Better Than Expected
December 30th, 2020
Bucs coach explains.
Whatever Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians expected from foot-rubbing, car-littering Rob Gronkowski, who retired after the 2018 season with his body too beaten up from years of football, well, let’s just say Arians wasn’t expecting this Gronk.
The 2020 season for the future Hall of Fame tight end, who started off very slowly and looked as if he should have stayed retired, methodically got better and better. Gronk is to the point that now he almost looks like the old Gronk football fans are used to.
Gronk has three touchdowns in the past three games. Half of his six catches the past three games have gone for touchdowns. That’s a damn good ratio.
And it has caught Arians by surprise.
“He’s exceeded my expectations, to tell you the truth,” Arians confessed today. “I think he’s gotten better and better. He’s really hitting his stride.
“Tom [Brady] and I were actually talking about it at practice today – [Gronk] ran an over-route and [Tom] was like, ‘Man, that looks like six [or] seven years ago.’
“[Gronk] really has taken great care of himself and really exceeded my expectations. [He] looks like he’s just starting, going into the playoffs.”
Joe already mentioned this on the ScuttleBucs podcast that will post this week: The Bucs, specifically Tom Brady, are hot as a firecracker. The only team more on fire might be the Buffalo Bills.
A team wants to be peaking as the playoffs begin and it seems the Bucs are doing just that. And what better for the Bucs than to have their future Hall of Fame tight end and one of Brady’s favorite targets peaking a week before the playoffs?
Good timing, Gronk.
December 30th, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Would be nice to get him for 1 more season.
December 30th, 2020 at 5:29 pm
Now let’s go out there and get a 5 game winning streak.
December 30th, 2020 at 5:36 pm
I’m happy for Gronk and us. Licht is gonna have some serious decisions to make after the season.
December 30th, 2020 at 5:42 pm
I honestly don’t think we need to worry about Gronk retiring – I believe he will be here for the next few years with Tommy and he’s loving the Tampa life. A gronk with his sea legs under him paired with a healthy OJ Howard is going to be so much fun. Winning the Super Bowl this year sure would be nice but man, I think next year this team and offense is going to be flat out scary good
December 30th, 2020 at 5:43 pm
I just can’t wait for a playoff game. I would love to make a little noise when we get there. I’m not sure if we are super bowl team yet. But Tom Brady struck a deal with the devil and every year it seemed like the chips always fell the Patriots way with upsets and such where they have to beat 2 average teams to get to playoffs. Like 2 or 3 years ago when they had to beat jaguars and titans to make it to super bowl. When those two teams were expected to be drafting in the top 12
December 30th, 2020 at 5:45 pm
So this year would be great if we face the nfc East and the bears and cardinals if they make it upset there opponent and we face the cardinals and bears at home. Then face the chiefs at home for the super bowl.
December 30th, 2020 at 5:48 pm
Whats crazy is gronk is kinda option 4 right now
Thats how good this offense is.
Never seen a guy come down with so many contested catches
December 30th, 2020 at 6:03 pm
Jeffbuc
Yeah then they might realize they might shut down Tyreek with the double team. Probably not till the second half though. Stick to the game plan.
December 30th, 2020 at 6:18 pm
That dude is true professional. A no doubt HOF TE…
Has been an asset in the run game. Still has a great catch radius & dependable hands to go get 50-50 balls, even at this stage of his career. Even if $10M was a little high.. It’s $10M/yr Tom likely could have extracted out of team Glazer to begin with. So, ”’\_(*+*)_/”’
At this point, you almost have to assume that if TB12 is all in on 2021…Gronk comes back too…But man, it hurts watching him run.
December 30th, 2020 at 7:12 pm
Man, call me a heterosexual, but when I look at that pic, all I see is Gronk’s chick and she is FINE!
December 30th, 2020 at 7:24 pm
The Packers are also on Fire. They dominated the Titans, easily.
Yes, we seem to be peaking, at the right time.
Gronk is just awesome, and seems to get even better in Playoff Games.
December 30th, 2020 at 8:09 pm
How many years did Gronk look more like a rusting robot, tho still good for a few spectacular plays a game, compared to the beast form he has regained this year? Maybe he’s not 26 again, but dang that year off and more sun has done him good!
December 30th, 2020 at 8:17 pm
Bucs players are awesome. I’m concerned Arians offense plays look old fashioned. Not inventive enough to keep defenses off balance. Lacking a reliable first down machine when deep ball is covered.
Need more and better play action, motion, misdirection passing to backs, and running game.
If they could coach up another notch, they could be truly scary.
December 30th, 2020 at 8:25 pm
He and O.J. would be insane together.
December 30th, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Best blocking tight end ever.
December 30th, 2020 at 9:52 pm
He still has a couple seasons in him
December 30th, 2020 at 10:04 pm
Go Bucs
December 31st, 2020 at 5:52 am
It’s a good thing Gronk found that “ cbd”
December 31st, 2020 at 7:47 am
Gronk already stated while in NE, Brady is his QB and barring injury will not play with anyone else. So keep TB12 upright and Bucs could keep the set. What is refreshing is that both Gronk & Brady are healthy, that has not been the case this time of year in the past. There is NO easy team come playoffs, look at Titans last year beating up on Baltimore and had KC on the ropes. If the O line and D backs hold up Bucs could go deep if not all the way.
December 31st, 2020 at 8:30 am
I have a serious feeling well be in the SB…its TB12 destiny…also yes we have to better on coaching and game planning….every game is diff…more motions…more run game…we had KC and Rams…and Bears beat for sure.. ad game management and play calling hurt those games especially against KC…should of ran the ball with 159 left and all we needed was a Field goal…to tie..especially since that would of left plenty of time for a field goal for PM to win…but were clicking and looking good right now keep it up on to ATL and #5 seed!!!! GO BUCS!!!!
December 31st, 2020 at 9:59 am
I don’t think that he ever looked like he wasn’t with it as article said in the beginning he might be a little slow but he’s like a tank and he’s got glue on his hands and his spirit can’t be beat and he’s part of what makes this team so special this year.. this is a dream team..win or lose I’ve never enjoyed watching watching the bucs so much.. I’ll always remember this year as being made so much better by watching the bucs play..
play
December 31st, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Gronk is the type of player that can/will make the big plays. And Brady knows where to throw it for him to make the big plays. Yes, Gronk is improving; looks like a winner, again. Of course, the team has a lot of great options on every play, and has increased its chances to be successful on every play. One more tune-up, and its tournament time.
January 1st, 2021 at 5:38 am
Hi Bucs, I came from virtual Gillette 🏟️, following the TB12 performance, then I learned Gronk is here as well. But now I’m diving deep in the Bucs fans world and really feel welcomed. Tks guys I hopefully we’ll cheering hard in the Superbowl.