In case you missed it, here is a reminder. Cole Kmet is a big dude. Cole Kmet is also a strong dude. Under normal circumstances, the smart thing to do would be not to anger somebody like that. Football is a physical sport, though. Defensive players are responsible for getting him on the ground and keeping him from making catches. However, they must also be prepared for the consequences of trying.
When Matt Eberflus arrived as the Chicago Bears new head coach, one thing immediately became clear. The defense was going to place much greater emphasis on takeaways. That meant going for interceptions and especially trying to punch the ball out for fumbles. Kmet has been a prominent victim of those attempts. He’d be lying if he said he liked it. So he told Adam Hoge of CHGO his solution to the problem. One that Bears defenders quickly realized they didn’t care for either.
“Well, so this happened in OTAs: I got hit, so I started stiff-arming. And people didn’t like that I was stiff-arming. So I just told the guys, ‘Well don’t hit me and you won’t get stiff-armed.’ So guys are a little lighter on me now because they know what’s going to happen if I get hit. But it hurts like a bitch when you get hit. I’m not going to lie.”
Hopefully, Cole Kmet had a dawning realization.
If he could get his defensive teammates to respect the stiff arm, that means it is a weapon he should probably use on Sundays. Remember, not only is he 6’6, but he also has 33-inch arms. He should have a reach advantage against most defenders in the league. That stiff arm could be devastating if he learns to use it right. Ask Rob Gronkowski. He had one that defenses feared early in his career. Guys went out of their way to avoid it.
Cole Kmet has the same capability in him. It’s about playing with that alpha mentality. Don’t avoid contact. Seek it out. Send a message to every defender that they’ll have to pay the price if they want to get physical. Considering how hard the tight end runs after the catch, it’s surprising he hasn’t tried to make this part of his arsenal sooner. Maybe the results he saw in OTAs woke him up to that untapped potential.
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C Kmet is playing TE, one of the hardest positions to play in the NFL, one in which ‘experts’ claim it takes 3-4 years to master. C Kmet was drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft. He is now learning a new system under a different HC and OC in his 3rd season. Growth was visible last season and that was in M Nagy’s scheme! So let’s stop all the bust bs, score TDs, make the catch first, etc., and understand one simple fact; Cole Kmet is an ascending young TE in this league and just starting to… Read more »
Wow — 33-inch arms! We all know how much you love those arm length measurements, Erik. Great reporting.
You must REALLY miss Nick Foles.
Can we stop with all the damn Gronk comparisons please?! I still can’t get the damn “Baby Gronk” comparisons to one of the biggest 2nd round bust/reaches (Adam Saheen) out of my head.
Can’t be a good tight end in the league and not catch touchdown passes
OK, but first catch it, then hang on to the football.