After the Baltimore Ravens closed out the 2023 preseason with a 26-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore tight end Charlie Kolar shared why the preseason is valuable to him.
"There's a big part of earned confidence that's just doing it, just getting the reps," Kolar said. "I only played two games last year and so just getting the reps, like that's why I'm happy to get as many reps as I can in these camps because I need them."
Kolar caught four passes for 45 yards in the Ravens' loss to Tampa Bay, bringing his preseason total to eight receptions for 120 yards.
For players like star quarterback Lamar Jackson, the preseason doesn't matter all that much. However, for players like Kolar, the preseason is a chance to get valuable live reps against NFL-level talent and improve their game.
It also serves as a chance to make an impression, and is often the difference between making the 53-man roster or being on the practice squad.
Kolar turned heads during his collegiate career, making first-team All-Big 12 in three straight seasons at Iowa State. He was drafted by Baltimore in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but only played in two regular season games as a rookie. The preseason allows him to get valuable in-game experience that he may have missed during his rookie season.
"I haven't played that much football in the NFL because I didn't play last year," Kolar said. "So the reps this preseason are so valuable, I'm just trying to take advantage of them and keep getting better."
The next test for Kolar and the Ravens will come on Sep. 10 at 1 p.m., when they head on the road to face the Houston Texans for week 1 of the regular season.
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