Ko Kieft Preparing For “Physical” New Orleans Defense
December 5th, 2022
Rookie tight end Ko Kieft.
So last week Bucs rookie tight end Ko Kieft caught his first NFL touchdown when he hauled in a Tom Brady offering — perfectly targeted — in the right flat just inside the goal line.
Joe had a few readers say that was the same play in which fellow Bucs rookie tight end Cade Otton scored the game-winning touchdown against the Rams three weeks prior.
Nope, said Kieft.
“I was coming out of the backfield and Cade’s was a little different,” Kieft said. “But pretty similar.”
Aside from Kieft coming out of the backfield and Otton lining up at tight end, it was almost identical.
Joe has a hunch Kieft is going to spend a lot of time tonight helping Josh Wells block Saints monster defensive end Cam Jordan. As seen last year in the playoffs, Wells is a backup for a reason and Joe believes Jordan is just a wee bit better than Leonard Floyd.
Kieft wouldn’t let the cat out of the bag about his responsibilities tonight but he did admit the slimy Saints have a very physical defense.
“Dude, they are so physical,” Kieft said. “They are one of the most physical defenses in the NFL. Their line, their D-ends, they are really physical. Cam Jordan, obviously. Marcus Davenport, Carl Granderson. They are so physical.”
The Bucs drafted Kieft, in part, because he is a physical grinder unafraid to mix it up. Seems like he will get plenty of opportunities to display that tonight.
December 5th, 2022 at 1:49 pm
If Kieft is helping Wells, who is on the other side helping out Durable-is-my-only-saving-grace Donnie?
December 5th, 2022 at 1:50 pm
I kid (somewhat).
D Smith is an above average left tackle, but he had a HORRIBLE game against Cleveland last week. Killed off 3 scoring drives himself.
December 5th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
The ‘Bodyguard”
December 5th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
so… you’re saying they’re physical then?
December 5th, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Until Leftwich designs an offense to take advantage of a defense’s weaknesses or to compensate for the Buc’s weaknesses, I’m not holding my breath that Wells gets help.
December 5th, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Don’t worry. BL will show them who is boss. Up the gut 20 times. They’ll never expect that . 🧐
December 5th, 2022 at 3:15 pm
3rd and long all night. Not looking forward to the stubborn as a brick play calling. Run on first. Run on 2nd. 3rd and long all go long bomb incomplete. Punt. “We gon’ do what we do”
December 5th, 2022 at 3:35 pm
time to blow these ahiole out and finish this fued…
December 5th, 2022 at 3:56 pm
For some strange reason, I totally trust Kief will be physical right back. Love the mentality of this kid.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Speaking of TE’s on this roster, please play Otton over Brate, and let Kief block for Otton’s receptions over the middle.
December 5th, 2022 at 4:00 pm
@WilllieG – exactly.
“We do what we do. That’s football” – B. Leftwich
(translation: I’m clueless AND stubborn)
December 5th, 2022 at 4:24 pm
He can catch!
Use him !
December 5th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
On hearing Ko say that the Saints are ‘so physical’ I kinda wondered if that’s translated into creating more turnovers against us. Definitely looks like it has.
Starting in 2019 when BA arrived, we’ve played 7 regular season games against them. In those, we’ve given the ball away 16 times & the Saints have coughed up 8 times. Of course, 5 of their TOs were in the first game of this season which we won 20-10. Prior to that one, the Saints held a 15-3 advantage in turnovers & had won 6 straight.
Turnovers played a huge role in those 6 victories. We won our sole game 20-10 by forcing 5 takeaways & only giving it away once in that game; without the takeaways, we would’ve lost.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:14 pm
I’m just rooting for the kid. That’s all.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Same play, I think Gruden called that play spider Y banna.
December 5th, 2022 at 6:02 pm
“Spider 2 Y banana”, actually
December 5th, 2022 at 6:29 pm
absolutely he can catch ….I’d play him over Brate
December 5th, 2022 at 7:19 pm
I have a plan…..let’s duct tape B.Leftworst…. and hide him in a closet…. Until the end of the game. Let Tom call his own plays..
December 9th, 2022 at 4:44 am
We almost always seem to make Granderson look All Pro!