Is Kyle Rudolph Poised for a Breakout Season?

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) is tackled by Green Bay Packers defensive back Morgan Burnett (42) during the first quarter at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Which Viking is getting the highest praise from coaches and teammates after a couple weeks of OTAs? That would be Kyle Rudolph. The third year tight end is reportedly looking great in fake practice. It’s a whole new Kyle Rudolph this year according to Leslie Frazier. The coach said:

"I try not to get too far ahead of myself, but the Kyle Rudolph that I see now is so much more confident and more sure of himself than the Kyle I saw a year ago at this time. It’s like night and day to me, personally. I’m anxious to see how he does when we get to training camp from a blocking standpoint, but that Pro Bowl [MVP performance], it’s flipped the switch. He knows he has a chance to be a premier tight end in this league after what he did over there being MVP and it’s evident by the way he’s practicing, the way he runs his routes, the control he has in the meetings. … But it’s obvious he’s taken his game up to another notch but we’re still only in June so I have to temper my emotions a little bit. I’m excited about what I see."

Chad Greenway also had great things to say about Rudolph, declaring that Rudolph will be ” the breakout star in the NFL.” That would certainly be a big help to Christian Ponder. Speaking of the QB, he also praised K-Rudy, saying:

He’s running great routes, getting a better understand(ing) of coverages, you can tell, and it’s just clicking for him. When you’re Pro Bowl MVP it’s hard not to be confident.

We’re all pulling for Kyle Rudolph to have a great season. The Vikings need the production especially in the red zone. And of course we all want to see more of the ice auger. Can’t get enough of the ice auger.

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