They are almost the worst.
Kyle Rudolph has been one of the best for years.
Hence the marriage of Rudolph and the Giants.
Of all the stats and analysis and exploration into Rudolph’s efficiency over nearly a decade, compared to a decline in the past two years, one track stands out above all others with the new Giants’ tight ending. Of his 48 touchdown receptions in his career, 40 – 83.3 percent – have entered the red zone. This power fits right into the groove of the Giants’ most glaring weakness.
In 2020, the Giants had the NFL’s 31st attack in the red zone conversion rate, scoring touchdowns on just 46.3 percent of their trips within the opponents’ 20-yard line. Rudolph’s track record indicates that he will help increase the frequency of the Giants in the End Zone, in partnership with Evan Engram.
“Look at the red zone objectively,” Rudolph said on Wednesday after signing his contract. making disputed catches is. You will not schematically get a guy to open wide in the end zone, you don’t see it often. From time to time you can, but usually scoring the red zone is bang-bang passes and it takes a quarterback’s confidence. ”
The 6-foot-6 Rudolph was a three-time all-conference basketball player in Cincinnati high school and believes his skill on the field is related to his NFL scoring ability.
“It’s really no different than going upstairs to get a rebound from the glass,” he said.
Rudolph had six touchdown catches in 2019, but only one in 12 games last season. After an average of 63 receptions over four years, Rudolph had only 39 and 28 catches in the past two years. His quick count on offense diminished with the arrival of Irv Smith as a tight end goal, and the reduced production, 31-year-old Rudolph points out, is no indication of diminished power.
“As my role has changed over the years, it wasn’t like I couldn’t run around and catch balls, I just did more of the blocking work,” Rudolph said. “I am extremely competitive and it forced me to go two ways. I could have complained about it or I could have taken it as a challenge to improve that aspect of my game. ”