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FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons sought to upgrade the tight end position this offseason by signing Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki in free agency.
Tamme received a two-year, $4 million contract with $400,000 guaranteed, while Moeaki, who’s been often injured, received a modest one-year, $744,000 deal. The two are expected to compete for the role of top pass-catching tight end when training camp opens on July 31.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
“They (both) have these unique qualities down in the red zone, and can be featured on third down,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “I think (they) have a little uniqueness . . .I would say Jacob and Tony more, in the third down and the route-running and finding ways to match them on a linebacker to see if they can run the options and do the stuff on third downs required to get open.”
Despite an injury history at Iowa the included elbow, hand, leg and concussion issues, Moeaki was drafted by Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli -- when he was the general manager in Kansas City -- in the third round of the 2010 draft.
He had a monster rookie season with 47 catches and appeared headed for stardom. The Chiefs were hoping they had a replacement for the great Tony Gonzalez, who was traded to the Falcons in 2009 for a second-round draft pick.
But after his rookie season, Moeaki had a knee surgery and then later suffered a season-ending torn ACL during the 2011 exhibition season.
He bounced back in 2012 with a 33-catch season. But after suffering a fractured shoulder, Moeaki was no longer in the plans for 2013 when a new regime took over.
In 2013, after signing a two-year deal with Buffalo he suffered a major hamstring injury in training camp. He was placed on reserve/injured list on August 29th and was released from after reaching an injury settlement on Sept. 1.
Last season, he played with Seattle for six games as he battled calf and shoulder injuries. He flashed his
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
play-making ability on a 63-yard catch-and-run against the 49ers on Nov. 27.
Moeaki, 6-foot-3, and 252 pounds, has admitted that the mental part of recovering from injuries is more difficult than the physical part. Doubting whether his body will hold up and just how much of his 36 ½ vertical leap is left has to pass through his mind.
But with the Falcons, he’s blocking out his long list of injuries.
“I don’t worry about that stuff,” Moeaki said. “I just come out and try to get better and make as many plays as possible.”
When pressed about the injuries, it was clear the subject was not really popular with him.
“It hasn’t been frustrating at all,” Moeaki said. “I just keep it going. Keep working hard. I’m just glad to be out here with this team.”
Over the two healthy seasons 2010 and 2012, he caught 80 passes for 1,009 yards and four touchdowns. Gonzalez, who remained productive for the Falcons through the 2013 season, retired. Last season, tight end Levine Toilolo took over and was targeted 54 times and caught 31 passes (59 percent catch rate) for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
“We’ve been working hard to build a foundation to go into training camp with,” Moeaki said. “We are all working hard. We just have to keep getting better each day and keep competing.”
Tight end coach Wade Harman, who was the assistant offensive line coach last season, likes what he sees from Moeaki and the tight end group, which also includes Mickey Shuler and Beau Gardner.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
“I think they are learning things,” Harman said. “They are picking it up. . . . Some of the stuff needs to be repeated a few times, but they are getting a good idea of what we want to accomplish. They are understanding things well.”
Moeaki, who was recruited by Seattle coach Pete Carroll to play at USC, elected Iowa so that his parents, who lived in Chicago, could see him play.
He also considered BYU, where two of his older brothers played football and where his younger sister (Keilani) played basketball. He’s the second-youngest of five children.
Knowing Quinn from his Seattle stop helped during free agency.
“He’s a great coach,” Moeaki said. “He’s doing a great job so far. I’m just really excited to get the season started. I think (the players) have a pretty good grasp of DQ so for. He’s high energy. Loves competition and that’s what he brings to the Atlanta Falcons.”
Moeaki enjoyed working with Ryan over the offseason.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
“Matt is a great quarterback,” Moeaki said. “He’s just really dialed in all of the time. He communicates plays well and tells you what he expects. He’s a good team leader. When our number is called, (we) try to be there for Matt. That’s really our motto.”
Moeaki believes he can handle the run blocking duties in the Falcons’ new zone-blocking scheme.
“I’m comfortable doing it,” Moeaki said. “I love zone blocking. I’ve done it in a couple of different systems. So, I’m very comfortable with it.”
Harman believes the group had a strong offseason.
“We (tried) to get everything in,” Harman said. “Get them exposed to techniques and fundamentals. Hopefully, we’ll find out the real deal when we get the pads on.”
In order to revive his once promising career, Moeaki know he needs to stay healthy.
“There’s been a lot of behind the scenes work,” Moeaki said. “Things are coming together, but everyone needs to get better. I know that training camp is when we are going to have to fine tune everything. We’ll be ready to go.”
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