Tamme: 'I Feel Poised To Have An Even Better Year'

[FentayeJones]

Quote

Tamme: 'I Feel Poised To Have An Even Better Year'

Posted 6 hours ago

Andrew Hirsh

atlantafalcons.com

Jacob Tamme proved to be a worthwhile addition in 2015, the eight-year veteran spoke with AtlantaFalcons.com about Matt Ryan's passing camp, Kyle Shanahan's offense and more.

Andrew Hirsh: The 2015 season was one of your best in the NFL. How would you assess your first year in Atlanta?

Jacob Tamme: I had a lot of fun. I enjoyed being a part of our offense, enjoyed the guys we have. I think we started off the season doing really, really good things. Obviously we hit a stretch there during the middle of the season that was a little bit frustrating. We all felt like we needed to be doing better. And, for me personally, the season ended with a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth. When I look back on it now, I see a lot of promise, so I’m excited about my role again. I feel like I could have had an even better year last year and I feel poised to have an even better year this year. So for me, that part of it is really exciting.

AH: What do you think changed for the offense when things got rough?

JT: I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what we need to do or what other people need to do, because I’m worried about what I need to do. Because that’s the one thing I can really control. From a leadership standpoint, though, one thing we have to stay on top of this year is turnovers. I think that it’s just a focus of making sure the football is the most important thing in your life when you have it in your hands. If we could have cut our red zone turnovers in half last year, who knows what we could have done. So more than anything, it’s a mindset that the ball is ours, we’re going to protect it and we’re going to get it in the end zone and score. We’re not going to have drives where we do all these good things and don’t finish them. The mindset that nobody can stop us—we lost that for a few weeks there. We didn’t play up to our potential. We have to get that mindset back.

AH: A lot of guys say it takes more than 12 months to get fully comfortable with an NFL system. Now that you and the other offensive players have spent a lot of time learning Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, how much do you think that familiarity will help moving forward?

JT: Well I think it’s going to help a lot. For me, it was the first time learning this style of offense, and it takes some time. It takes everyone some time. And not even from a learning perspective as far as (the playbook). Everyone studies, everyone prepares. We prepared well … There’s a lot of intricacies of our offense that takes reps on the field. You have to put yourself in situations where, “If this happens, you have to do this, this or that.” Those are easiest and best learned on the field in real time—even in walkthroughs. All the repetitions we had last year helped, and I’m excited about this year because we’ll go into the start of this offseason with a background and an understanding. Whereas last year, everything was obviously brand new.

AH: You recently attended the players-only passing camp Matt Ryan put together in Florida. How did that go?

JT: I feel like it went great. I feel like it went really outstanding. We not only got to work on the field—there was the camaraderie aspect, too. Guys get away from each other this time of year, and that’s healthy, but to have that many guys want to get together and hang out this time of year was really cool. I think it’s a good sign. First of all, it shows the tremendous amount of respect the guys have for Matt. And Matt did an excellent job putting it together. We got excellent work in.

AH: What did the team focus on down there?

JT: Just getting back to the basics. Route trees and timing and all those little things where the reps help throughout the game. We had defensive guys there that did their own drill work. … Just to get on the field together was a lot of fun.

AH: Ryan’s camp was your first chance to work alongside Mohamed Sanu. What was your initial impression of him?

JT: He looked great. More than anything I enjoyed hanging out with him. He fit right in with everybody right off the back. On the offensive side of the ball, we’re going to have a lot of fun playing ball together this year. And the guy has a knack for making one-handed catches, I guess. That was evident.

AH: Some people in the media think the Falcons are going to draft a tight end later this month. If the team adds a rookie tight end to the mix, how would you approach that scenario as a veteran?

JT: Well I don’t spend much time worrying about that stuff to be honest with you. I never have. My job is to get myself ready to play ball. I feel very ready to do that. Like I told you, I think I can have the best year of my career this year. My body feels great; I feel really blessed. And I’m excited about getting a second year in this offense. So, you know, I don’t worry about the stuff I can’t control. I think we’ll have a great group of tight ends however it ends up, and we’ll be ready to do our part.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Tamme-I-Feel-Poised-to-Have-an-Even-Better-Year/9dc3b6ba-a462-434a-b1bf-1c9eb3c29dc3

 

[likeriver]

Is there a single part of the Falcons offense that doesn't look good this year? Our QB is great, our OL is fire, WR is looking hot, RB is talented, and FB is literally the best in the league. Ironically, the weakest link might be Tamme himself, and I think he's average at worst. Our offense was really good last year as well, but lack of experience in the new scheme combined with botched snaps and mind-boggling turnovers ruined it. Before the Saints game I believe we were the highest scoring offense in the league if I recall. Just imagine what we can do with the addition of Sanu and Mack.

Edited April 9, 2016 by likeriver

[trubirdfan4life]

Tamme was 11th in the league in receptions as a TE

[HASHBROWN3]

Tamme is a nice stop gap.  I like his effort and dedication.  He's Def not meant to be our future.

The question is whether or not we choose to upgrade this year or not.

[takeitdown]

3 hours ago, likeriver said:

Is there a single part of the Falcons offense that doesn't look good this year? Our QB is great, our OL is fire, WR is looking hot, RB is talented, and FB is literally the best in the league. Ironically, the weakest link might be Tamme himself, and I think he's average at worst. Our offense was really good last year as well, but lack of experience in the new scheme combined with botched snaps and mind-boggling turnovers ruined it. Before the Saints game I believe we were the highest scoring offense in the league if I recall. Just imagine what we can do with the addition of Sanu and Mack.

OG is the danger spot.  It can collapse the whole thing.

Otherwise, should be a solid offense that could be helped by a WR or TE, but they're not critical.

[Tribal Chief]

14 minutes ago, HASHBROWN3 said:

Tamme is a nice stop gap.  I like his effort and dedication.  He's Def not meant to be our future.

The question is whether or not we choose to upgrade this year or not.

Considering his age, no he's not the future. I don't know why peeps are trying to replace. I haven't even seen a legit reason why he should be replaced. If anything you draft someone and let them ease into the system and replace him either next year or 2 years down the road, whichever they choose. 

[Atlfanstckndenver]

47 minutes ago, ya_boi_j said:

Considering his age, no he's not the future. I don't know why peeps are trying to replace. I haven't even seen a legit reason why he should be replaced. If anything you draft someone and let them ease into the system and replace him either next year or 2 years down the road, whichever they choose. 

I don't want to replace him myself.  I want to complement him. Although lolo might serve in that role just fine this year. 

[FalconFanSince1970]

4 hours ago, likeriver said:

Is there a single part of the Falcons offense that doesn't look good this year? Our QB is great, our OL is fire, WR is looking hot, RB is talented, and FB is literally the best in the league. Ironically, the weakest link might be Tamme himself, and I think he's average at worst. Our offense was really good last year as well, but lack of experience in the new scheme combined with botched snaps and mind-boggling turnovers ruined it. Before the Saints game I believe we were the highest scoring offense in the league if I recall. Just imagine what we can do with the addition of Sanu and Mack.

Our OL is fire? Since when? A dumpster fire maybe.

[falconstwopercentsized]

it's official world ending

[HASHBROWN3]

At this stage I consider TE a bit of a luxury pick.  Considering our other needs.  For now I'd take Dline and Oline before a new TE.  Wish we had more picks.  LB and S or Hybrid LB/S are huge needs before TE.  

[jfalconsp]

I'm with you. We need a guard - otherwise all eyes are on the defense in the draft this year. Considering what Quinn did with the talent on defense last year, I'm excited to see what he can do.

[gazoo]

3 hours ago, trubirdfan4life said:

Tamme was 11th in the league in receptions as a TE

Had the longest reception of his career with Matt Ryan, despite playing with Peyton Manning for years.

[LookAboutFalcon]

1 hour ago, gazoo said:

Had the longest reception of his career with Matt Ryan, despite playing with Peyton Manning for years.

Most of that reception was YAC.

[gazoo]

14 hours ago, LookAboutFalcon said:

Most of that reception was YAC.

So you are saying Ryan led him better on a well thrown pass allowing YAC in one season than Manning did in several? 

Wow, you really are giving Ryan quite a compliment there. I agree with you that a QB leading their TEs with a precision pass after reading the defense and reconizing a seam is something the greats do. 

[quickzero]

Yea. Not replacing tamme. Just someone to compliment him and julio.

[PokerSteve]

15 hours ago, HASHBROWN3 said:

Tamme is a nice stop gap.  I like his effort and dedication.  He's Def not meant to be our future.

The question is whether or not we choose to upgrade this year or not.

Agree. He's allowing us to concentrate on filling more urgent needs with his solid play. I like him and agree with him he'll have his best year as a pro this season.

[PokerSteve]

Just now, WhenFalconsWin said:

He is more than adequate.  I think people just miss Gonzo and see play from the likes of Gronk and Jimmy Graham and they just want more at the position.  

Exactly. Just about impossible for any TE to come in and try to fill those shoes. Tamme has done a good job for us. Certainly better than I expected.

[CraigSmackDaddy]

Tamme had a pretty good season and I can see him doing even better this upcoming season.  While I like Hunter Henry I think Tamme's play will have us waiting on TE for next year or drafting one late this year.  

[quickzero]

Tamme is great, but you guys cant deny a bigger, stronger, faster te would be a great addition to our team. A big redzone target to compliment Julio is what we need to add to our weaponry. Sanu and Tamme are pretty big but we've seen what Matt can do with a receiver of Gonzos caliber. Tony was ALWAYS open. Cant say the same for Tamme.

[xiv_T_E_C_O_]

Tamme acquisition has been great. I think we can go this year without addressing the TE position and be just fine, it would be nice but we have more pressing needs.

[citsalp]

31 minutes ago, quickzero said:

Tamme is great, but you guys cant deny a bigger, stronger, faster te would be a great addition to our team. A big redzone target to compliment Julio is what we need to add to our weaponry. Sanu and Tamme are pretty big but we've seen what Matt can do with a receiver of Gonzos caliber. Tony was ALWAYS open. Cant say the same for Tamme.

Gonzo was the best TE to ever play the game, your not going to replace the best TE to ever play in the NFL with anyone in this years draft, or next years draft, or next years draft.  Tammie is adequate for now considering the obvious positions that need attention.  TE simply isn't one of them.

[quickzero]

8 minutes ago, citsalp said:

Gonzo was the best TE to ever play the game, your not going to replace the best TE to ever play in the NFL with anyone in this years draft, or next years draft, or next years draft.  Tammie is adequate for now considering the obvious positions that need attention.  TE simply isn't one of them.

You cant deny we can upgrade over tamme in this years draft. Not sayinh we should look to the draft considering the needs on defense an o line. Another receiving threat in the redzone would be beneficial to everyone.

[citsalp]

20 minutes ago, quickzero said:

You cant deny we can upgrade over tamme in this years draft. Not sayinh we should look to the draft considering the needs on defense an o line. Another receiving threat in the redzone would be beneficial to everyone.

I understand what your saying, but it's like washing and waxing your car when you have a dead battery, and a flat tire.

[quickzero]

23 minutes ago, citsalp said:

I understand what your saying, but it's like washing and waxing your car when you have a dead battery, and a flat tire.

Lol. Good analogy. Im just the tyoe of guy that likes to see alot of quality pass catchers. People talk mess about Matt but look at the defenses he had when had gonzob turner and white. Now look at the lack of depth we had across the roster the last three seasons. Matts a beast but he still needs just a little bit more help. Other teams reload their offenses for the quarterbacks every year. I dont see why we cant do the same for Matt. 

[TheRisen999]

19 hours ago, Atlfanstckndenver said:

I don't want to replace him myself.  I want to complement him. Although lolo might serve in that role just fine this year. 

This is what I was thinking as well. However, I think Lolo needs to get his hands together or I think we need to look at him as only a reserve.  We need TE's that can catch as well as block reliably.