1. Arriving via Seattle: Falcons tight end Tony Moeaki joins Dan Quinn's team after one season with the Seattle Seahawks. The 27-year-old showcased his big-play potential in front of Quinn in 2014, highlighted by a 63-yard reception on Thanksgiving Day. Moeaki also reunites with Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli, who orginially drafted the tight end out of Iowa with a third-round pick (93rd overall) in 2010, serving as the general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs (2009-12). Moeaki arrives in Atlanta with 38 games played (31 starts), 88 receptions, 1,143 yards and five touchdowns.
2. Competitive Depth: The Falcons signed Moeaki hours after announcing the addition of tight end Jacob Tamme, who spent the last three years in Denver. Quinn has preached competitive depth at each and every position on the roster, including the tight ends group, coached by Wade Harman. When the team meets for the first time this season, assuming nothing changes, it will have five tight ends in the meeting room, Levine Toilolo, Mickey Shuler, Kyle Miller, Tamme and Moeaki.
3. Correct Pronunciation: If Falcons fans have a question about the correct pronunciation of Moeaki's name, they'll be in the same company as his former Seahawks teammate, quarterback Russell Wilson.
"My quarterback coach [Carl Smith] was saying that, 'It's like teriyaki, but with a 'Moe' in front of it' ", Wilson said.
If Moeaki plays up to his potential in Atlanta, it won't be long before his last name becomes a favorite among the team's fanbase.
The Falcons' 2016 roster is constantly evolving and we've amassed all the players in one gallery that will be updated throughout the year
CB Robert Alford
S Ricardo Allen
DT Jonathan Babineaux
OLB Vic Beasley Jr.
P Matt Bosher
K Matt Bryant
LB De'Vondre Campbell
RG Chris Chester
DE Adrian Clayborn
RB Tevin Coleman
CB Jalen Collins - Reserve Suspended List (4 Games)
T Tom Compton
FB Patrick DiMarco
RB Devonta Freeman
DE Dwight Freeney
WR Devin Fuller - IR
G Ben Garland
FS Dashon Goldson
CB C.J. Goodwin
DT Ra'Shede Hageman
WR Justin Hardy
LS Josh Harris
TE Austin Hooper
S Kemal Ishmael
DE Tyson Jackson
DT Grady Jarrett
LB Deion Jones
WR Julio Jones
CB Akeem King - IR
G Andy Levitre
C Alex Mack
T Jake Matthews
S Keanu Neal
TE Josh Perkins
G Mike Person
FS Brian Poole
LB Brooks Reed
LB LaRoy Reynolds
WR Aldrick Robinson
QB Matt Ryan
WR Mohamed Sanu
QB Matt Schaub
T Ryan Schraeder
G Wes Schweitzer
DE Derrick Shelby
TE Jacob Tamme
S Robenson Therezie
TE Levine Toilolo
CB Desmond Trufant
LB Courtney Upshaw
CB DeMarcus Van Dyke - IR
RB Terron Ward
LB Sean Weatherspoon
WR Eric Weems
LB Philip Wheeler
WR Nick Williams
LB Paul Worrilow
4. Pregame Playlist: During his stay with the Seahawks, Moeaki shared one of his go-to music choices as he prepares for each game.
"I haven't followed them (MGMT) lately," Moeaki said. "But it feels like I've been listening to that song since my high school days."
5. "The Leaping Tongan": Quinn wants versatile and athletic guys on his roster, and Moeaki fits the requirements. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound tight end starred at the University of Iowa, drawing the nickname "The Leaping Tongan'' from the Hawkeyes fanbase, highlighting his athleticism and family heritage as both of Moeaki's parents were born and raised in Tonga.
Footnote: Add Moeaki (Iowa) to the list of Falcons players whose alma mater is in the running for the 2015 NCAA men's basketball championship.
