3:44 PM
Kyle has broken Atlanta Falcons records over the past couple of weeks. He became the first rookies in 60 years to top 1,000 yards in a game on Sunday.
On the 61-yard play, he caught a pass over the middle, turned upfield and ran past two defenders to set up a second-quarter touchdown. On the play, he became the Atlanta Falcons' all-time leading rookies receiver, breaking a decade-old record held by Julio Jones.
At the end of the first half, Pitts had 1,018 yards receiving, which was 58 yards shy of Mike Ditka's rookies record. The second tight end in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 yards was Pitts.
"I feel like I'm doing a lot fast," he said recently. "Arthur Smith is helping me along the way, and Matt and the people around him are just being able to keep achieving more goals to try and break different things."
At the start of the year, he thought reaching 1,000 yards might be difficult. He's been consistent through most of the season. He's had nine games of 50 yards or more receiving and three games of 100 yards or more. He has been targeted five or more times in all but one game this season.
He only has one touchdown this season, so he has only been asked about reaching the end zone. The 21-year-old has made a difference in Atlanta.
Tony Gonzalez had the most receiving yards in Falcons history from a tight end, but last week Pitts passed him for the most receiving yards from a tight end. He was the first rookies to play in the Pro Bowl since Jeremy Shockey.
It's all been part of a great first season for Pitts, who was the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.
Smith said that he was exactly who they thought he was. He's had a huge impact on games. The ball hasn't found his way.
"He's not even touching the surface."
