Rob Gronkowski

I’ve been avoiding the internet like a plague all day, albeit a plague that I would desperately like to get a piece of. Writing about a super bowl that has already occurred but of which I don’t know the outcome is a bit like apologizing a couple minutes before unfurling a massive fart.

Continue reading "Previewing (Or Reviewing?) the Super Bowl"

f that’s what it takes to play 60 minutes.

Unfamiliar Faces: WR Wes Welker (injury) and TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez (both still in college) did not play the last time these teams met in the playoffs. Make Baltimore rue the day they heard their names.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: AFC Championship"

receptions, and 2011 because Brady eclipsed Dan Marino’s 27-year-old passing yards record and Rob Gronkowski shattered tight end records for receiving yards and touchdowns in a season.

In just two categories is there a big difference between seasons. Total points are 589 in 2007 to 513 in 2011. That is due to the TD passes being 50 to 39, respectively. Rushing TDs was almost identical, as the present day squad edged 2007, 18 to 17.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Divisionals"

1. Want more records? On TE Rob Gronkowski’s 16th TD reception, QB Tom Brady surpassed Dan Marino for second on the single season passing yards record. New Orleans’ Drew Brees broke the Marino’s record last week and put it out of Brady’s reach with 389 yards on Sunday. Gronkowski, though, set the record for single season receiving yards by a tight end with 1,327 yards. It was a tug of war between Gronk and the Saints’ Jimmy Graham all afternoon, but a late 22-yard reception by Gronkowski, after New Orleans’ game was over, was the difference. Gronkowski also extended the touchdown receptions by a tight end record, raising the bar to 17. Not to be left out is Bill Belichick with his fifth season with 13 or more wins.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 17"

TE Rob Gronkowski, already the owner of the NFL record for touchdowns in a season by a tight end, claimed New England’s receiving yards by a tight end record.

Extra Point: Eight Patriot

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New England’s tight ends would be tag team champions if they were pro wrestlers. Last week Rob Gronkowski had a career game while setting a single season record for touchdowns by a tight end. Because he drew so much attention Sunday, Hernandez was tagged to carry the offense. Hernandez responded with career highs in receptions (nine) and yards (129) and a touchdown. We expected a former University of Florida Gator to have a big game. Hernandez stole the show from Tebow this week.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 15"

Let me just add that one of them is the best tight end in the NFL. Rob Gronkowski was a beast, breaking tackles en route to career high in receiving yards in a game (160) and set a new standard for touchdowns in a season by a tight end. He broke the record with his 14th TD grab then extended it when QB Tom Brady quickly tossed a pass over a blitz to Gronk. The Big Gronkowski did the rest, breaking a LB Ryan Kerrigan tackle then racing to the endzone and to the arms of a waiting Pats fan to celebrate.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 14"

TE Rob Gronkowski scored three touchdowns, tying the record for touchdown receptions by a tight end in a season with 13. Gronk’s third TD was actually was a lateral though. History will have to wait at least a week for Gronkowski, but he did score his first rushing touchdown.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 13"

The centerpieces, TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, are arguably the best tight end duo in the NFL in just their second year.

Both arrived through the 2010 NFL Draft and quickly became impact players. Hernandez first turned heads with speed, a receiver’s quickness and surprising run after the catch ability. Then Gronkowski took over with his unparalleled size, making him a target all over the field, especially in the red zone.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

A couple pieces of history. TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are the first tight end duo to score at least five touchdowns each in two consecutive seasons. And the 37 points scored is the most points allowed at home for the Rex Ryan-led Jets.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 10"

Replays showed the ball crossed the goal line on a completion to TE Rob Gronkowski, but the officials weren’t alerted. Only if head coach Bill Belichick challenged the play would it be reviewed. If all scores can be automatically reviewed, scoring plays ruled incorrectly should get the same treatment.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 8"

Another player switched sides for the Pats. TE Rob Gronkowski was deep in the secondary as part of the Hail Mary coverage. Makes sense to have a 6-7 265 pound athlete boxing out the Cowboys’ tall receivers in the end zone. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 6"

n 2007.

New England’s offense is loaded this year with Welker, Deion Branch, and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. All Ochocinco has to do is fit in as a contributor and step up when asked.

Continue reading "Ochocinco Time Is Now"

While Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski were busy combining for 23 receptions for 326 yards, WR Deion Branch contributed zero catches. It was a concern after the preseason when Branch had zero receptions but he erased those concerns with solid performances in the first two games. But in a game the Patriots really needed him, with TE Aaron Hernandez out, Branch was targeted just three times.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 3"

r good.

A few things I’m looking for:

Close the Gates: All training camp long we heard TE Rob Gronkowski was unstoppable. Hopefully that trend doesn’t continue with S.D.’s Antonio Gates.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 2"

TE Rob Gronkowski, after a 42 reception and 10 touchdown rookie season, has just one catch. Chad Ochocinco came to New England via trade with high expectations but only has two receptions. WR Deion Branch doesn’t even have a reception.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Week 4"

rsquo; best shot is making it on special teams.

Only tight end Lee Smith can see the light behind Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. With Alge Crumpler released, the path is clear for Smith to assume the blocking TE duties.\This is only training camp, though. 90 players won’t make the final roster. Taking it slow is how head coach Bill Belichick wants to handle the rookies. He won’t play them without adequate preparation. With no mini camps or OTAs, they are far from ready in Belichick’s eyes.

Continue reading "Rookies in Waiting"

It began with the overhauling of the tight end position. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were drafted in the second and fourth round respectively. And Alge Crumpler replaced Chris Baker as the blocking TE.

Continue reading "Patriots On the Run in 2011 and Beyond"

As good as CB Devin McCourty, LBs Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham, TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, DLs Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love, and punter Zoltan Mesko were, there is a lot of room for improvement.

Continue reading "A Fueled Off-season"

ILB Brandon Spikes was still sharp until his four game suspension. As TE Rob Gronkowski’s involvement with the passing game increased, so did his production. And punter Zoltan Mesko’s consistency improved.

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r before the All-Rookie teams are announced.

For these All-Rookie teams, both Patriot tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, should be selected for the team.

I’m not asking to change Hernandez’s position from TE to WR just to fit him in. The idea is to update the selection process to accommodate offenses and defenses of today.

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ard back since Corey Dillon in 2004.

·         TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez assaulted two rookie tight end records. Hernandez owned th

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pikes wants to be a playmaker like they were. 

Just weeks into the preseason, I linked TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to past Patriots greats Ben Coates and Marv Cook by the numbers assigned to the rookies. It’s unknown if a message is being sent to Gronk (87) and Hernandez (85), but Spikes made it a personal and public challenge to himself before taking a snap in a game. 

Continue reading "Spikes Becoming the Next "55""

Tight end Rob Gronkowski’s role expanded from red zone target to full time weapon, finishing with career highs in receptions (five), yards (72) and touchdowns in one game (three). Eight players caught at least one pass. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

A year later they used one of the Green Bay picks with a sixth round pick to move up and select TE Rob Gronkowski. 

The Packers also got a ’09 fifth round pick from the Pats and selected OT Jamon Meredith, who was cut from camp that summer. 

Continue reading "Which is Better for the Patriots?"

w things I’m looking for: 

Spread Offense: WRs Julian Edelman and Brandon Tate and TE Rob Gronkowski each had one catch last week. They need to be involved to develop a role on the team. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 3"

CB Devin McCourty and LB Brandon Spikes could be starters. TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez likely will surpass the contribution of the duo they are replacing, Benjamin Watson and Chris Baker. Zoltan Mesko is the new punter. And DL Brandon Deaderick made the active roster as a seventh round selection. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

It’s the most important preseason game – the dress rehearsal. The starters will play three quarters as the players and coaches prepared for the game as if it is a regular season game. 

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Thankfully the secondary has been solid so far. 

4. I’m sold on TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. They have different abilities that will compliment each other very well. Hernandez appears to have great run after the catch ability. Gronk doesn’t go down after first contact and will power his way for extra yards. Both showed soft hands on their touchdown receptions. Hernandez gets extra points for great body control and dragging his toes inbounds on his score. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game Two"

I want to see more of WRs Brandon Tate and Taylor Price and TEs Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski as a receiver. Gronk was good as a blocker with room for improvement. 

3. My favorite rookie wasn’t ILB Brandon Spikes, but P Zoltan Mesko. Three punts landed inside the 20 and the Saints gained just one punt return yard on two attempts. Mesko will tilt the field during the season if he keeps this up. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game 1"

B Tom Brady never had this much receiving talent at this position in his 10 years with New England. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez get to prove if they are worthy of the high praise they received from draft evaluators. 

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nds on the roster, the Patriots might sacrifice a wide out to keep veteran Alge Crumpler and rookie Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. 

With the available roster spots, the Patriots si

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But after selecting two tight ends in the 2010 Draft, Crumpler might not even make the team. Rob Gronkowski has all the tools to be great and has a shot to start as a second round pick. Aaron Hernandez was rated to go earlier than a fourth round pick and could be another draft theft if he works out. 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

Most of the rookies might already be in attendance, but training camp doesn't officially begin until the veterans show up on Thursday. In anticipation, I spoke with FootballOutsiders.com creator Aaron Schatz and got his take on what to look for during camp:

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e draft picks might bring to the table: 

CB Devin McCourty, Rutgers 

 

TE Rob Gronkowski, Arizona

 

DE/LB Jermaine Cunningham, Florida

 

Continue reading "See For Yourself Part 1"

They took two tight ends in Rob Gronkowski in the second and Aaron Hernandez, a steal in the fourth round. That’s one way to make up for the loss of WR Wes Welker. 

I got one wish granted on the third day. I will be able to say “No one messes with Zoltan” in honor of punter Zoltan Mesko. Hopefully I won’t owe Adam Sandler royalties for my rendition of Sandler’s movie. 

Continue reading "The Whole Draft"

fety at Syracuse when selected in ’98 that failed to convert to CB with the Pats. 

TE Rob Gronkowski, Arizona – They traded up for Gronkowski, like they did for Daniel Graham. He’s a huge target (6’6” 264) that missed last year with an injury but will be ready for 2010. His enthusiasm after getting drafted makes me optimistic. My only problem is I still haven’t figured out Stephen Gostkowski’s name. Now I have another lengthy something-something-ski name to teach myself. 

Continue reading "Quick Glance"