Another Moeaki?

by Bumin80 on Sep 9, 2011 12:04 PM CDT

A few days ago, I posted about how the pretty significant loss of Moeaki might be dampened by the signing of Cincinatti Bengal Practice Squad TE Chase Coffman. I realized that Coffman is completely inadequate as a blocker, but the suggestion was to utilize Coffman in the offensive formations when Moeaki was lining up as more of a receiver. While I still think this is a good idea, primarily because it costs us nothing other than a roster spot for a few weeks, I have perhaps a better solution....

The news has now broke that Peyton Manning is out for a significant portion of the regular season and perhaps as much as the entire year. As of right now, that makes formerly retired QB Kerry Collins the Colts starter. Whether or not Collins remains the starter, or the Colts decide to bring in the likes of David Gerrard, neither QB is anywhere near the likes of the man they are trying to replace.

While I am sure that the Colts will feign the confidence that they are still a playoff caliber team with or without Manning, most people outside their organization have serious doubts. (I have even seem some bloggers suggest that the Colts ought to throw the season and draft Andrew Luck as an heir apparent to Manning after he retires....by the way, their organization has far too much pride and class to throw the season) However, I do believe that with Collins skill set and having a shorter preseason this year, the Colts will look to rely on shorter, high percentage throws to Wayne, Collie, Garcon and most importantly a healthy Dallas Clark. So what does that have to do with the Chiefs?

Last year, Manning's favorite go to target Dallas Clark was injured partially through their season. Enter Jacob Tamme. That name probably rings a bell because the kid had an incredible year. Tamme had sat on the bench the previoius two seasons, making only one start during that time with a mere 6 receptions for 47 yards. However, after Clark went down last year, Tamme had his chance to shine. Tamme started 8 games, catching 67 passes for 631 yards. Just for comparison, Moeaki caught 47 passes for 556 yards in 15 starts last year. While Moeaki was a rookie, it was essentially Tamme's rookie season as well after sitting on the bench behind a likely HOF TE in Clark. So, why mention Tamme? Because this is the final year of Tamme's contract with the Colts. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this year. With the Colts having so many question marks about whether not they will even be competitive this year and with an already healthy Clark, the front office may be more than willing to try to receive some compensation for Tamme before he walks out the door in 5 months.

The question that leaves me with then is this....If you are Pioli, do you make that phone call to the Colts and inquire about Tamme? What do you offer? As for me, I think I would give as high as a 3rd round pick for Tamme right now. If Moeaki is healthy next year and stays that way, the Chiefs have two awesome tight ends. If Moeaki continues to be plagued by injuries however, we won't be left in this position again.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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I worry about any receivers on that team.

We will see how Anthony Gonazalez, Pierre Gracon, Blair White, Jacob Tamme, and the other scrubs that Manning used to make adequate receivers look with someone else throwing the ball.

I expect we will quickly see who the most important player on any team in the NFL is.

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by saskwatch on Sep 9, 2011 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

I agree...

Manning does make average receivers look great, as does Phillip Rivers….however, Tamme’s numbers are impressive….He was more productive than Moeaki in half the games…at least some of that has to be talent doesn’t it?

by Bumin80 on Sep 9, 2011 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes. Talent of qbs.

And perhaps offensive scheme.

It is not moeaki’s fault he was targeted less.

Furthermore, with Charles, the chiefs actually have a real running game.

Moeaki’s average reception was for 11.83 yards.

Tamme’s was 9.42 yards, and that was with manning throwing to him.

Furthermore, had Tony been targeted more for 67 receptions in 8 games at the rate of his ypc, he would have had 793 yards…and adjusted for a whole season, at that rate would have had 134 receptions for 1,585 yards.

Just giving you some perspective.

"At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don't "

by chief Stevie_k on Sep 9, 2011 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Those numbers are assuming when you say starts, you're talking about games played.

"At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don't "

by chief Stevie_k on Sep 9, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

You are correct

Tamme actually played in 10 regular season games last year, starting 8….but still the numbers are impressive…I don’t know if the target argument you made holds as much water because if you say its not Moeaki’s fault Cassel didn’t target him more, I dont’ know if it is Tamme’s fault that he wasn’t the deep threat on his team (they had more than one capable wideout, unlike us)…so Tamme was just supposed to get past the chains and catch the ball. He also had 5 catches for 46 yds in their playoff game….I think the kid is a gamer….but I don’t think there is anyway we get him for a 5th or 6th round pick

by Bumin80 on Sep 9, 2011 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Here is another interesting stat....

2010 Yards after catch leaders (entire league)

47. Jacob Tamme 310 YAC
56. Braylon Edwards 290 YAC
57. Lance Moore 276 YAC
67. Jeremy Maclin 267 YAC
77. Kellen Winslow 241 YAC
109. Tony Moeaki 187 YAC

The point of my argument is less that Tamme is better than Moeaki….but that he would be by far superior to anything we have on the roster right now and would continue to make opposing defenses have to worry about defending the pass from the TE position

by Bumin80 on Sep 9, 2011 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

My favorite stat comes from Dan Fouts:

“Al, my prediction is that whoever puts the most points on the scoreboard will probably win tonight’s football game.”

*When we blitz, have the LB's do a KC Strip. Do this in remembrance of DT.
*Dear David Glass, as a lifelong Royals fan, I beg you to please sell the team. You have always been the problem; you will never be the solution.

by mistamic on Sep 9, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I wish he'd quit using MY LINES

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by upamtn on Sep 9, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

But then you are also neglecting whether the situations Moeaki got his receptions allowed him to get less/more ypc.

Many argue that Cassel throws too late, which would lead to less total yards after catch. In any case, you posted totals and not yards after catch averages.

As Moeaki was targeted much less, it would be expected his yards after catch totals would be less than players with more opportunities.

Are the totals above for Tamme for only the 8 games started or the 10 played?

In any case, most critical observers would say that our qb keys in on Bowe so more weapons don’t matter. We shall see.

I would not give up a good pick for a third-string back up, pending free agent. Kc is not in such a serious situation that would require buying high for someone’s man crush.

"At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don't "

by chief Stevie_k on Sep 9, 2011 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

might even be that they aren't really scrubs after all ...

We will see how Anthony Gonazalez, Pierre Gracon, Blair White, Jacob Tamme, and the other scrubs that Manning used to make adequate receivers look with someone else throwing the ball

by upamtn on Sep 9, 2011 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

No way we'd give a 3rd for him

But I do believe they would trade him. Especially since (as I mentioned before) he is listed as 3rd on the depth chart.

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by 3GChief on Sep 9, 2011 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

I am not sure where you mentioned it...

but he is 2nd on the depth chart, ahead of Mike McNeil…see this link

by Bumin80 on Sep 9, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll trust trust the Colts official site...

http://www.colts.com/team/depth-chart.html

And here’s where I mentioned it:
http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2011/9/4/2403986/nfl-roster-cuts-kansas-city-chiefs-roster-depth-chart#76416002

3GChief = 3rd Generation Season Ticket Holder

by 3GChief on Sep 9, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

The thing that makes the Moeaki injury hurt so much is that he was a good blocker in addition to being a good receiver.

And I think the Chiefs have shown through the players they’ve kept (i.e. O’Connell and Becht making it in over Gantt and Slate), not to mention their love of 2 and 3 TE sets in the running game, that you need to be able to block in order to play tight end on this team. Even Pope, who’s probably the least accomplished blocker at the position, is a better blocker than Coffman or Tamme. Hell, Moeaki’s probably a better blocker than both of them combined.

I don’t think Pioli and Haley are going to bring in anyone at tight end who is good at catching the ball but sub-par in the blocking department. That’s what receivers are for.

"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan

by MtHammer on Sep 9, 2011 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

We should have kept Tom crabtree. He's looking decent at both, but particularly blocking.

"At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don't "

by chief Stevie_k on Sep 9, 2011 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Interesting

by fishhooks on Sep 9, 2011 2:06 PM CDT reply actions

It is all Manning

Manning can make anyone looks good. That is how good Manning can be.
If Moeaki played with Manning last season, he would have 100 caches not 47.
Getting Tammy is a help with no doubt. But the Chiefs will do fine with what they got. Have faith in Todd.

by Edward Le on Sep 9, 2011 2:32 PM CDT reply actions

undertand too that it's a different system

the Colts pass and pass and pass some more … the Chiefs run and run and run some more

by upamtn on Sep 9, 2011 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I would be completely shocked

If at this stage, Pioli gave away draft picks to help our team for this season.

It is far more likely that we’ll trade someone away for a future draft pick, than give up a pick for someone with more short term upside than long term.

I would take a flyer on Chase Coffman though. Put him on the 53 man for a couple weeks and see what he has…we can always dump him later, or hope to put him back on the PS.

by kcsno56 on Sep 9, 2011 3:45 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed (partially)

I too would be shocked if Pioli pulled the trigger on this deal….mainly because it makes too much sense…

The reason I disagree with your post is because you stated that this move would be for someone with more short term upside than long term….the reality is that Tamme is 25 years old with many good years ahead of him….this is the last year of his rookie contract. So I do believe that he has a lot of upside.

Some people on here are arguing that Tamme’s numbers are inflated due to way more targets than Moeaki, but the reality is that Tamme was targeted 93 times and Moeaki was targeted 72 times…so Moeaki would have had to catch 20 of the next 21 targets to match that percentage. Even with Manning throwing to him, that percentage is pretty amazing…

Perhaps another way of showing this….Tamme had 67 receptions on 93 targets… Probowler Dwayne Bowe had 72 receptions on 132 targets. You can only argue QB for so long before you have to admit that there is a possibility that this kid is pretty good.

by Bumin80 on Sep 9, 2011 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions

It's the quality of targets

Or more accurately, the ‘ease’ of the targets. There is a signifcant difference in their offense and ours.

A good example is Moeaki’s catch in the back of the endzone, and pretty much every catch Clark/Tamme have ever made.

I love Clark, and I don’t think Tamme is terrible, but I would never personally give up a 3rd for him.

And the way Pioli tries to acquire draft picks, and my guess that he doesn’t think the Chiefs are really ready to compete this year, I just don’t see him trading those assets for a future backup TE, even if he’s young.

by kcsno56 on Sep 10, 2011 1:13 AM CDT up reply actions