Chiefs Teicher:Throwing to the tight end is back in Chiefs’ offense under Andy Reid - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-24-2013, 10:45 PM

Throwing to the tight end is back in Chiefs’ offense under Andy Reid
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs first signaled their intent to improve at tight end in recent months when they acquired Anthony Fasano and Travis Kelce to go along with the injured incumbent starter, Tony Moeaki.

Since then, the Chiefs have revealed plenty of two-tight end formations during their offseason program and spent plenty of time at least trying to throw the ball to both Fasano and Kelce. The signs are everywhere that the tight end as a pass receiver is back in the Chiefs offense under new coach Andy Reid.

“I think the offense is very friendly for a tight end,’’ said Fasano, signed from Miami as a free agent. “You can tell they’re becoming a very valuable position in this offense. We ultimately determine (how many passes they catch) by how we play, if we make plays, exploit mismatches. The tight ends have a good opportunity in this offense.’’

The Chiefs will need big receiving numbers from the tight ends this year because, other than Dwayne Bowe, they have little in proven ability at wide receiver. This marks a change for the Chiefs, who since trading Tony Gonzalez before the 2009 season got 46, 61, 35 and 44 catches from their tight ends in the four years since.

Gonzalez would often have that many receptions by midseason and nobody is suggesting the Chiefs tight ends, individually or even collectively, will put up better numbers than Gonzalez would.

But the Chiefs are confident they can do better than they’ve done since he was traded.

“We’re an attacking style of offense, fast-paced,’’ Fasano said. “I think we have a lot of weapons. I think the opportunity is there. Whether it plays out or not, I just hope to be an asset to the offense.’’

Fasano, who had the only two-touchdown game of his NFL career against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium two years ago, hasn’t been a prolific pass receiver in his seven seasons with the Cowboys and Dolphins. His best season happened last year, when he caught 41 passes and scored five touchdowns.

If offseason practice is an indication, Fasano may be featured more as a receiver this season.

“Hopefully, that will be a little more consistent here,’’ he said.

Fasano signed with the Chiefs knowing that the tight end often had big numbers when the Eagles offenses were guided by Reid.

“I grew up in New Jersey and was actually a Giants fan, so I watched him beat the Giants a lot with the Eagles and I saw a lot of tight ends have success,’’ Fasano said. “As soon as they came into play in free agency, I dove into them a little bit deeper and I think they are very friendly.

“I’ve been asked to block a bunch in my career and also been called upon to be a reliable receiver. All that stuff makes up a good tight end and from what I suspect that tight end is going to be needed in this offense.’’

The Chiefs then selected Kelce in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft. He emerged as a receiving threat in his last college season with Cincinnati, where he caught 45 passes with eight touchdowns.

The Chiefs have lined up Kelce, who is fast for a tight end, in a variety of different spots in search of a favorable matchup. He at one point in practice last week caught passes on three straight plays, including one deep down the middle.

“He gives you another offensive threat, somebody that the defense will have to honor by speed and athletic ability,’’ Reid said. “They moved him (in college) all around so he doesn’t have to play in line. You can move him out as a wide receiver in that position and he’s a legitimate receiver from that spot.”

Reid compared Kelce to former Giants, Saints and Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey in terms of style of play and potential impact. Shockey caught 74 passes as a rookie for New York in 2002 and at least 40 in nine of his 10 NFL seasons, so it may be a lot for the Chiefs to expect numbers like that from Kelce.

But Kelce wasn’t shying away from the comparison.

“I would like to think I’m a different breed of player, someone that can get after a guy in the run game, but at the same time catch a ball and go 80 to the house,’’ Kelce said. “I think the Chiefs are going to get someone who is very versatile and if I had to possibly choose one guy (to compare himself to), I would choose Jeremy Shockey just the way he plays with passion and energy. I think that would be an awesome comparison.”

Moeaki has been little more than a spectator at offseason practice after having arthroscopic knee surgery at the end of last season. Reid said it was unlikely that Moeaki would be able to practice in the final two weeks of the offseason program and he even hedged a little when asked if Moeaki would be ready by the start of training camp in two months.

“We’ll see,’’ Reid said. “Right now I’m thinking he will be but we’ll see how that goes. He’s working like crazy.’’

Exoter175 · 05-25-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I love how Reid/Dorsey approached this season and said to themselves "welp, we have nothing at TE."

Fast forward five months: Anthony Fasano, Travis Kelce, Braden Wilson.

If Moeaki has more than 15 receptions this year, I'll be shocked.

Prepare to be shocked, then. Unless he gets injured, he'll have 15 receptions by game 6 or 7 easily.

Moeaki is the starter, Fasano is TE #2, kelce is #3.

Also, Reid/Dorsey didn't come in here thinking "We've got not talent at TE", they came in here thinking "We've got nothing for depth at TE and a starter who frequently misses games, we need depth now". The exact same thing they did for the defensive back group at Corner and Free Safety.

I swear, the Chiefs make one roster move and you clowns seem to think that the world is over for player X or player Y.

Sign Fasano and Kelce, Moeaki's career is over.
Sign Dunta Robinson, Kendrick Lewis' career is over.
Sign Tyler Bray, Stanzi's career is over.
Sign Donnie Avery, McCluster's career is over.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 05-25-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Prepare to be shocked, then. Unless he gets injured, he'll have 15 receptions by game 6 or 7 easily.

Moeaki is the starter, Fasano is TE #2, kelce is #3.

Also, Reid/Dorsey didn't come in here thinking "We've got not talent at TE", they came in here thinking "We've got nothing for depth at TE and a starter who frequently misses games, we need depth now". The exact same thing they did for the defensive back group at Corner and Free Safety.

I swear, the Chiefs make one roster move and you clowns seem to think that the world is over for player X or player Y.

Sign Fasano and Kelce, Moeaki's career is over.
Sign Dunta Robinson, Kendrick Lewis' career is over.
Sign Tyler Bray, Stanzi's career is over.
Sign Donnie Avery, McCluster's career is over.

Brokedickie is over. Writing is on the wall.

**the Talking Can** · 05-25-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Prepare to be shocked, then. Unless he gets injured, he'll have 15 receptions by game 6 or 7 easily.

Moeaki is the starter, Fasano is TE #2, kelce is #3.

Also, Reid/Dorsey didn't come in here thinking "We've got not talent at TE", they came in here thinking "We've got nothing for depth at TE and a starter who frequently misses games, we need depth now". The exact same thing they did for the defensive back group at Corner and Free Safety.

I swear, the Chiefs make one roster move and you clowns seem to think that the world is over for player X or player Y.

Sign Fasano and Kelce, Moeaki's career is over.
Sign Dunta Robinson, Kendrick Lewis' career is over.
Sign Tyler Bray, Stanzi's career is over.
Sign Donnie Avery, McCluster's career is over.

como?

chiefzilla1501 · 05-25-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Prepare to be shocked, then. Unless he gets injured, he'll have 15 receptions by game 6 or 7 easily.

Moeaki is the starter, Fasano is TE #2, kelce is #3.

Also, Reid/Dorsey didn't come in here thinking "We've got not talent at TE", they came in here thinking "We've got nothing for depth at TE and a starter who frequently misses games, we need depth now". The exact same thing they did for the defensive back group at Corner and Free Safety.

I swear, the Chiefs make one roster move and you clowns seem to think that the world is over for player X or player Y.

Sign Fasano and Kelce, Moeaki's career is over.
Sign Dunta Robinson, Kendrick Lewis' career is over.
Sign Tyler Bray, Stanzi's career is over.
Sign Donnie Avery, McCluster's career is over.

Holy hell.

There is no way Moeaki wins a job over Fasano and Kelce projects to be better than Moeaki. Kendrick Lewis is not a good starter (an okay depth guy at best). The Chiefs signed 2 QBs and picked up a 3rd in the rookie waiver pool. Avery isn't even competing for McCluster's job.

This post is full of fail.

RunKC · 05-25-2013, 02:44 PM

I don't see how Moeaki will start. Our coach favors Kelce and Fasano.

Plus Kelce brings the speed that is so lethal at the position.

**Mav** · 05-25-2013, 02:58 PM

disclaimer.

If everything is graded out equal, and everyone is healthy, your most talented tight end is Travis Kelce, and it is not even close. He should be the starter by the end of the year with Fasano as more of the blocking tight end.

That's just based on skill.

scho63 · 05-25-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I guarantee you Moeaki is a Steeler next year.

I second that-he is a weak tin can. More surgery and won't practice for a while

milkman · 05-25-2013, 04:57 PM

Tony Moeaki is a talented TE, and probably the most complete one on this roster.
His problem is that he can not stay on the field.

If he's healthy, Anthony Fasano is #3 on the depth chart.

Saccopoo · 05-25-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Tony Moeaki is a talented TE, and probably the most complete one on this roster.
His problem is that he can not stay on the field.

If he's healthy, Anthony Fasano is #3 on the depth chart.

I'll take a wait and see with Kelce. While everyone seems to be excited about his athleticism, you are talking about a guy that, up until his senior season, only caught 14 passes total in college while playing in Conference USA.

He's a big question mark in my book. I don't think he's going to beat out either Moeaki or Fasano this next season. (Depending on Moeaki's availability due to the off-season knee scope that has him being held out of the OTA's.)

Pasta Little Brioni · 05-25-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

We had to listen to you dumb****s pimp turds like Tamme and Dreesen for an entire offseason.

**noa** · 05-25-2013, 05:27 PM

Reid's starting tight ends seem to end up around 600-700 yards and 4 or 5 TDs. Brent Celek had a big 2009, but other than that, the starting TE usually finished around 10th or 15th in the league in receptions and yards.

**notorious** · 05-25-2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

como?

Cannibal · 05-25-2013, 06:03 PM

Exorter has Iowa "True Fan" written all over him.

Cannibal · 05-25-2013, 06:04 PM

These shitty Iowa players bundle of sticksoli drafted are out.

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 05-25-2013, 07:51 PM

The KC burnt ends amiright.

05-24-2013, 10:45 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-557187	Teicher:Throwing to the tight end is back in Chiefs’ offense under Andy Reid Throwing to the tight end is back in Chiefs’ offense under Andy Reid By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs first signaled their intent to improve at tight end in recent months when they acquired Anthony Fasano and Travis Kelce to go along with the injured incumbent starter, Tony Moeaki. Since then, the Chiefs have revealed plenty of two-tight end formations during their offseason program and spent plenty of time at least trying to throw the ball to both Fasano and Kelce. The signs are everywhere that the tight end as a pass receiver is back in the Chiefs offense under new coach Andy Reid. “I think the offense is very friendly for a tight end,’’ said Fasano, signed from Miami as a free agent. “You can tell they’re becoming a very valuable position in this offense. We ultimately determine (how many passes they catch) by how we play, if we make plays, exploit mismatches. The tight ends have a good opportunity in this offense.’’ The Chiefs will need big receiving numbers from the tight ends this year because, other than Dwayne Bowe, they have little in proven ability at wide receiver. This marks a change for the Chiefs, who since trading Tony Gonzalez before the 2009 season got 46, 61, 35 and 44 catches from their tight ends in the four years since. Gonzalez would often have that many receptions by midseason and nobody is suggesting the Chiefs tight ends, individually or even collectively, will put up better numbers than Gonzalez would. But the Chiefs are confident they can do better than they’ve done since he was traded. “We’re an attacking style of offense, fast-paced,’’ Fasano said. “I think we have a lot of weapons. I think the opportunity is there. Whether it plays out or not, I just hope to be an asset to the offense.’’ Fasano, who had the only two-touchdown game of his NFL career against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium two years ago, hasn’t been a prolific pass receiver in his seven seasons with the Cowboys and Dolphins. His best season happened last year, when he caught 41 passes and scored five touchdowns. If offseason practice is an indication, Fasano may be featured more as a receiver this season. “Hopefully, that will be a little more consistent here,’’ he said. Fasano signed with the Chiefs knowing that the tight end often had big numbers when the Eagles offenses were guided by Reid. “I grew up in New Jersey and was actually a Giants fan, so I watched him beat the Giants a lot with the Eagles and I saw a lot of tight ends have success,’’ Fasano said. “As soon as they came into play in free agency, I dove into them a little bit deeper and I think they are very friendly. “I’ve been asked to block a bunch in my career and also been called upon to be a reliable receiver. All that stuff makes up a good tight end and from what I suspect that tight end is going to be needed in this offense.’’ The Chiefs then selected Kelce in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft. He emerged as a receiving threat in his last college season with Cincinnati, where he caught 45 passes with eight touchdowns. The Chiefs have lined up Kelce, who is fast for a tight end, in a variety of different spots in search of a favorable matchup. He at one point in practice last week caught passes on three straight plays, including one deep down the middle. “He gives you another offensive threat, somebody that the defense will have to honor by speed and athletic ability,’’ Reid said. “They moved him (in college) all around so he doesn’t have to play in line. You can move him out as a wide receiver in that position and he’s a legitimate receiver from that spot.” Reid compared Kelce to former Giants, Saints and Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey in terms of style of play and potential impact. Shockey caught 74 passes as a rookie for New York in 2002 and at least 40 in nine of his 10 NFL seasons, so it may be a lot for the Chiefs to expect numbers like that from Kelce. But Kelce wasn’t shying away from the comparison. “I would like to think I’m a different breed of player, someone that can get after a guy in the run game, but at the same time catch a ball and go 80 to the house,’’ Kelce said. “I think the Chiefs are going to get someone who is very versatile and if I had to possibly choose one guy (to compare himself to), I would choose Jeremy Shockey just the way he plays with passion and energy. I think that would be an awesome comparison.” Moeaki has been little more than a spectator at offseason practice after having arthroscopic knee surgery at the end of last season. Reid said it was unlikely that Moeaki would be able to practice in the final two weeks of the offseason program and he even hedged a little when asked if Moeaki would be ready by the start of training camp in two months. “We’ll see,’’ Reid said. “Right now I’m thinking he will be but we’ll see how that goes. He’s working like crazy.’’
Posts: 42,506

05-25-2013, 02:44 PM	#50
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $799611	I don't see how Moeaki will start. Our coach favors Kelce and Fasano. Plus Kelce brings the speed that is so lethal at the position. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Jared Wiley
Posts: 47,613

05-25-2013, 02:58 PM	#51
Mav XBOX GT MAVS ACE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Casino cash: $10019303	disclaimer. If everything is graded out equal, and everyone is healthy, your most talented tight end is Travis Kelce, and it is not even close. He should be the starter by the end of the year with Fasano as more of the blocking tight end. That's just based on skill. __________________ Resident Browns fan I’m not here to argue about Alex Smith. Fastest Ignore user on CP
Posts: 18,683

05-25-2013, 04:57 PM	#53
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	Tony Moeaki is a talented TE, and probably the most complete one on this roster. His problem is that he can not stay on the field. If he's healthy, Anthony Fasano is #3 on the depth chart. __________________
Posts: 70,769

05-25-2013, 05:27 PM	#56
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $125453	Reid's starting tight ends seem to end up around 600-700 yards and 4 or 5 TDs. Brent Celek had a big 2009, but other than that, the starting TE usually finished around 10th or 15th in the league in receptions and yards. __________________ Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.
Posts: 8,302

05-25-2013, 06:03 PM	#58
Cannibal Better to burn out... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bible Thumping Country Casino cash: $10010618	Exorter has Iowa "True Fan" written all over him.
Posts: 9,306

05-25-2013, 06:04 PM	#59
Cannibal Better to burn out... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bible Thumping Country Casino cash: $10010618	These shitty Iowa players bundle of sticksoli drafted are out.
Posts: 9,306

05-25-2013, 07:51 PM	#60
OrtonsPiercedTaint MVP Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10004980	The KC burnt ends amiright.
Posts: 5,994