Gronk Value On Par With Aaron Donald’s?
June 16th, 2022
There was a serious yet somewhat bizarre segment on ESPN TV recently.
During a group chat last week, retired quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, one of the reasoned and mellow voices at the wacky network, calmly explained why he believes Rob Gronkowski may be the Bucs’ most valuable offensive weapon and is nearly as valuable to Tampa Bay as Aaron Donald is to the Rams.
Yeah, Hasselbeck went there. “I don’t think it’s to that level, but I think it’s close,” he said.
In addition to talking about Gronk’s value in the passing game, Hasselbeck talked about how critical Gronk and Chris Godwin are to the Bucs’ rushing attack. Hearing that would have made any Bucs fan say an extra prayer that Gronk returns this season. Hasselbeck seems to believe Gronk and Godwin are more vital to the roster than Mike Evans.
Also during the segment, former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich suggested Gronk will return after training camp. Joe only gave that a second listen because earlier this year Ninkovich said he on-air that he was hanging out at Gronk’s home in Tampa.
The 2021 line on Gronk was 55 catches, 802 yards and 6 touchdowns in just 12 regular season games. And he blocks. And he adds to Tom Brady’s comfort and confidence.
Joe can’t say he’s the Bucs’ Aaron Donald, but perhaps Gronk is more valuable than he appears.
Enjoy TODD BOWLES on the Ira Kaufman Podcast (Part II of III)
June 16th, 2022 at 9:36 am
Lol. Ok dude
June 16th, 2022 at 9:43 am
yeshhh, tommy b and robbie g in creamsicle for 2023 😉
June 16th, 2022 at 10:11 am
Gronk-a-day…..now comparing Gronk, a TE to Donald, Dline……amazing comparison……value?……….???
June 16th, 2022 at 10:27 am
Would really love to have him back. Break the bank.
June 16th, 2022 at 10:39 am
Not close, but Gronk is an absolute necessity.
Brady thrives with quality slot options. Without AB and Godwin, the offense stalled out late last season and into the playoffs. Now we’re looking at on offense without AB, Godwin, and possibly Gronk, all of whom are outstanding in the slot. All hopes are now pinned on Gronk returning, and Gage making that jump from WR3 to WR2 in the slot. Gage needs to get healthy, learn that playbook, and find time to work with Tommy Boy within the next 5 weeks.
June 16th, 2022 at 11:25 am
So what should be his 1 year contract offer? $20M???
June 16th, 2022 at 11:47 am
Aaron Donald?
3x DPOY
Ranked 1,2,3 Top 100 Players in the NFL the last 3 years (voted on by players)
3x National Press Player of the Year
June 16th, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Dont be selling Evan’s short on his value
June 16th, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Gronk will be essential to the newly installed 1-2 RBs (FB?), Play Action scheme which Brady thrived under in NE. Brady has wanted this needed dimension in Tampa but Arians would hear nothing of it. Ronald Jones up the middle on 1st and 2nd was all the Bucs needed according to Arians.
June 16th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
So much of the Brady Gronk connection, is pre-snap reads. They know what each other is thinking. Gronk might seem like a hammerhead, but he’s a very intelligent football player. He’s lost a step or two, but when healthy, he’s still very effective. Brady trusts him more than any reciever he’s ever played with.
Now the bad. He’s 33 and has taken a ton of abuse. His size makes it impossible to tackle him, without going low. You simply can’t count on him being healthy. I love Gronk. He’s the best TE to ever play. But, counting on him to play anything close to a full season, and be there when you need him most is playing with fire. I’d feel better if Licht bolstered the TE room, he didn’t. Unless you consider drafting a developmental TE bolstering.
Bucs TEs had 10 catches on 29 targets in parts of six games that Gronk missed. Even if Gronk does play something close to a full year, how much will be in the tank at the end? I don’t think he was close to 100% against the Rams and the numbers showed it. 4 catches on 10 targets with a pile of flat out drops. I’d love to be wrong, but I fear I’m right.
June 16th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
GOB … ‘I’d feel better if Licht bolstered the TE room, he didn’t. Unless you consider drafting a developmental TE bolstering.’
We did draft TWO TEs as you know GOB, and as rookies you’re probably right that they’re ‘developmental’. Personally I don’t expect a huge amount of blocking out of Cade Orton (almost the exact same size as Cam Brate), but I do expect that Ko Kieft will get a lot of time blocking (out of the backfield as well as a TE). If that takes some pressure off Gronk this season, fantastic. Gronk’s the kind of player you definitely want healthy for the playoffs.
June 16th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Defense anything that’ll lighten gronks load is a okay with me. You’re right, the blocking takes a tremendous toll on him also. I just think Licht should’ve signed a competent TE in free agency. I can’t think off the top who was available. You must agree defense, that counting on Gronk, without another seasoned TE, is incredibly risky.
Like I said, I hope I’m dead wrong, and he catches 70 balls this year. But, like I said, how much will be left in the tank come playoff time. Football players play, you can’t hide him from injury. Like the great Steve Young once said, “If you’re not playing a million miles per hour, that’s when you get hurt.” The Patriots tried in vein to protect him for the playoffs, except of course when he broke his arm blocking on a FGA. Still mad at Bill over that one.
June 16th, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Joe, this piece is a real stretch. You can’t compare players of different positions. That’s something desperate hot air sports mediots do when they have nothing else to talk about on a boring day.
June 16th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
Love me some Gronk. Hoping he plays this year…but only for the Bucs. Hoping he stays healthy this year. Hoping he’s an unstoppable MONSTER in the playoffs this year. Gronk is super valuable to the Bucs, at least in the top 5 of Bucs players that are critical for sustained excellence and for winning playoff games.
June 16th, 2022 at 7:51 pm
Tom Brady is our Aaron Donald.
June 17th, 2022 at 6:03 am
Just decide already and be done.
June 17th, 2022 at 9:53 am
In his prime yes he was a game changer probably more so than Donald. Both will go down as the best to ever play their positions. Today, I would trade any player but Brady for Donald.
June 18th, 2022 at 10:50 am
Donald is a straight up Beast. A much improved, quicker, and stronger version of Sapp. But like CJBuc says, Brady is our Donald. Gronk is great. No doubt. But I think Gronk is tired of getting hit. And he luvs to party.
June 18th, 2022 at 3:02 pm
Brady is the Bucs’ Donald… but Gronk is Brady’s Donald