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Peter King Says Tony Moeaki Is Kansas City Chiefs Version Of Colts' Dallas Clark

If Moeaki can rise to the occasion in the end zone like Clark has been able to do, the Chiefs offense will truly become an elite force.

It's clear that there's a lot for Kansas City Chiefs fans to be excited about when it comes to the team's offensive unit. Last year's rushing attack was already dynamic enough with the one-two punch of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Dwayne Bowe led the NFL last season in touchdown receptions, so there's already one top flight receiver to brag about as well. But that doesn't even include the offseason additions of a two-time Pro Bowl fullback in Le'Ron McClain, a first round choice of wideout Jon Baldwin or the addition of slot receiver Steve Breaston. It's a well-rounded offense with little, if any, weaknesses.

But it's tight end Tony Moeaki that actually has Peter King most impressed after his visit to the Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph earlier this week. In a recent mailbag column, the Sports Illustrated writer posted his take on who wowed him in camp, and the answer was rather surprising. He writes, "The player I was most impressed with: Tight end Tony Moeaki. I'll be writing more about him in the coming days, but what interested me is the Chiefs' aggressive use of him in passing formations -- as a slot receiver, a blocker tight to the formation, and set out wide. He's their Dallas Clark."

Moeaki's rookie season totals of 47 catches for 556 yards and 3 touchdowns already dwarfs Clark's rookie season. In fact it tops anything that Clark did in his first four seasons with the Colts. Clark truly came alive at age 28 for the Colts as older receivers like Marvin Harrison were lost and Manning found a new favorite target. For Moeaki, he's well ahead of the curve given Clark's rookie totals like 29 catches for 340 yards, and Cassel clearly enjoyed an instant chemistry with the surprise of a tight end.

If Haley likes what he sees, there's no denying that Moeaki will get his touches, even if it comes at the expense of some other players getting their own -- including Dexter McCluster or Baldwin in 2011. After an injury early in camp that had fans worried, it's nice to see that Moeaki is back to impressive those who see him up close, and that bodes well for the Chiefs offense in 2011.