“X” Marks Gronk
June 14th, 2020
Key offensive player?
Joe would argue that the critical factor to how well the Bucs do on offense will come from the running backs. Not everyone agrees.
Joe is very, very much in the Show Me phase when it comes to Bucs running backs. Outside of one season when then-offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was ordered to run the ball, the Bucs have had no threat of a running game for past six years.
The Bucs can pass the ball and pass really well, but Joe is dubious of the run game. If the Bucs can get good play from their backs — catching and running — Joe thinks this team will hum.
But Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report seems to think how Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski plays will be the determining factor for how well the offense performs. In other words, the Bucs’ X-factor.
… Gronk helped Brady win three of his six Lombardi Trophies and was one of the game’s most unstoppable pass-catchers when healthy.
However, Gronkowski has also been away from football for more than a year and will be splitting time with tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. There’s no guarantee he’ll have the major impact that the hype surrounding his addition might suggest.
If he does, however, watch out. Having one of Brady’s all-time most trusted targets as a fourth or fifth option on passing downs would be huge.
Here the thing: If Gronk flames out and is not able to physically handle the NFL any longer, it’s not like the Bucs don’t have any tight ends. Joe maintains Cam Brate and O.J. Howard are the best one-two punch at tight end in the NFL.
But to not use talented guys. or to try to turn one of them into a fullback. is surely not on the general manager and mostly isn’t on the player(s). That’s on the coaching staff.
Overall, Joe is not concerned, it’s hard to believe all three of those tight ends would go flat at the very same time.
June 14th, 2020 at 1:09 am
OJ has really never done a damned thing.
He looks good in his uniform but his hands suck and he likes tipping balls to the other team.
If he wants to break out, THIS is the year to do it.
Come on OJ, let’s see some of that hype turned into production man!!
June 14th, 2020 at 1:22 am
Picture it. You got Evans and Godwin heading out. Gronk ties up the LB in the slot and Rojo heads in front of Vaughn to pick off a lineman. Vaughn rips one off up the middle and TouchDown.
They didn’t anticipate that because the Buccaneers do not play like that.
THEY BOMB IT! EVERYONE KNOWS THAT!
Suddenly the Buccaneers have become “unfair”. Sure, all the DC and analysts have to downplay the Buccaneers, that is their job. They all have to show you why the blatantly obvious is not what you will get.
Trust me folks “PERFECT SEASON” NUMBER 1 Offense Number 1 Defense Super Bowl in Tampa Bay Buccaneers win. “PERFECT SEASON” Go Bucs!!!
June 14th, 2020 at 6:14 am
“ Joe maintains Cam Brate and O.J. Howard are the best one-two punch at tight end in the NFL.”
Based on WHAT exactly? You can’t say stats. You can’t say output.
Really it’s hope and praying draft position works out.
June 14th, 2020 at 6:40 am
i don’t think he’s guzzling a sponsored beer…
maybe pull the pic joe…
yowzers !
June 14th, 2020 at 7:00 am
We have arguably the best WR & TE group in the NFL……why worry so much about the RB corps……with the improved Oline….more experienced Rojo & Vaughn…..& Brady’s leadership…..they’ll be fine.
June 14th, 2020 at 7:17 am
@Tampabaybucfan
Here is why you should worry!!!!!!! They are not as concerned with handing the ball of and getting yards as much as pass protection and running precise passing routes!!!!!!!!! Something that the running back roster as struggled with!!!!!!!!! And if “they will be fine”, then why has ole stale biscuit already talked about acquiring free agent RB???????
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 14th, 2020 at 7:59 am
I’m with ya man, our running backs haven’t proven a damn thing. Zero hope on my part that the front office will do the right thing and bring in a proven vet, because they never ever do despite a glaring need. We will be left wringing our hands and hoping that Rojo or Vaughn can at least be average.
June 14th, 2020 at 8:06 am
“Can someone throw our $10 milly Karen Carpenter Anorexic 199 lb Tightend a sandwich?
Better yet, stab him a few times with Steroids?”
Kobe Faker
June 14th, 2020 at 8:58 am
Gronk needs several Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese meals and he needs to “supersize it.”
June 14th, 2020 at 9:07 am
What are you more afraid of?
Last season, our QB sat in the pocket looking for WRs downfield with no regard to open TEs short. When he did throw to them, they “under-performed”.
Teams could ignore the TEs.
Now, there’s a QB who will look to distribute the ball effectively. TEs WILL be thrown to. RBs will be thrown to. NOW, defenses will have to cover.
What happens when LBs are forced to honor TE routes? Play-action and open field for RBs.
Gronk is a force multiplier. By definition teams will HAVE to honor his capabilities. In doing so, it will make other opportunities available.
Is he “the answer”? No, the RBs will have to perform.
He is, however, a legitimate threat and a good blocker, more so than any other TE on the roster.
June 14th, 2020 at 10:51 am
Wow. Didnt think of that Joe
I like it. Put OJ back there at full back. Even as third down back on occasion.
Another blocker for brady that goes out into flat to catch a ball for a first down.
Plus he can run a 4.5
Genius
June 14th, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Gronk has seen his best days. How foolish to pay this clown to play perhaps a half season. Sure Brady will throw him a few passes. He has not completed an entire season since 2011. Check it out for yourselves. This Publicity stunt is not worth the money. You guys will see.
June 14th, 2020 at 3:59 pm
🙁 Joe thinks that’s a poor use of a first-round pick who has dangerous pass-rushing skills. Especially a guy who has not demonstrated he can block consistently.
If that’s how the Bucs want to use Howard, may as well trade him. Fullbacks are a dime a dozen. Besides, Arians hates fullbacks.
June 14th, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Gronk is smoke for the media. GOAT TE (?) come to teach OJ and dangerous in the red zone. Fine by me.