The Worst Of Gronk
December 20th, 2021
It’s somewhat comforting to know that the Bucs’ offensive struggles last night had a lot to do with one of the very worst games of Rob Gronkowski’s career.
In theory, that should never happen again.
The bruising, hulking, athletic and aggressive Gronk of the previous four games was nowhere to be found.
Gronk had 11 targets, the most he’s had since the 2018 postseason, and he caught just 2 balls for 29 yards, and it was a variety of Saints defenders frustrating him. But most notable was Gronk’s two bad drops (at least) on deep throws and a lack of fire compared to recent games.
Joe is going to hope and pray that it was just one of those days versus Gronk feeling some wear and tear.
It’s a little sad that on a day Gronk was struggling, it’s apparent the Bucs don’t really have other tight end options to lean on. Cameron Brate is obviously past his prime and O.J. Howard has transformed into a blocking tight end who has lost the confidence of the guys in charge of getting him the football.
Joe does expect Gronk to bounce back strong next week at Carolina. It’s beyond critical.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:17 am
I expect this team to repeat the 2008 demise with one exception — we’ll have one more game to lose versus 2008 to make this collapse even more comprehensive.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:18 am
How about pulling a Belichek — get all the Gronky and Tommy off the damn TV and Radio and maybe, if they focus on football — they might be able to win a game?
December 20th, 2021 at 12:20 am
Swampbuc the team literally 10-4. Talk about being glass half empty. We lost 3 of our best offensive players before the first half was over.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:20 am
More like the 2004 season… injuries injuries injuries.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:26 am
Mike D — have you ever counted how many the Saints lost? Injuries are what loser use to explain away a shiite show like that. The defense has been injured all year but making plays when needed. The offense tonight, when they had their heroes — SUCKED.
Arrogant gameplan, over-inflated sense of arrival. Have you been a Bucs fan for 18 months?
This is what you come to expect.
DId you watch the second half of the Bills game? There was no offensive injury, the offense simply sucked.
So for six consecutive quarters, this offense has scored THREE POINTS.
But go ahead and hug your PollyAnna doll. Yay! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Roses and cotton candy for you, open a bottle of honey abd pour it all over yourself! AYAAAAA!!!
December 20th, 2021 at 12:31 am
gronky dipped his hands in a bucket of egg nog and let it dry before the game…
thought it might be better than stick em…
he was wrong – played like he had santa hands and reindeer feet
December 20th, 2021 at 12:32 am
Swampbuc, go cheer for the Saints or Packers. You’d fit in better. It must be awful to be so miserable.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:36 am
Jenkins has always played Gronk well. He’s physical enough to disrupt Gronks game and savvy enough to get away with it. Gronk was targeted so often bc he quickly became the only trust worthy target. Saints knew that as well. He also looked tired. Probably not used to running so many down field routes.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:37 am
Go grab a dead “red tide” fish. Add a few of the dogs turds out in the yard. That alone with get the juices flowing and hurl until you finally stop. Mix those up in a blender
Thats what orlbucfan smells like. I mean real staink garbage
December 20th, 2021 at 12:38 am
ModHairKen — so like do you watch the games or do you just rub yourself while looking at pictures of Mark Dominik?
This offense — for six consecutive quarters — wouldn’t be able to outscore the Jaguars. But — YAY roses and cotton candy! I cheer for the team and I also watch football– in other words I understand what I am watching.
Blind Faith was a supergroup — they made one album and failed. Blind faith doesn’t work
So happy for you that you can go pleasure yourself after getting shut out at home by a crippled team minus their head coach — must be great for you every day! Kudos to you mad!!!
But, get a haircut. You need to be TradHairKen rather than Mod with your cheerleader mistyque.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:25 am
Cam Brate is not past his prime- that’s a ridiculous unwarranted reactionary statement Joe.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:35 am
gronk did look tired–hope he’s OK ..we will need him for playoffs..Our D played well–but TB12 sacked 4 times–pretty tough to run a pass offense-especially without ME,CG before halftime & Fourneete out in 3rd qtr…..
but -looks as if we could as #4 seed -we’ll be playing aints again ……
December 20th, 2021 at 1:55 am
Let’s not talk playoffs after being shut out at home by a 6-7 team that was without their head coach, starting QB ad two starting OTs.
This team is capable of losing our and missing the playoffs. Don’t tell me I’m not a fan for saying that — this is a reality check on the last SIX QUARTERS — AT HOME — of offensive football we have watched.
The Super Bowl hangover is still real, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more talented offense suck this much for six quarters in a row at home?
Where is the Jim Mora “playoffs” rant when you need it?
December 20th, 2021 at 2:22 am
Not sure what happened. Was at the game and just kept waiting for us to turn on the jets. The whole game the team looked disinterested. Nobody seemed to care like I did. I started to question why I even bother. The Saints….who dat? As I walk out the stadium in disbelief. Go Bucs!
December 20th, 2021 at 5:26 am
SwampBuc with the worst take of all time good lord chill the hell out man. It’s the Panthers and the Jets. They do not have anywhere close to the same defense as the Saints that still have a top 5 Defense in the league.
You know what players you listed? Offensive players, the Saints offense was gutter trash last night. Their defense was not and had a lot of it’s studs back that they didn’t have the past couple of weeks.
The Jets and Panthers defenses are ranked bottom half of the league, that is not the case with the Saints.
Have some logic in that brain of yours I mean geez lol.
December 20th, 2021 at 5:47 am
You all ever hear of any given Sunday? It happened before we even took the field and has been happening all season, good teams losing to bad or not so good teams. The Saints are our Achilles heel plain and simple. We had a feeling it was going to happen just not so badly. It’s done now get over it. We don’t play them anymore so onto Carolina. Regroup and take our anger out on the next 2 teams. Tampa Bay fans can be the worst
December 20th, 2021 at 6:54 am
F these pretenders. If that’s the best effort you’re going to give your fans then this is what we give to them….{middle finger}
December 20th, 2021 at 7:38 am
Joe may have a point on Brate,but it also may be how the Bucs and Brady use him. Brate has four games in which his air yards average dipped to 3.75 and below with two under 3.0
December 20th, 2021 at 8:10 am
Offensive struggles? Look squarely at the egomaniacs calling the plays and the one running them. Leftwich and Brady. The big headed duo have seen to it that the Bucs have not run the ball one time in the first quarter of the last two games. And we wonder why we’re struggling. That and our best offensive threat is always on the bench. Bench Leftwich not Rojo.
December 20th, 2021 at 8:17 am
I knew there would be nonstop blaming this morning. Well i’ll simplify things. If I had to pick one thing it would be our o-line. And N.O. didn’t even use a condom. And the defense had a pretty good game except for their weekly dropping interceptions. There are so many things to blame but it’s really disgusting to hear Tommy Boy’s name. He was lucky to get out with his life. Jordan put Smirf back into his High chair. But remember, it’s a loss. So don’t be jumping on Maxx Kellerman’s “he’s falling off a cliff” band wagon. “ON TO CINCINATTI”
December 20th, 2021 at 8:25 am
I turned it off when they kicked their 3rd FG. If they can’t score 1 point in 3 1/2 quarter, they are not going to score 10 points in 1/2 quarter. THE TAMPA BAY BUCS got an a^$ whooping last night. I want everyone to google “the bathroom scene” from the movie “LIAR LIAR” and that will sum it up best. But don’t get your panties in a bunch. That was the 3rd time in 21 years that Tom was ON A TEAM that got shutout
December 20th, 2021 at 8:39 am
Cappa’s worst game in 2 seasons. I am a Brady fan but the 3 & 2 check downs to the deep ball was not good. I am not 100% sure they were check downs or designed plays and at this point it didn’t matter. I think the Gronk one right in his bucket he lost in the lights. BA is 0-7 against Saints, what does that tell ya? Did Saints D do anything different than they always do? Nice job BL, he doesn’t know how to spell game plan. 10 straight passes, wow! Give Jags the 2 for 1 deal, BA & BL, someone has to drive the golf cart.
December 20th, 2021 at 9:04 am
Have to disagree with Joe on Brate. The dude is as reliable as they come. Don’t know why he isn’t targeted more. Doesn’t get nearly the separation he used to. Also is catching just 51 percent of his targets this season — down from 82 percent last year and averaging about two-thirds in his prior seasons. Not the same player.–Joe
December 20th, 2021 at 11:34 am
Brate sucks, he is guaranteed 2 drops a game.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:41 pm
Every time the camera took a close up of From, he looked confused… Weird eyes. I am a team fan. It a one player groupie. What happened? They looked scared to get tackled after so many injuries. I hope the guys that got injured are okay. I was heartbroken watching. I’m not giving Tom Brady a pass either.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Sorry. Close up of Gronk