Hall Of Fame Flashes On The Rise
October 25th, 2020
A month ago, future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski looked like a dude running through wet sand wearing flip-flops — when his quarterback expected him to have good footwear and a smooth trail.
Gronk laughed it off and talked about he’s a blocking tight end and dammit, you can’t stop him from blocking.
Things have changed drastically.
Gronk is still blocking, but now he’s showing flashes of his Hall of Fame self in the passing game. His hands are good. His routes are crisper. His running is more fluid. And his touchdown grab today was the kind of play that vaulted Gronk into the elite class of NFL tight ends.
The picture above is from the iconic JoeBucsFan.com photographer in Las Vegas today.
The Bucs found Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson in 1-on-1 coverage against Gronk. A mismatch. But Lawson played it well and was in position to make a play, potentially even find an interception in the end zone. But Gronk literally skied for the ball, reached out his giant wings and ripped the ball out of Lawson’s hand.
When Gronk is Gronk, he’s uncoverable. And Bucs fans are seeing more flashes of that Gronk. He’s got 10 catches on 16 targets of the last two games for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Joe doesn’t want to get too crazy and think Gronk can keep getting better and re-establish himself as a All-Pro, but Joe’s going to do it anyway. If the Bucs can get Gronk to the bye week in December healthy, Joe can only imagine what kind of manbeast he can be during the stretch run.
How amazing would it be for the Bucs to win the division and get Gronk a second bye week?
October 25th, 2020 at 9:00 pm
If the 2-4 Pats decide to throw in the towel and play for a high draft pick to get a new QB, I wonder if they cut Edelman? If they did, I wonder if Brady tries to bring him in as well. That would be something.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:01 pm
ROD MUNCH and NDONGY hold hands
October 25th, 2020 at 9:02 pm
Imagine if OJ was running those over the LB crossing routes
October 25th, 2020 at 9:02 pm
He looks better then the first few games, he is getting his legs back. Still u see him hop on his fumble? Thats smart mature ball playing we have been missing for years
October 25th, 2020 at 9:02 pm
BL IS WORKING MAGIC
GRONK rounding into form….
BL haters can sit in the tub with realist,ndog,Lamarcus and rod…..
GO BUCS
October 25th, 2020 at 9:05 pm
ROD MUNCH and NDONGY hold hands in a hot tub
October 25th, 2020 at 9:06 pm
Gronk
Brate
Evans
Godwin
Miller
Johnson
Watson
and soon
AB
Good luck with that.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Tanner Hudson baby!! Good play kid.
Gronk was goid too….haha
October 25th, 2020 at 9:12 pm
LVMYBUCS – It sure looked to me like that ball came out because he hit the ground, I don’t think that was a fumble at all, but still he got back on it quickly as you said. Also, I’d agree, he doesn’t look as heavy as he did early in the year and is getting a little more separation now. His timing with Brady has been improving as well (no idea what happened on the opening play) and you really get the feeling he’s still not at his peak yet.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:17 pm
I must admit, I questioned the value of the Gronk trade…..4th round pick & 10 million when we had OJ & Brate…..now we don’t have OJ & Gronk is contributing substantially…
Perhaps the same will happen with Antonio Brown,,,,,especially if Godwin or Evans go down….
The difference is……no draft pick for AB……and near vet minimum instead of $10 mil…..
October 25th, 2020 at 9:19 pm
@rod munch…
No.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:33 pm
I say this after we score 45 on a decent team. I really feel bad for the defense of the team we face when this offense fires on all cylinders.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:51 pm
I believe that Gronk had to focus on the blocking in the first few games because the OL has not been linked. Now, the OL is one of the best, so Gronk has more freedom to go up.
October 25th, 2020 at 10:00 pm
From76….next up…the poor NY Giants on Monday Night.
Oh boy…poor Giants.
Get yer popcorn ready for that one.
Go Bucs!!!
October 26th, 2020 at 8:25 am
Gronk, like Brady is on a new team with new terminology and plays. He had to think a lot in the first few games but now that he is comfortable with the new plays/terminology, he can play faster as it has become more natural.
October 26th, 2020 at 8:27 am
Nowhere the Gronk of his prime. Still lacks the great moves he used to have, but can still use his size, strength, and great hands to make some tough catches.
October 26th, 2020 at 9:37 am
Gronk started looking slow footed in the last few years yet he always got open and was tops in clutch situations..
I’m just happy to see him play again