Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is among the offensive players Jared Goff trusts the most.
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00:00 John, as you know, Sam Laporta has grown into one of Jerry golf security blankets.
00:04 What do you make of the growth shown by Sam Laporta as the season has progressed with the
00:09 Lions? Yeah, Vito, real special season that Sam Laporta is putting together. You look at a player
00:16 that is playing a position that when rookies come in typically do not perform at the level that Sam
00:21 Laporta is performing at and it is historic type stuff. Each week you see the productivity numbers
00:28 having over 100 receiving yards being targeted quite often getting into the end zone. You realize
00:33 that Sam Laporta this season has an opportunity to set the single season yard record by a tight end
00:39 held by Mike Ditka. You realize that this season could be exceptional for Sam Laporta.
00:44 Against the Saints, he was a focal point of the offense. We've all seen, Vito, that Laporta has
00:50 chemistry with Jerry golf right from OTAs and mini camps and any opportunities that Laporta had early
00:57 on to work with Jerry golf was real fruitful. I think they developed chemistry and his work ethic
01:02 and training that he received collegiately at Iowa really has really showcased all throughout
01:08 his rookie season, Vito, really in the end. And also, too, look at the benefits that this young
01:14 player actually has playing for a head coach that played the position in Dan Campbell often getting
01:20 tips. His tight end coach, Steve Heiden, also a former player giving advice as well. So Sam Laporta,
01:28 I think with the work that he's done all throughout the year, really is a player that is quote-unquote
01:35 a Dan Campbell guy. Puts in the work, very humble, always wants to focus on the future and learns from
01:40 mistakes. And so you see a player that is really reaping the benefits, a player that Jared Goff
01:46 feels exceptionally comfortable with. Said postgame after the Lions defeated the Saints,
01:51 he's one of the players that he feels the most comfortable tossing the football to
01:54 in his career. And to have that happen over the course of 12 games is really remarkable when you
02:00 really think about it. And the opportunity that he has moving forward, Vito, it's going to be
02:06 exceptional to watch a player in his rookie season not only contribute now, but imagine what Laporta
02:13 is going to look like in the future as he develops, as he continues to learn blocking schemes,
02:18 understanding what defenses are doing. And the sky truly is the limit for a player that is
02:23 contributing to the Lions. And really, Vito, we're looking at a historic rookie season for a tight end
02:29 in Sam Laporta. John, thanks for all the insight.