Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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That’s been the case in practice, as the Vikings routinely lined up with two or even three tight ends on the field at the same time, giving the defense pause as to whether or not a run or pass is coming.
Kubiak had plenty of praise for the group Friday, especially for Rudolph, who ranks first in franchise history among tight ends with 41 touchdown catches and is second at the position behind 2019 Vikings Ring of Honor inductee Steve Jordan in catches and yards.
“The first thing I always say, it looks like we have some help with him,” Kubiak said. “We’ve got some guys who can go under and keep him fresh and those types of things, and I think that’s important.
“Kyle is a very smart route runner, got a big, big body so he can bang on people, but I think it’s our job as coaches to make sure we’re doing the right things with him, keeping him fresh as a player,” Kubiak added. “With these young kids we’ve got with him, I think we’ve got a chance to do that.”
Conklin had five catches for 77 yards as a rookie after he was a fifth-round pick out of Central Michigan. Kubiak noted he expects a sizable leap from Conklin in 2019.
“Second-year player, right? Usually guys make their biggest jump from Year 1 to 2 if they’re going to be a really good pro and play a while. You see that with him,” Kubiak said. “A good thing with Conk’ … a lot of tight ends are either physical tight ends or receiving tight ends … he’s one of the few guys who looks like he has the chance to do both.
“We’ll just stay patient with him and keep working, but he’s having a good camp,” Kubiak added.
Kubiak made it clear Friday that it’s evident Smith is in his first NFL training camp by saying the tight end has a lot to process these days. But the veteran coach likes what he’s seen from the 20-year-old.
“We’re asking a lot of him right now, and he’s playing all over the place,” Kubiak said, “[Vikings tight ends coach] Brian Pariani has worked with a lot of really good tight ends in this league and does a good job of catching them up.
“We’re asking a lot of Irv, but that’s the way it should be,” Kubiak added. “That’s why he’s here and I’m excited about working with him.”
Kubiak will soon get to see the tight ends in game action, as the Vikings open preseason play Aug. 9 in New Orleans. It will be Smith’s 21st birthday.
Kubiak will be watching to see if the tight ends can help the offense in both the running and the passing game.
“I think it’s a multiple position, you know what I mean? They’re asked to do a lot,” Kubiak said. “You want them to be good on the line of scrimmage in the run game, and now you want them to be a great route runner.
“I think you ask a little bit more of them from … maybe some guys,” Kubiak added. “They key to being a good tight end is being versatile, being able to do a lot … move and block. To get that done, you have to ask a lot of [them].”