Switching positions paid off for Utah's Ta'amu

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

By the way he plays, it would have been hard to believe that University of Utah offensive lineman Ed Ta'amu was shy. Yet, that shyness might have opened the door to an NFL career.

Utah guard Ed Ta'amu, left, leads the way for running back Dameon Hunter. University of Utah photo

"That season, I came out of summer camp as the starting defensive tackle," recalled Ta'amu in a telephone interview from Salt Lake City. "I didn't know what was wrong. Because I was shy, I was afraid to talk to my (defensive line) coach. So I asked Coach (Ron) McBride to move me over. It was a good decision for me. I got more exposure playing offensive line."

He certainly did.

"This guy might be one of the most powerful linemen I've seen in a while," said Larry Bryan, Western regional scout for the expansion Houston Texans. "He needs to really polish up some of his pass-blocking techniques. But he's tough, competitive. I venture to say he has a real fine career ahead of him."

"... He showed in Mobile (Ala., site of the Senior Bowl) the ability to recover and adjust to counter moves by his opponent," according to veteran draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. in his latest draft report. "When he gets his hands on the defensive tackle, he's really in control."

Ta'amu said his strength is his aggressive play.

"Playing within the standards of the rules, I have a nasty way of playing," Ta'amu said. "I like going downfield to get that extra hit."

While his athleticism might have allowed him to adjust at the collegiate level, the pro game demands technique. In the NFL, his pass-blocking skills must improve, draft analysts say.

Ed Ta'amu is projected to get drafted in the 4th round.

"(Ta'amu) fires out aggressively, but will over-extend at times, thus negating some of his strength," Kiper added.

Ta'amu agrees with the assessment.

"I have to control my aggression when I'm out there," he said. "You have to think and anticipate. On defense, you just find the guy with the ball and tackle him. On offense, you have to concentrate on taking the right steps, getting the right hand placement on the defenders. It's all the little stuff you have to take care of."

Like all the other draft candidates, Ta'amu went through the ringer that is known as the combine, where players are scrutinized by scouts and player personnel crew. Also, his college alma mater hosted two Pro Days for scouts to look at Utah players.

Ta'amu said the process tests not only players' abilities, but also their minds.

"It was just nervous having all those scouts around," Ta'amu recalled. "It was overwhelming knowing all these people were there, the same people who will be making final decisions on draft day. You try to psych yourself up, but it's nerve-wracking."

Yet Ta'amu still can't believe how far he has come. As a teenager, he recalled being thrilled when defensive lineman Ta'ase Faumui was drafted in the fourth round out of the University of Hawai'i in 1994. It was special to Ta'amu because they belonged to the same church.

"We were happy when he made it," Ta'amu said. "I always thought he would represent us for our church. But now this is my opportunity."