By Adam Teicher, McClatchy Newspapers –
Tight end Tony Moeaki said his rehabilitation from torn knee ligaments and the resulting surgery is going well, and he expected to be at full strength when the Chiefs begin training camp in July.
Moeaki said he has been running and lifting weights in the team’s conditioning program but was unsure how much he would participate when the Chiefs begin offseason practice next month.
“Rehab is good,” he said. “As far as team activities, I’m just doing what the trainers and the coaching staff tells me to do. I don’t really know until we get there.”
Moeaki, a third-round pick in 2010, had a strong rookie season for the Chiefs, catching 47 passes and scoring three touchdowns. But he injured his knee during the final preseason game against Green Bay last year and didn’t play during the regular season.
“It was pretty frustrating,” Moeaki said . “You can’t do what you like to do. You just have to watch. .”
The Chiefs suffered at tight end without Moeaki. Their three tight ends combined to catch just 34 passes. They signed veteran Kevin Boss this year to give them more depth at the position.Crennel talks bounties
Coach Romeo Crennel indicated he’s talked to the Chiefs about the bounty program run the last few seasons by the New Orleans Saints. Saints players and coaches pooled their money, and it was given to those who delivered big hits and knockout blows to opposing players.
“One of the things I’ve done in the past when there’s something that’s newsworthy, I will read the article to the team,” Crennel said. “DUIs, for instance. A lot of times, DUIs happen with a team during the offseason. Well, I’ll get (the players back after the offseason break) and I’ll tell them that so-and-so of so-and-so team got stopped for DUI, and I’ll tell them that’s not necessary because we’ve got programs in the NFL where a car will come to pick you up .
“In this situation, all I have to do is read the headline and say, ‘Guys, this is not good for us, this is not good for the NFL and we don’t want to be a part of anything like this.’ Then, the head coach has made it known this is not what we’re about.
“This is a tough, physical game we play. To have bounties, to hurt guys, I’ve never been a part of that, don’t condone that. I don’t think it’s part of football.
“Guys are going to be physical because we tell them they have to be physical. But I think if you’re physical within the rules and do things that way, that’s the best for the game. The places I’ve been, we’ve never had them.”
