He blocks like an offensive lineman.
He runs routes like a receiver.
And he carries the the ball like a hulking, ticked-off running back.
For years, the Pats punished opponents with a multi-talented, All-Pro tight end. On Sunday, they’ll be forced to confront one; specifically the only player who’s managed to resemble prime Rob Gronkowski since his Patriot days: 49ers All-Pro George Kittle.
Despite missing two games due to injury, Kittle leads San Francisco in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by wide margins this season. In Week 4, he totaled 15 catches for 183 yards against the Eagles, higher numbers than any Gronkowski ever posted in New England. Kittle has also made a weekly habit out of crushing edge defenders as a blocker, a major reason why the Niners lead the NFL in rushing yards on outside runs, per Sports Info Solutions.
From film study, Pats players have spotted two major similarities between Kittle and their former all-time teammate.
“I think one of the biggest things is when you watch Kittle, if he misses a block or he doesn’t sustain it the way he wants, you can see he gets mad about that. Like, he wants to be out there blocking,” Pats safety Devin McCourty said. “And I will say the other similarity is tackling. Trying to tackle both those guys, watching Gronk over the years of guys trying to tackle him and he’s using his off hand to — not just stiff-arm — but throw guys off him.
“You see that with Kittle, too.”
This year, the Patriots have combated elite tight ends primarily through timely double teams and man-to-man coverage from second-year defensive back Joejuan Williams and rookie safety Kyle Dugger. Considering Kittle’s physicality, it’s likely the Pats will also jam him at the line with an outside linebacker, as they’ve historically done to Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce. But once Kittle accelerates, he becomes one of the NFL’s hardest tackles in the open field — especially for defensive backs giving up 30-40 pounds by comparison.
“He’s just a guy that you would say he runs angry when he gets the ball in his hands. He’s not avoiding contact, he’s not going out of bounds, he’s trying to run through whoever is in front of him at his size and his power and strength,” said Pats cornerback Jason McCourty, who also called Kittle a beast. “It makes him extremely tough not only to guard, but to just get down once he has the ball in his hands.”
Devin McCourty noted the 49ers deploy Kittle differently than the Patriots did with Gronkowski. He’s heavily involved in their quick passing game, can align anywhere across the formation and has even taken two handoffs this season. Pats linebacker Brandon Copeland said limiting Kittle must start by identifying where he is and ensuing the entire defense is aware of his pre-snap location.
It’s how the Patriots largely kept Kelce and Raiders star tight end Darren Waller under wraps in Weeks 3 and 4, when they combined for five catches and 79 yards. Except Sunday, Kittle will be coming to inflict an All-Pro pain no one has known at Gillette Stadium since Gronkowski barreled down the seams. And like Gronk, he’ll be taking no prisoners en route to the end zone.
“When you have an athlete that loves the physicality and loves to be at the point of attack in all phases … it’s different,” Copeland said. “I think there are a lot of similarities, and that’s why they’re considered greats at their positions.”
Of course, keeping Kittle from reaching the end zone will be the Pats’ primary goal. One that if achieve would warrant Gronk-like celebrations after their biggest game of the season.
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October 24, 2020 at 04:39AM
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Patriots see similarities between 49ers’ George Kittle, prime Gronk - Boston Herald
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