Chiefs Teicher: Tony Moeaki making impact at Chiefs tight end

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-25-2010, 12:48 AM

Tony Moeaki making impact at Chiefs tight end
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

To improve last year’s sluggish passing game, the Chiefs went to work on their ragged group of receivers. They re-signed Chris Chambers, planned on improvement from Dwayne Bowe, signed Jerheme Urban and drafted Dexter McCluster.

But when Matt Cassel needed a go-to receiver in this year’s first two games, he went to none of those players but to another more unlikely source. Rookie tight end Tony Moeaki has delivered the Chiefs’ only receiving touchdown this season, a 2-yard catch in the opener in San Diego, and had two key third-down catches that extended second-half scoring drives in last week’s win in Cleveland. Moeaki leads the Chiefs with eight receptions, three more than Bowe, their second-leading receiver. While there’s plenty of time for Bowe, Chambers and others to pass Moeaki, it seems clear that a year after trading Tony Gonzalez, tight end is again a receiving threat for the Chiefs.

“Sometimes the defense just dictates who the ball goes to,” Cassel said. “Last week, Tony got a lot of great looks and was able to get open on a lot of those coverages they were giving us.

“Tony has done a great job. He has come in since day one and done what the coaching staff has asked him to do. He works tremendously hard, and he had a great game last week. We just hope that continues on throughout the rest of the year.”

Heading into Sunday’s game against San Francisco at Arrowhead Stadium, Moeaki’s numbers are humble on a leaguewide scale. With eight receptions, he’s not in the top 40, and the two third-down catches also put him well down the list.

But the Chiefs’ passing game is floundering, and there’s no telling where this team might be without Moeaki.

“I just happened to come open,” said Moeaki, a third-round draft pick. “Matt threw some really good passes. Those plays could have gone to anyone. That’s just the way the plays have been working out.”

It was difficult to imagine just a few weeks ago that Moeaki might be the Chiefs’ top receiver. He didn’t play much in the preseason, and coach Todd Haley suggested it was because Moeaki struggled with the grind of training camp and not because the Chiefs were keeping him under wraps until the start of the regular season.

“Tight ends in training camp are lumped in with offensive linemen,” Haley said. “Generally they’re not going to feel very good (physically). That’s just the way that it is. That mentality is critical to the success of tight ends, and Tony is developing that and he’s got a ways to go, but I would say there are some encouraging signs about him.

“I would never keep somebody (out) that could be a part of this team. You’ve got to get ready, you’ve got to get ready to go, and you’ve got to utilize every bit of time you have because that’s a difficult position. You’re learning run and pass routes, steps, adjustments, all those things, which is a big job.”

The start to Moeaki’s career is also notable because tight ends usually don’t make much of an impact as rookies. Gonzalez caught only 33 passes in his first season in 1997.

San Francisco’s Vernon Davis, now one of the league’s top pass-receiving tight ends, caught just 20 passes as a rookie in 2006.

“You have to be a guy that’s familiar with the protections,” San Francisco coach Mike Singletary said.

“You have to be a little bit of a blocker. You have to be a little bit of a guy that can catch the football. There’s a lot of information that a tight end has to know. A lot of times that really slows down the process of learning it all.

“(Moeaki) does a good job blocking. He shows up in the passing game in the intermediate routes. He’s overall a solid tight end.”

49ERS AT CHIEFS
Noon Sunday at Arrowhead (Channel 4)

**BossChief** · 09-25-2010, 01:00 AM

KEEP ****ING DOUBTING TONY MOEAKI!!!

nevermind, not too many people are doubting him anymore.

Kid is gonna be a future probowler when we get a quarterback...and of course if he can avoid the fluke injuries that hurt his ability to stay on the field at Iowa.

I bet he plays a pivotal role if we beat the 49ers.

RustShack · 09-25-2010, 01:02 AM

Hopefully Cassel gets hurt so we can start Croyle. If that happens, we are playoff bound.

Fritz88 · 09-25-2010, 01:19 AM

I could swear Adam is blowing someone at the star to get this shit published!!
Posted via Mobile Device

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-25-2010, 01:40 AM

Adam Teicher at his finest

Hog's Gone Fishin · 09-25-2010, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Hopefully Cassel gets hurt so we can start Croyle. If that happens, we are playoff bound.

This x 10 !

Pioli Zombie · 09-25-2010, 05:43 AM

I'm concerned this will take carries away from Charles.

**bevischief** · 09-25-2010, 06:02 AM

What no mention of Charles in the article?

LaChapelle · 09-25-2010, 08:55 AM

The Chiefs will cut Cassel
Joshie will pick him up
and he will burn the Chiefs for years after Tebow flames out

beach tribe · 09-25-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

KEEP ****ING DOUBTING TONY MOEAKI!!!

nevermind, not too many people are doubting him anymore.

Kid is gonna be a future probowler when we get a quarterback...and of course if he can avoid the fluke injuries that hurt his ability to stay on the field at Iowa.

I bet he plays a pivotal role if we beat the 49ers.

You were beating that drum all off-season. I had High hopes, but didn't know he would look this good this early. If he stays healthy we'll have a top flight TE for the next decade. Poor man's TG.

Chiefs Pantalones · 09-25-2010, 09:49 AM

lmao today it's "Tony Moeaki making impact at Chiefs tight end" tomorrow it will be...

Dexter McCluster making impact at Chiefs wide receiver. then...

Derrick Johnson making impact at Chiefs linebacker. and then...

Shaun Smith making impact at Chiefs defensive end. and then...

Ryan Succop making impact at Chiefs kicker.

How the F does this guy have a job? It's KCStar college newspaper at its finest.

**Baby Lee** · 09-25-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

lmao today it's "Tony Moeaki making impact at Chiefs tight end" tomorrow it will be...

Dexter McCluster making impact at Chiefs wide receiver. then...

Derrick Johnson making impact at Chiefs linebacker. and then...

Shaun Smith making impact at Chiefs defensive end. and then...

Ryan Succop making impact at Chiefs kicker.

How the F does this guy have a job? It's KCStar college newspaper at its finest.

His Magnum Opus

"Chiefs making an impact on NFL play in KC.'

ChiefsCountry · 09-25-2010, 10:09 AM

Moeaki can just stay healthy then yeah he will make an impact. No doubting his talent, just his injury history.

Micjones · 09-25-2010, 10:29 AM

I've been more than happy with Moeaki thus far.
The kid makes tough catches and uses his body well against defenders.
He'll play a vital role on Sunday.

**Rausch** · 09-25-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

His Magnum Opus

"Chiefs making an impact on NFL play in KC.'

09-25-2010, 12:48 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $782813	Teicher: Tony Moeaki making impact at Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki making impact at Chiefs tight end By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star To improve last year’s sluggish passing game, the Chiefs went to work on their ragged group of receivers. They re-signed Chris Chambers, planned on improvement from Dwayne Bowe, signed Jerheme Urban and drafted Dexter McCluster. But when Matt Cassel needed a go-to receiver in this year’s first two games, he went to none of those players but to another more unlikely source. Rookie tight end Tony Moeaki has delivered the Chiefs’ only receiving touchdown this season, a 2-yard catch in the opener in San Diego, and had two key third-down catches that extended second-half scoring drives in last week’s win in Cleveland. Moeaki leads the Chiefs with eight receptions, three more than Bowe, their second-leading receiver. While there’s plenty of time for Bowe, Chambers and others to pass Moeaki, it seems clear that a year after trading Tony Gonzalez, tight end is again a receiving threat for the Chiefs. “Sometimes the defense just dictates who the ball goes to,” Cassel said. “Last week, Tony got a lot of great looks and was able to get open on a lot of those coverages they were giving us. “Tony has done a great job. He has come in since day one and done what the coaching staff has asked him to do. He works tremendously hard, and he had a great game last week. We just hope that continues on throughout the rest of the year.” Heading into Sunday’s game against San Francisco at Arrowhead Stadium, Moeaki’s numbers are humble on a leaguewide scale. With eight receptions, he’s not in the top 40, and the two third-down catches also put him well down the list. But the Chiefs’ passing game is floundering, and there’s no telling where this team might be without Moeaki. “I just happened to come open,” said Moeaki, a third-round draft pick. “Matt threw some really good passes. Those plays could have gone to anyone. That’s just the way the plays have been working out.” It was difficult to imagine just a few weeks ago that Moeaki might be the Chiefs’ top receiver. He didn’t play much in the preseason, and coach Todd Haley suggested it was because Moeaki struggled with the grind of training camp and not because the Chiefs were keeping him under wraps until the start of the regular season. “Tight ends in training camp are lumped in with offensive linemen,” Haley said. “Generally they’re not going to feel very good (physically). That’s just the way that it is. That mentality is critical to the success of tight ends, and Tony is developing that and he’s got a ways to go, but I would say there are some encouraging signs about him. “I would never keep somebody (out) that could be a part of this team. You’ve got to get ready, you’ve got to get ready to go, and you’ve got to utilize every bit of time you have because that’s a difficult position. You’re learning run and pass routes, steps, adjustments, all those things, which is a big job.” The start to Moeaki’s career is also notable because tight ends usually don’t make much of an impact as rookies. Gonzalez caught only 33 passes in his first season in 1997. San Francisco’s Vernon Davis, now one of the league’s top pass-receiving tight ends, caught just 20 passes as a rookie in 2006. “You have to be a guy that’s familiar with the protections,” San Francisco coach Mike Singletary said. “You have to be a little bit of a blocker. You have to be a little bit of a guy that can catch the football. There’s a lot of information that a tight end has to know. A lot of times that really slows down the process of learning it all. “(Moeaki) does a good job blocking. He shows up in the passing game in the intermediate routes. He’s overall a solid tight end.” 49ERS AT CHIEFS Noon Sunday at Arrowhead (Channel 4)
Posts: 42,126

09-25-2010, 01:00 AM	#2
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1744088	KEEP ****ING DOUBTING TONY MOEAKI!!! nevermind, not too many people are doubting him anymore. Kid is gonna be a future probowler when we get a quarterback...and of course if he can avoid the fluke injuries that hurt his ability to stay on the field at Iowa. I bet he plays a pivotal role if we beat the 49ers. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,146

09-25-2010, 01:02 AM	#3
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4606954	Hopefully Cassel gets hurt so we can start Croyle. If that happens, we are playoff bound. __________________
Posts: 15,049

09-25-2010, 01:19 AM	#4
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8835943	I could swear Adam is blowing someone at the star to get this shit published!! Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 12,706

09-25-2010, 01:40 AM	#5
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Adam Teicher at his finest
Posts: 88,960

09-25-2010, 05:43 AM	#7
Pioli Zombie Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: olathe,kansas Casino cash: $10004900	I'm concerned this will take carries away from Charles.
Posts: 11,077

09-25-2010, 06:02 AM	#8
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $8659352 VARSITY	What no mention of Charles in the article?
Posts: 27,731

09-25-2010, 08:55 AM	#9
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	The Chiefs will cut Cassel Joshie will pick him up and he will burn the Chiefs for years after Tebow flames out
Posts: 8,588

09-25-2010, 09:49 AM	#11
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7888717	lmao today it's "Tony Moeaki making impact at Chiefs tight end" tomorrow it will be... Dexter McCluster making impact at Chiefs wide receiver. then... Derrick Johnson making impact at Chiefs linebacker. and then... Shaun Smith making impact at Chiefs defensive end. and then... Ryan Succop making impact at Chiefs kicker. How the F does this guy have a job? It's KCStar college newspaper at its finest. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630

09-25-2010, 10:09 AM	#13
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2188752	Moeaki can just stay healthy then yeah he will make an impact. No doubting his talent, just his injury history.
Posts: 49,692

09-25-2010, 10:29 AM	#14
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	I've been more than happy with Moeaki thus far. The kid makes tough catches and uses his body well against defenders. He'll play a vital role on Sunday. __________________ It's like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I could been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong.
Posts: 15,344