Tag: Kyle Rudolph

Notre Dame Football: Tight End U Product Up for Man of the Year Award

But it’s something much bigger than football that has Kyle Rudolph in the headlines this week.

Kyle Rudolph was one of many Notre Dame tight ends in recent memory to go from playing under the golden dome to playing on Sunday.

Since his NFL career began in 2011 he’s caught more than 420 balls for over 4000 yards and 47 touchdowns. He’s been a mainstay with the Minnesota Vikings for almost a decade now and will be headed to the playoffs this January for the fourth time in his career.

But it’s something much bigger than football that has Kyle Rudolph in the headlines this week.

As successful of career as he’s had, snagging first down and touchdown receptions like they’re going out of style, Rudolph may very-well go down being remembered more for his contributions off the field, which is saying something because he’s one helluva football player, too.

Rudolph was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for the third time in his career this past Thursday.

I have no doubt if we were to examine the nominees from all 32 teams we would find 32 inspiring stories worthy of praise.

But since this websites name is Fighting Irish Wire, why don’t we take a look at exactly what Rudolph has done to again earn a nominee.

Here is the video the Vikings came up with last season. Honestly if he didn’t win it after this I don’t know how he ever will but it’s that good so take the seven or so minutes and watch this:

Then here is the video they used this year – clearly an incredible job using his platform to better the cause for the less fortunate.

Every nominee will receive up to $50,000 for a charity of their choice will the eventual winner will receive $250,000 to go to their desired charity.

For information on all 32 nominees you can check out the NFL website who has compiled all of the information.

The winner will be announced at the NFL Awards Show on the eve of Super Bowl LIV.

Kyle Rudolph is Vikings’ nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year award

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise with all the work Rudolph does in the community, especially with the Children’s Hospital.

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph is the team’s nominee for the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise with all the work Rudolph does in the community, especially with the Children’s Hospital.

The team went all-out in its efforts to get Rudolph the award last season. While Rudolph didn’t win, that doesn’t take anything away from what he did, and what he continues to do.

If you want a refresher on what Rudolph has done for the state of Minnesota, see the video below. Make sure to grab some tissues.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph has been a TD machine lately

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph might not be in as much of a pass-catching role as he was in the past, but the’s still finding the end zone.

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph might not be in as much of a pass-catching role as he was in the past, but the’s still finding the end zone.

In 2019, Rudolph has 33 catches for just 301 yards. With that, though, Rudolph has already caught six touchdowns, up two from last season. He’s caught all six touchdowns in the last six weeks and has five in the last four weeks, including a two touchdown performance against the Cowboys in Week 10.

It is pretty remarkable that Rudolph has been able to find the end zone as much as he has in his career. His 47 receiving touchdowns rank fifth in team history, just three behind Sammy White for fourth place.

Rudolph will have his next chance to find the end zone on Sunday against the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. In 15 career games against the Lions, Rudolph has 61 catches for 617 yards and nine touchdowns.

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. makes NFL.com’s All-Rookie Team

Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been solid for Minnesota in his rookie season.

Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been solid for Minnesota in his rookie season.

The second-round pick out of Alabama has 28 catches for 267 yards and a touchdown. While those numbers might not jump out, it’s worth noting that Smith is doing this behind Kyle Rudolph on the roster.

His performance has earned him a spot on NFL.com’s 2019 Offensive All-Rookie Team.

Here’s a snippet of what was written about Smith:

It’s a major upset that neither Iowa Hawkeyes standout claimed this spot, but Denver’s Noah Fant has been one of the most mistake-prone starters at any position and Detroit’s T.J. Hockenson wasn’t much better before landing on injured reserve with an ankle ailment sustained on Thanksgiving Day. Smith has been better than advertised as a blocker while helping to fill the receiving void left by Pro Bowl wideout Adam Thielen’s extended absence due to a hamstring injury.

Smith has a Pro Football Focus grade of 66.9, a mark that ranks 24th among tight ends in the NFL.

Irish in the NFL: Kyle Rudolph Finds the End Zone. Again.

After failing to find the end zone the first six weeks of the season, Rudolph has now done so six times in the six games since.

For the sixth time in the last six games, Minnesota Vikings tight end and Notre Dame product Kyle Rudolph found the end zone, cutting the Seahawks lead on Monday Night Football to just four.

Like we’ve seen from Rudolph time and time again, it was a one-handed snag that wound up a score.

It’s starting to feel like a weekend tradition here on Fighting Irish Wire, recapping Rudolph’s score.

After failing to find the end zone the first six weeks of the season, Rudolph has now done so six times in the six games since.

Rudolph’s catch and score wasn’t enough however as the Vikings fell to Seattle, 37-30 and to 8-4 on the season.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen ruled out against Seahawks on Monday

The Minnesota Vikings will face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football without star receiver Adam Thielen, who has been ruled out.

The Seattle Seahawks secondary caught a break on Sunday, with the news that Minnesota Vikings star receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) will not play on Monday night.

Thielen has not played since Week 9 against the Chiefs, a game he left after just seven snaps.

Still, the speedy receiver has hauled in 27 receptions for 391 yards and six touchdowns in what has only really amounted to six games.

Most expected he’d return in time to face Seattle on Monday night, including Seahawks coach Pete Carroll – who said, “I’ll be really surprised if he doesn’t make it back for Monday night.”

“He’s a great player,” Carroll continued. “Makes the plays. Hard to cover. Can beat you on the one on ones. More than that, he makes big plays – really timely, clutch. He just comes through. If he’s on my team, I say you can’t replace that guy. He is what he is. They have Stefon Diggs. He’s a terrific football player and he’s really picked up the slack and all that, but it’s hard to replace those guys.”

The Vikings will rely heavily on Diggs as well as running back Dalvin Cook and a pair of strong tight ends in veteran Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith, Jr.

However, not getting Thielen back will only make things tougher for Kirk Cousins and the rest of the Minnesota offense, who is meeting a Seattle defense that has been red-hot these past few weeks.

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Irish in the NFL: Rudolph Puts Vikings in Front

Make that five times now in his last five games.

Last week we discussed how Kyle Rudolph had turned a corner after he pulled down a pair of one-yard touchdowns in Minnesota’s victory Sunday night at Dallas.

Despite a slow start that saw him fail to get in the end zone through six games, Rudolph managed to find pay-dirt four times in the four games since.

Well.

Make that five times in his last five games.

The Vikings got off to an incredibly slow start Sunday against the underdog Broncos, falling behind 20-0 on their home field by halftime.

The Vikings came marching back in the second half before Rudolph put them in front for the first time all day.

Tight End U at it again as the Vikings held on to win, 27-23.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph suffers case of mistaken identity

Kyle Rudolph unintentionally got caught up on the Mason Rudolph situation last night on social media.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph was on Good Morning Football on Friday morning and shared his unintentional connection to the incident at the end of Thursday’s Pittsburgh Steelers game.

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Fantasy football: 5 sleepers to start, 5 starters to sit in Week 11

Fantasy football starters, sleepers, sits ahead of Week 11.

It’s crunch time in fantasy football.

A little scouting and you can avoid a crucial late-season loss or do just enough to cross the finish line with a win this week. We’ve got you covered with a quick scouting report to help you out.

Here are five sleepers to start and five starters you’ve got to sit in fantasy football Week 11:

Starts
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

QB Sam Darnold

Since returning from mono, the Jets and Sam Darnold haven’t have the best go of things. But he’s fresh off a very solid game in their meeting with the Giants in Week 10. An upcoming meeting with the Redskins suggests that could continue. Washington allows the highest completion rate (72.5 percent) and seventh-highest touchdown rate (100.7) to opposing quarterbacks. Darnold also has thrown at least 30 passes in every game this year.

RB Melvin Gordon

The Chiefs are known for the offense and known for their shaky defense. That shaky level starts with their run defense, the second-worst ranked run defense in the NFL. That plus Melvin Gordon is kind of back? In his last two games, he’s combined for 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Good idea for the Chargers to get him the ball this week.

RB JD McKissic

Also a potential sleeper to find on the wavier wire, JD McKissic has plenty of value for the Lions this week. With Kerryon Johnson out, Ty Johnson was the No. 2 but struggled while No. 3, McKissic, did better. Now Ty Johnson is injured and form considered, McKissic is the starter against the Cowboys this week for Detroit. McKissic has more carries and features in the pass game even with Matt Stafford out. The Cowboys have struggled against opposing backs in the air in recent weeks as well.

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7 waiver wire pickups in fantasy football for Week 11

Target these players on the waiver wire in Week 11.

This NFL season has been more unpredictable than any year I can remember. Constant injuries to big-name players and then even injuries to their backups have provided little room for consistency. When it comes to fantasy football, this has been the dagger for most people who thought they drafted the perfect team.

It goes to show that fantasy football is a gamble. You never really know what a player is going to do week to week and we all know projected points mean less and less each week. However it is Week 11 and for those of you who have not quit your leagues altogether, it may not be too late.

With Green Bay, Tennessee, New York (Giants) and Seattle all on a bye, here are your waiver wire pickups for Week 11 to help you make that playoff push:

(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

WR James Washington — 18.3% rostered (ESPN)

With the revolving door of quarterbacks in Pittsburgh this season, James Washington has not had the breakout sophomore season everyone predicted. On Sunday against the rams, however, the Oklahoma State product connection finally flourished between Washington and quarterback Mason Rudolph.

Washington finished the day with six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. As the Steelers keep winning games and having success throwing the ball, look for Washington to be included more and more in this young offense. The Steelers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns on Thursday night.

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