'Patient' Frank Moreau becomes a Chief
The running back that patiently waited his turn to shine while at the University of Louisville now finds himself a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham selected the Elizabethtown, KY native on Sunday in the 4th round of the NFL Draft.
The Chiefs scouting report on Moreau said that he is a big, physical back who has the power to drag defenders up the middle of the field, or stiff-arm his opponent to break it open turning the corner. It continued to say that he has the weave and wiggle to get through the holes and has explosive burst to pull away from the pile. The report on the fifth-year senior finished by stating the he patiently reads his blocks and sets up defenders well.
Patience is what enabled Moreau to achieve his childhood dream of playing in the NFL.
When the injury bug hit the running back unit his freshmen year in 1995, Moreau was called into duty and did so with success. He participated in the seasons final five games, gaining 416-yards on 96 carries. The following season he earned the starting spot in the Cardinal backfield but saw it crumble when he was injured in the season opener and was granted a medical redshirt.
When he returned in 1997, fully rehabilitated from a knee operation, he found himself at the bottom of the depth chart. By mid-season he had regained the starting position and became the teams leading rusher with 573-yards.
1998, much like 1996, appeared to be his year. Once again he found himself on the sidelines as he watched junior college transfer Leroy Collins take the majority of the snaps in the Cardinal offense. He finished the year with his lowest output of his career, gaining a meager 307-yards.
When Collins declared early for the NFL Draft, it once again opened the door for Moreau to reclaim the starting role in 1999. This time he tackled the opportunity by putting forth extreme effort during spring and fall practices. He finished his senior season by running for more than 100-yards in seven outings en route to emassing 1,289-yards on the ground.
For his career, Moreau gained 2,599-yards, fifth on the Louisville career rushing list. He averaged a very impressive 7.2-yards per carry average.
Now this patient running back will join a team that finished 1999 with the forth best rushing offense in the NFL. Once again Moreau will have to prove his worth and earn the respect of the coaching staff. Once again Moreau will have to wait until it is his turn.
Moreau summed it up best on a question and answer posted on the Kansas City Chiefs official web site by saying, “I started my career in '95 and tore my MCL in '96, battled back and then finally in my senior year I got it going, rushing for over 1200 yards, caught 38 passes, and ended up eighth in the nation in rushing and fourth best receiver on my team. It's been a real great year for me. I'm just truly blessed. I'm just so excited right now.
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