Kyle Rudolph Has “A Big Chip” On His Shoulder
August 8th, 2022
It seems the Bucs have an angry tight end, per a guy who spent a bunch of time with him on Saturday.
Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph landed in Tampa last month as a replacement for Rob Gronkowski.
The Bucs didn’t pay Rudolph a ton of money and he didn’t do much the past two seasons with the Vikings and Giants respectively. But Rudolph isn’t coasting or just happy to be with Tom Brady, says his former Notre Dame head coach.
Charlie Weis, the former Patriots, Jets and Chiefs playcaller, told his SiriusXM NFL Radio audience that he went to the full Bucs practice on Saturday to catch up with Rudolph, his start Fighting Irish tight end.
Weis shared that Rudolph has “a big chip on his shoulder right now” after the Vikings chose to roll with tight end Irv Smith over him in 2020 and 2021, and after the Giants didn’t use Rudolph in the red zone.
“There’s a lot of people that have said he’s done,” Weis said, countering that Rudolph “is the best he’s looked physically in a decade. … He’s in the 250s.”
Weis sees Rudolph having 50-catch potential in the Bucs’ 2022 offense and he also sees what is obvious to all NFL observers. “This is why these really good teams don’t drop off too much because they get guys like [Rudolph, Julio Jones and Giovani Bernard],” Weis said.
Joe found this all very interesting because of Rudolph’s close friendship with Weis. Maybe, just maybe, Rudolph has another Pro Bowl season left in his 32-year-old body.
However, the “in the 250s” line spooked Joe just a little. Rudolph has played significantly bigger than that in past years, and he was 259 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine years ago. Perhaps the weight number is tied to Devin White saying Rudolph isn’t quite in football shape.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Age is a factor but maybe not for the Bucs? A good rotation, less snaps, and selflessness attitude should keep these vets healthy.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Hopefully less weight means he’s able to move better. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for us in the red zone. Evans is lethal down there. Brate is pretty good there too. We have no excuses to miss out on TDs once we’re inside the 10 with our lineup… And I forgot about Julio… And Godwin goes without saying.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Once again, as a football coach, I hate the replacement word. Players don’t replace other players, not in production or talent. Players bring their own dynamics to a team, and the team/coaches have to use what’s dynamics are available to the best of their abilities. This offense, talent wise, is completely different that last season, in terms of personnel, so he doesn’t have to be Gronk, he just needs to be Rudolph in this offense, whatever that is. Great signing IMO.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Not sure if this is true for Rudolph but some older players drop some weight to be able to play faster. I still remember when Derrick Brooks said he dropped a few pounds as he got into his 30’s to maintain his quickness.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
On this one, I agree with Charlie. 50 catches is not an unreasonable expectation. He’s always had a knack for getting open, and Brady loves to utilize the position. Can you imagine going from Daniel Jones to Tom Brady? Not to mention the tire fire offense he played in. Joe Judge is an absolute buffoon. Every day with the Giants must’ve felt like an eternity for Rudolph. No, he’s not the player he was. But, he’s certainly better than the version we saw in NY.
I wouldn’t worry about the weigh. He’s not going to be asked to be an inline blocker like Gronk. I see Rudolph being split out a bunch, and running those little drag and option routes. No he’s not Gronk, but my hopes are high.
August 8th, 2022 at 3:08 pm
Another big target that can read and react as the play develops, on the same page as TB
Devin Thompkins!
August 8th, 2022 at 3:22 pm
Nobody can replace Gronk……but Rudolph certainly replaces OJ Howard….
I like our TE room……..Kyle, Cade, Cam & Ko…..too bad Cody didn’t make it.
August 8th, 2022 at 4:01 pm
White needs to talk less…a WHOLE lot less!!!
August 8th, 2022 at 4:09 pm
How about having Devin Thompkins returning some Buccaneers punts?
August 8th, 2022 at 4:12 pm
I’m excited about the potential Rudolph can bring. Whether that potential is realized is anyone’s guess. Since I choose to be optimistic, let’s hope this guy develops into a key player for us.
August 8th, 2022 at 5:16 pm
I trust a smart guy like Rudolph to carry the weight he feels will make him the most effective…. 250, 260 whatever.
August 8th, 2022 at 6:40 pm
Love it.
August 8th, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Wonder if he plays Saturday night.
August 8th, 2022 at 9:22 pm
How do a guy who played 10 years in the NFL have chip on his shoulder?? When Ira Kaufman love a guy he goes all out for that player. I don’t care about a old tight end who’s talking trash just to get another contract and he ain’t going to be a main factor on this team lol 😆 😂!! But get your hustle on bro and get your money !!
August 8th, 2022 at 10:43 pm
I love the aging-veterans-make-heroic-comeback stories where they make a huge impact for the team. I was so rooting for that to happen last year with Le’Veon Bell and Richard Sherman. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen with either of them, but I’m still rooting big time for it to happen to Rudolph and for him to have a heroic season. Never know, maybe he and TB will find some magical connection that leads to greatness between them.
August 8th, 2022 at 10:43 pm
He’s washed up
August 8th, 2022 at 11:15 pm
This guy and Jones Julio probably should be cut before many of their young teammates.
Tretter.
Suh.
August 9th, 2022 at 1:56 am
If Rudolph’s chip translates into major production, along with Kieft and Otton breaking out by surprise, and Brate exceeding previous incarnations of Brate, then the TE room is in good shape.
We can worry less about replacing Gronk, and focus our real worry on OL and DL/pass rush. Which still need to be addressed.
August 9th, 2022 at 6:58 am
Game 1: Tampa Bay 35 Dallas 14