Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Through three games, the Vikings have yet to get a 100-yard receiving performance from any player.
But Sunday’s win was the most prolific from Minnesota’s tight ends group so far this season, as they recorded four catches for 71 yards — with each reception going for a first down. Vikings tight ends had four catches for seven yards through the first two games, with all of the production coming in Week 2.
Smith, a second-round pick from Alabama, led the way with three receptions for 60 yards. Rudolph added a gain of 11 on a screen pass. The veteran and the rookie had the highest yards of separation on catches for the Vikings in Week 3.
“It definitely felt good,” Smith said. “The offense had been working super hard to just come out there and play fast, so it feels good to come out there and be rewarded and make plays.”
He set a franchise record for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a single game, eclipsing Andrew Jordan’s 57 against New England in 1994.
“It’s crazy. I didn’t even know how many yards I had, I’m just out there catching the ball,” Smith said. “I’m trying to run as far and as fast as I can. It’s awesome making history like that. Hopefully I’ll beat it each week.”
The rookie’s production was a byproduct of recent hard work, and opportunities opening up for him in the game plan.
“Each day, each game, you just get more comfortable and get used to it. Kind of just knowing what to expect and how to play the game,” Smith said. “The coaches, they’re learning [about] me and what I can do well to help this team. The more they get to see me, the more I’m out there doing and the more I can help this team.
“The beginning of camp, it was a lot thrown at me. But I knew that coming in,” Smith added. “The more that I got comfortable getting reps with everything — just getting comfortable out there, really — I could go out and play faster. Once you can go out and play fast and be confident, the sky is the limit.”