George Kittle is one of the best tight ends in recent memory, and he has inspired plenty of other players at the position — including the Packers’ budding star.
For the first time in over a year, Tucker Kraft did not catch a pass for the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. In fact, Kraft had 19 straight games with two or more catches before the win in Chicago, a clear indication of how important he has become for a Packers team that desperately needed a playmaker at tight end.
On the other sideline this Sunday will be one of Kraft’s idols, a player that any young tight end looks up to these days: George Kittle. Kittle has had plenty of success against the Packers in his career. In six games against Green Bay, Kittle has over 400 total receiving yards and two touchdowns, one of which came in January’s divisional playoff game.
Kraft does not yet have the elite high-level receiving production that Kittle has put up over his career, but he has been a consistent playmaker and is a force as both a receiver and a blocker. That, at least, makes him much like Kittle, with his ability to play in-line as well as moving all over the formation.
Fans of the tight end position should be treated to a good matchup this Sunday afternoon. Hopefully Kraft will end up coming out on the winning end of this game, though.
Tucker Kraft Doesn’t Want to be Just ‘the Next George Kittle’ | SI.com
Yes, Kraft was shut out in the passing game last week, but that’s not a concern. Neither is comparing him to one of the game’s greats — Kittle is certainly a great player to look up to, but Kraft has his eyes set on making his own mark.
49ers TE George Kittle ‘can’t pass up’ opportunity to play Packers | Packers Wire
As for Kittle himself, he’s determined to suit up on Sunday after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury.
Packers eager for playoff rematch with ‘dangerous’ 49ers | Packers.com
Even players who weren’t wearing green and gold last year — Xavier McKinney, for example — know how important this game is from an emotional perspective.
Packers get a boost from second-year DE Brenton Cox Jr. – ESPN
Cox’s season debut did not come until last week, but he has apparently shown flashes in practice this season. Those flashes became reality in game action last Sunday with his two big plays in the backfield.
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This might be the craziest story of the year; a month-long search for this man in Green Lake was futile now that he has been identified as being alive and well half a world away.