All Things 2022 Gophers in NFL Thread

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Ko Kieft Doesn’t Care What Critics Think​



We all know the story by now. Ko Kieft isn’t supposed to be able to catch the ball. He’s not supposed to be a weapon in the passing game.

That was the word from all the draftniks leading up to the 2022 draft. That rookie Kieft, a tight end from Minnesota, was just a misplaced, one-dimensional fullback. He could block and that was about it.

It sure seems like the draftniks were dead wrong. And Kieft seems to be having the last laugh. Granted, Kieft has yet to put on pads for the Bucs, who drafted him in the sixth round. But so far, Kieft has demonstrated he can catch the damn ball through rookie minicamp, OTAs, mandatory minicamp and the first week of training camp in underwear football conditions.

Kieft spoke with Joe after practice yesterday at One Buc Palace and basically said in a matter-of-fact tone that unless someone with the Bucs offers an opinion about his play or his abilities, he has no use for them. They can shove their smack where the sun doesn’t shine.

“I don’t care if someone else who has no idea who I am, that’s not on this team — if it’s some other coach or another player telling me [what] I have to do, I’ve got no time for that,” the pride of Sioux Center, Iowa said.
“When I was in college at Minnesota, I did what I was asked to do. And that’s what I did.”
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And he did it quite well. Kieft was not asked to be Travis Kelce at Minnesota. He was asked to be a bone-crushing blocker from his Gophers coach, former Bucs wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck. Because of this, the draftniks deemed Kieft a one-trick pony.

From what Joe has seen Kieft is much more than that. Oh sure, he’s physical. But Kieft has caught several passes working with both the first-team Bucs offense and the second-team offense. He doesn’t look overmatched or clumsy.

Joe is not saying Kieft is the next Tony Gonzalez; slow down. But he’s a capable pass-catcher.

Of course, being able to catch passes from Tom Brady, well, that guy makes everyone look better. Kieft admits like anyone else, when he first realized he would be playing with Brady it was an OMG moment. That, Kieft said, has quickly subsided.

“It was pretty surreal the first day he was in for minicamp,” Kieft said. “Now, it’s like it doesn’t matter. You have to do your job. Your assignment, your technique and all of that. That’s all I’m worried about.”
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Kieft told Joe, as other Bucs have, that Brady is just like anyone else in the locker room. The difference is Brady has very high standards and he demands those standards are met.

“Oh, 100 percent,” Kieft said. “Great leader. Coming into this, you realize why he’s been so successful. It’s every day with him [how everyone must improve]. It’s incredible to see.
“It’s a blessing to be part of this team.”
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www.joebucsfan.com

Ko Kieft Doesn't Care What Critics Think - JoeBucsFan.com

We all know the story by now. Ko Kieft isn’t supposed to be able to catch the ball. He’s not supposed to be a weapon in the passing game. That was the word from all the draftniks leading up to […]
www.joebucsfan.com

Go Gophers!!
 











Santoso pushed a 60 yard FG attempt just a shade right. Had the distance.
 





MNVCGUY said:
Awesome to see the Ravens promoting Bateman as their #1 WR. Hopefully he comes through with a huge year.
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I'm FB friends with Vinny Cerrato who's now working in Baltimore sports radio and he's put up many Bateman related posts going back to OTAs. He's very high on him!
 


BilldGopher said:
From the Tampa Bay Times...behind a paywall article about TB being loaded at receivers and cuts need to be made.

However, regarding Tyler...

View attachment 19606
Appears to be a lock to return. Good going to Mr. Johnson.
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Good to hear he is putting in the work. He is getting to that make or break point in his NFL career so if he wants to stick around in the league he has to do the little things that it will take to keep his career going.
 








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