Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 19, 2022 51 IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE I n an instant-gratification business, NFL franchises aren't much inter- ested in waiting for their first- and second-round draft picks to develop before making an impact. Those early picks are supposed to be plug-and-play guys. That fast-track approach didn't necessarily hold up for former Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet, a third- year player and a 2019 second-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears. But with the recent and dramatic improve- ment Kmet is showing in the Windy City, he's becoming a case study in bet- ter late than never. After going 28 straight regular-season games without a touchdown — a streak that stretched back to the middle of his rookie season in 2020 — Kmet made 7 catches, on 8 targets, for 52 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in consecutive losses to Dallas (49-29) Oct. 30 and Mi- ami (35-32) Nov. 6. Kmet's 2 touchdowns against the Dolphins both came in the red zone, which has been a problem area for the Bears' offense this season under second-year quarterback Justin Fields and a new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. "As we've been getting more com- fortable in this offense, you can see guys starting to execute better in the red zone," Kmet told NBC Sports Chicago. "It takes all 11 on offense. Everything has got to click around you. "When I look at in the pass game and run game, I've seen a lot of growth from myself from last year." Kmet's work as a run blocker has never been questioned during his two- plus seasons with the Bears. "I know people don't love talking about the run game stuff," Kmet said, "but my run-game blocking has been great this year." However, the two-game production surge against the Cowboys and Dol- phins finally showed what Kmet was capable of as a pass catcher. "Cole is a weapon for sure," Fields told ChicagoBears.com. "Every time he gets the ball, he runs hard. He puts his pads down and tries to run through guys. He's a big guy. "We love getting him the ball. He's a great player and a great teammate." Following an offseason coaching overhaul, Kmet entered 2022 expected to become a focal point in Bears' passing attack, especially in the red zone. Getsy is known for a wide-zone rushing attack he leans on to create open opportunities in the passing game, especially for his tight ends. Yet, through seven games this season, Kmet had only 12 catches, on 18 targets, for 148 yards and no touchdowns. His surge against the Cowboys and Dolphins upped his season totals to 19 catches for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kmet, who caught 5 passes for 41 yards vs. Miami, became the first Bears player with multiple touchdown receptions in a game since fellow tight end Jimmy Gra- ham had 2 in a 41-17 win over the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Dec. 27, 2020. Kmet thinks he and the Bears offense are just getting started. "Definitely, obviously in the red zone being used like that, being used off of run action, getting handoffs, playing quarterback for a play," he said when asked if this is the most comfortable he has been as a Bear. "… We've been figuring this thing out dating back to OTAs [Organized Team Activities], and we're still continuing to figure this thing out with everybody involved, fig- uring our strengths out and things of that nature." ✦ During a two-week stretch against the Cowboys and Dolphins, Kmet reeled in 7 receptions for 52 yards and 3 touchdowns. PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO BEARS Cole Kmet Finding His Niche With The Bears IRISH IN THE NFL HIGHLIGHTS: WEEK 9 • Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens: Made 6 tackles in the Ravens' 27-13 win over the Saints … Has 25 tackles, 1 sack, 2 passes broken up and 1 forced fumble in nine games for 6-3 Baltimore. • Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Made 4 tackles and had 1 intercep- tion in the Vikings 20-17 win over the Com- manders … Has an interception in three straight games for the first time in his 11-year career … Has made 43 tackles with 4 intercep- tions and 2 passes broken up in seven starts for 7-1 Minnesota. • Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens: Started at left tackle and allowed 0 pressures in the Ravens' 27-13 win over the Saints … Has started five games for 6-3 Balti- more, allowing 2 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 75.6. • Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers: Started and made 10 tackles with 1 sack in the Chargers 20-17 win over the Falcons … Has 66 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 inter- ception in eight games (seven starts) for 5-3 Los Angeles.