiefs Teicher: rookies have made progress in offseason

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-19-2010, 02:41 AM

Chiefs’ rookies have made progress in offseason
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The typical first-year confusion has abated somewhat for the rookies now that the Chiefs have finished their offseason practice. That’s the point of such work, to get the bewilderment out of the way so things go more smoothly when training camp begins in late July.

“We had a chance to get our heads in the playbook, get in some practice, get in some workouts,” said tight end Tony Moeaki, a third-round pick from Iowa. “It would be a disaster for us at training camp if we didn’t have this time.”

The Chiefs can hardly afford disasters from their draft picks because they’re depending on immediate help from most of them. Eric Berry, their top pick, finished offseason practice as one starting safety, while fifth-round selection Kendrick Lewis shared the other safety position with veteran Jon McGraw.

Moeaki and second-round picks Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas were filling prominent roles. Moeaki received plenty of work at tight end, McCluster lined up from a variety of spots as a receiver or running back, and Arenas was the third cornerback.

Only third-round guard Jon Asamoah and fifth-round linebacker Cameron Sheffield were mere backups as practice concluded.

That can all change by the start of the regular season in September, but for now it appears the Chiefs will get more from their rookies than they did last year. That’s to be expected with the Chiefs taking five players in the first three rounds this year as opposed to two last year.

But even now, among last year’s eight draft picks, only defensive lineman Tyson Jackson and kicker Ryan Succop are anything more than role players. At least half of last year’s draft picks face serious battles for roster spots.

“They all have ability,” coach Todd Haley said last week regarding this year’s rookies. “There is no doubt about that. They have a good demeanor about them and a quiet confidence. They have been able to overcome setbacks without too much hoopla, and I think those are good signs. Generally with this young group I am encouraged.

“This story will be over here in a few days, and then the pads will go on and we will really start over. We will have to start making progress every day of training camp, and all of those guys will clearly be in that group.”

The Chiefs are hopeful Moeaki and McCluster can help elevate their offense. The Chiefs fed the ball to McCluster often in the offseason practices, when he showed the speed and big-play ability the Chiefs were hoping for.

Moeaki was the Chiefs’ best receiver at tight end in the offseason work, providing an element that was missing last year after the Chiefs traded Tony Gonzalez. Moeaki will have to show the Chiefs he can be a reliable blocker when training camp begins.

“Everything becomes different when you put the pads on,” Moeaki said. “Blocking becomes a part of the game. It will be interesting. It’s big because some players are different in pads.”

Moeaki missed some practice time early in the offseason because of an injury that neither he nor the Chiefs would disclose, but he returned and finished by making several big plays.

“It was good that he got (back) out there,” Haley said. “I am encouraged about him because, number one, when he wasn’t out there, he was paying attention because he was able to come in and understand what was going on and what he was supposed to do.

“That’s hard for players when they are not actually doing it, to just be seeing it, and then come out and be able to get through the practice in a positive manner. A tight end, another guy without pads, that is hard to judge other than he looks like he has a pretty good feel, can find his way open and is not afraid to catch the ball, so he is moving in the right direction.”

Berry, Lewis and Arenas are the Chiefs’ major defensive acquisitions. They added only one veteran free agent, nose tackle Shaun Smith, and he’s a backup.

Asamoah is stuck behind Brian Waters and Ryan Lilja, the veteran starters at guard. But he could win a starting spot as soon as 2011.

“I’m so much more aware of what I’m doing now than when I first got here,” Asamoah said. “Guys like Brian, Ryan and Casey (Wiegmann) are good guys to learn from. Everything here is a lot more complex than college. Everything in college seems so basic now that I look back.”

06-19-2010, 02:41 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $762813	Teicher: rookies have made progress in offseason Chiefs’ rookies have made progress in offseason By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The typical first-year confusion has abated somewhat for the rookies now that the Chiefs have finished their offseason practice. That’s the point of such work, to get the bewilderment out of the way so things go more smoothly when training camp begins in late July. “We had a chance to get our heads in the playbook, get in some practice, get in some workouts,” said tight end Tony Moeaki, a third-round pick from Iowa. “It would be a disaster for us at training camp if we didn’t have this time.” The Chiefs can hardly afford disasters from their draft picks because they’re depending on immediate help from most of them. Eric Berry, their top pick, finished offseason practice as one starting safety, while fifth-round selection Kendrick Lewis shared the other safety position with veteran Jon McGraw. Moeaki and second-round picks Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas were filling prominent roles. Moeaki received plenty of work at tight end, McCluster lined up from a variety of spots as a receiver or running back, and Arenas was the third cornerback. Only third-round guard Jon Asamoah and fifth-round linebacker Cameron Sheffield were mere backups as practice concluded. That can all change by the start of the regular season in September, but for now it appears the Chiefs will get more from their rookies than they did last year. That’s to be expected with the Chiefs taking five players in the first three rounds this year as opposed to two last year. But even now, among last year’s eight draft picks, only defensive lineman Tyson Jackson and kicker Ryan Succop are anything more than role players. At least half of last year’s draft picks face serious battles for roster spots. “They all have ability,” coach Todd Haley said last week regarding this year’s rookies. “There is no doubt about that. They have a good demeanor about them and a quiet confidence. They have been able to overcome setbacks without too much hoopla, and I think those are good signs. Generally with this young group I am encouraged. “This story will be over here in a few days, and then the pads will go on and we will really start over. We will have to start making progress every day of training camp, and all of those guys will clearly be in that group.” The Chiefs are hopeful Moeaki and McCluster can help elevate their offense. The Chiefs fed the ball to McCluster often in the offseason practices, when he showed the speed and big-play ability the Chiefs were hoping for. Moeaki was the Chiefs’ best receiver at tight end in the offseason work, providing an element that was missing last year after the Chiefs traded Tony Gonzalez. Moeaki will have to show the Chiefs he can be a reliable blocker when training camp begins. “Everything becomes different when you put the pads on,” Moeaki said. “Blocking becomes a part of the game. It will be interesting. It’s big because some players are different in pads.” Moeaki missed some practice time early in the offseason because of an injury that neither he nor the Chiefs would disclose, but he returned and finished by making several big plays. “It was good that he got (back) out there,” Haley said. “I am encouraged about him because, number one, when he wasn’t out there, he was paying attention because he was able to come in and understand what was going on and what he was supposed to do. “That’s hard for players when they are not actually doing it, to just be seeing it, and then come out and be able to get through the practice in a positive manner. A tight end, another guy without pads, that is hard to judge other than he looks like he has a pretty good feel, can find his way open and is not afraid to catch the ball, so he is moving in the right direction.” Berry, Lewis and Arenas are the Chiefs’ major defensive acquisitions. They added only one veteran free agent, nose tackle Shaun Smith, and he’s a backup. Asamoah is stuck behind Brian Waters and Ryan Lilja, the veteran starters at guard. But he could win a starting spot as soon as 2011. “I’m so much more aware of what I’m doing now than when I first got here,” Asamoah said. “Guys like Brian, Ryan and Casey (Wiegmann) are good guys to learn from. Everything here is a lot more complex than college. Everything in college seems so basic now that I look back.”
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