Crossroads Week For Kyle Rudolph
October 7th, 2022
Bucs tight end Kyle Rudolph
Entering Sunday’s game at tight end, the Bucs have blocking-struggling rookie Cade Otton (4 catches for 33 yards) and rookie Ko Kieft (1 catch) available along with two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph.
So will Rudolph finally get significant playing time Sunday? He’s played just nine snaps this season.
It seems like a no-brainer that Rudolph should get a chunk of work on Sunday against the Falcons with Cameron Brate out with a concussion. If Rudolph can’t get on the field now ahead of a couple of rookies with the Bucs’ run game struggling, then when will he?
Rudolph has to know the offense well by now and he’s healthy. So his invisibility means he’s either in Todd Bowles’ doghouse, Tom Brady doesn’t trust him, or Father Time horsecollar tackled him in training camp.
If Rudolph is an afterthought on Sunday (hopefully he’s not) then Joe hopes general manager Jason Licht starts considering trading or cutting Rudolph.
A washed up veteran fourth-string tight end who doesn’t play special teams will not help the Bucs win a Super Bowl.
For those wondering, O.J. Howard has made three starts for Houston and has 5 catches for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns.
October 7th, 2022 at 6:30 pm
4 games, 1 catch, 12 yards.
1 word – GOODBYE
October 7th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
It’s not like Brate was setting the world on fire, he was dropping passes and can’t block. If Rudolph cannot beat him out and can’t step up this game over the rookies, they need to get rid of him
October 7th, 2022 at 6:40 pm
I can see Carol Brunette already tugging on her earlobe saying “so long”.
October 7th, 2022 at 6:41 pm
I can already see Carol Brunette tugging on her earlobe saying “so long”
October 7th, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Rudolph is a rental. Like a tryout, that’s not gone well.
October 7th, 2022 at 6:47 pm
gotta start lookin elsewhere
October 7th, 2022 at 6:51 pm
Gotta look elsewhere huh, huh?
Does the name of Gronkowski come to mind!
October 7th, 2022 at 6:53 pm
I don’t understand why no keift is mainly used in that fullback roll. If he can block put him out there on the edge more. He doesn’t look bad as a pass catcher either and definitely can’t be worse than Kyle
October 7th, 2022 at 6:55 pm
Gronk left a hole the Bucs will not be able to fill anytime soon. Unless he comes riding to the rescue! Come on Gronk. Brady doesn’t deserve two divorces this season season!
October 7th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
What if we promised Gronkowski he could join USAA insurance. I bet then he’ll come back for sure!
October 7th, 2022 at 7:26 pm
How great was Gronk!
October 7th, 2022 at 7:48 pm
otten s worlds worst blocker
October 7th, 2022 at 7:56 pm
What about Julio? Will he play more than 7 snaps? Will he play at all? Why not sit him until he’s 100% ready to get hurt again? All these old, used up free agent pickups are looking pretty bad for Licht. Only bright side was Logan Ryan and look where he is now. Maybe Licht should try signing Terrell Owens and Larry Fitzgerald next… 😤
October 7th, 2022 at 7:58 pm
Gronk!
Get your butt back here big guy!
October 7th, 2022 at 8:01 pm
This is some kind of sneaky attack I’m starting to feel. What if the Bucs are keeping him sidelined and knowing the offense for a reason? Like say week 10 rolls around and gronk decides to come back? We should still be in a good position record wise and then we unveil a offense with gronk and Rudolph. Rotate brate in and do the same with the receivers. If obj comes along too this may be huge. I just don’t see any other reason Rudolph is still on the team on hasnt done much. I seen him play vs Green Bay. He looked fine. Nothin since. W
October 7th, 2022 at 8:16 pm
Brady can tell Gronk he will throw in Gisselle along with 5 or 6 milllion the Bucs will give him if he re-signs. Alright so maybe throwing in Gisselle will make him not want to sign, Gronk already has his own Gisselle.
October 7th, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Roll with the Ginger.
October 7th, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Rudolph looked horrible last year. Thought it was just Daniel Jones, and the wretched Dread Joe Judge. Looks like he’s collecting a paycheck. Slow as molasses running up hill in winte.
October 7th, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Winter
October 7th, 2022 at 8:32 pm
I notice they’re starting to use Evans on those seam routes Brady loves so much
October 7th, 2022 at 8:36 pm
I really wasn’t thrilled when we signed him. I thought it could work. Never was high on him, ever during his career. If anyone could make it work, it would have been Tom, but I guess not… As of now. I’m with Joe (Steve… If I remember correctly) Otton will be the #1 for sure next year. Another year with nfl training and weight lifting, he’ll bulk up for blocking. Unless we get Gronk, unless someone has a come to Jesus moment in the TE room, we’re going to get little to nothing from that position.
October 7th, 2022 at 8:41 pm
Beeej, noticed the same thing. It’s a dangerous route for the reciever. Usually a safety goes low. They all but banned Gronk from running it in new England after the TJ Ward hit. Hopefully they don’t get Evans killed
October 7th, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Exactly what is the problem with Rudolph, that they bothered to sign him at all if he is that useless and that physically done? He was the consensus best TE available in FA, but there were other options that would have been more creative and productive.
Cut him loose. They have plenty of needs.
October 7th, 2022 at 9:21 pm
@John,
I like the way you think. Surely your postulation is improbable at best, but dang, to roll out a combo like Gronk and a very good Rudolph – – holy crap with our other WR’s we would be unstoppable.
OK, I’m waking up now… LOL
October 7th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
KO KIEFT.
Blocks like a tank and did everyone see the sideline back shoulder catch he made? Obvious. Start the man.
October 7th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
I think Rudolph went to $hit and the hogs ate him.
October 7th, 2022 at 9:51 pm
Me want more ko!
October 7th, 2022 at 9:52 pm
Rudolph. Red nose. Slow foot. Should follow the lead of Mrs. Beasley.
October 7th, 2022 at 10:09 pm
Cade and Ko are the only TEs I want to see playing. The more snaps these guys get, the better they’ll get.
October 7th, 2022 at 10:10 pm
TE is a real issue, I see the 4 deep but Brate is washed up and it appears Rudolf is too
KO is a mauler and Otton over time will be okay hopefully but today we need help, badly
Can we beg Gronk for a half season and the SB run?
October 7th, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Kyle Rudolph is splattered on the crossroads; he’s roadkill.
October 7th, 2022 at 10:27 pm
Redeemer Says:
October 7th, 2022 at 8:41 pm
Beeej, noticed the same thing. It’s a dangerous route for the reciever. Usually a safety goes low. They all but banned Gronk from running it in new England after the TJ Ward hit. Hopefully they don’t get Evans killed
One reason he gets few picks is he won’t throw across the middle to someone he doesn’t trust. That small Gronkless group now includes ME13 and Godwin
October 7th, 2022 at 10:40 pm
Just fyi. Oj has played but NOT started. The starter was cut this week now OJ should start. We should see Gronk soon. The reason he is not playing is we wore him out physically last year refusing to give him breathers. You can ask him he was befuddled based on How OJ was performing second hall of year diring practice but BA coach didn’t put him in. Had we nOT BEEM battered all year he would of came bacK start of year. Our offense would of started better and we could of had better record. That packers loss will haunts us for a home playoff game maybe even home thru out the playoffs. Amd don’t tell me bradybdidt trust OJ. Gronk vet day Oj was scoring at practices and showing deserving play time second half of season.
October 7th, 2022 at 10:46 pm
According to Joe, we can expect an explosion from Brady and a dream game from Evans. Sounds greatJoe, hope you didn’t jinx it.
October 8th, 2022 at 2:10 am
He and Bernard should both be released >>>>>
October 8th, 2022 at 3:34 am
I’m with you MadMax, time for TB to give Gronk a call.
October 8th, 2022 at 3:58 am
so wait, let’s get this straight:
kyle has been with julio this whole time….down by the schoolyard?
October 8th, 2022 at 7:21 am
We should’ve gotten Jesse James
October 8th, 2022 at 7:28 am
Haven’t seen Rudolph so no idea what he can do. And funny how everyone knocks Brate but he out performed the waste that was OJ Howard and was a good compliment to Gronk. We decided in August to run with the young guys and hope we could get another year from Brate. Taking a flyer on Rudolph prove out Sunday – or not. I like going with Ko & Cade. By week 10 we’ll know.
October 8th, 2022 at 8:09 am
Legs are spent shouldnt be on roster
October 8th, 2022 at 8:58 am
Brate looked like he was running on sand last season. While he’s still serviceable, his best years are well behind in the rear view mirror.
The Rudolph signing perplexes me. Folks were saying he had an off year because he was on a terrible Giants team QB’ed by Daniel Jones. That perception was off-target, as Rudolph’s game had jumped the shark one year prior in Minne. I never understood the signing, at best he should have been given a minimum contract with incentives.
There’s no starting TE on this team. Otton’s contributions have been on Special Teams, he hasn’t delivered as a blocker or pass-catcher. Ko has nice hands but he’s both as powerful and slow as a glacier. He’s someone you throw to once, maybe twice a game
October 8th, 2022 at 9:23 am
Or maybe it’s just bad coaching and decision making of why he’s not getting many snaps!?
October 8th, 2022 at 11:13 am
If he is ineffective tomorrow he should pull a Beasley and skip town. Tampa is turning in last chance U.
October 8th, 2022 at 11:21 am
Before concussion Brate was playing well, but many don’t want to actually watch real performance in games. Dude almost made a spectacular TD catch after being concussed. Brate is better at blocking than ever and we will miss him tomorrow. However…..Ko.
October 8th, 2022 at 3:39 pm
Kyle who? Are you sure he plays for the TB Bucs?
October 8th, 2022 at 5:54 pm
Rudolph was given guaranteed money, that’s why he’s still here.
That, and I assume they won’t make a move until they’re certain Gronk isn’t coming back.