Gronk Was Wowing Bucs Players In 2012
June 22nd, 2022
As Bucs fans slump their shoulders at the news of Rob Gronkowski’s retirement, one Tampa Bay fan, a former Bucs great, is remembering the greatness Gronk brought to Tampa — 10 years ago.
Six-time Bucs Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy was a guest host on SiriusXM NFL Radio last night and there he talked to co-host Alex Marvez how Gronk’s work ethic and work rate was legendary around the league very early in his career.
“We practiced against him in 2012 and 2013 and we couldn’t stop him,” McCoy reflected on Gronk. “We couldn’t stop him then. It was training camp. They came to Tampa in 2012; it was hot, extremely hot. They [could have] been practicing in New England, you would have never known because, I mean, he was going nonstop. He was going nonstop. He would drop a pass or make a mistake, you could see how much it bothered him. Granted, Brady was yelling at him (laughs) but you could see it still bothered him. He was just a joy to watch.”
McCoy and Gronk were members of the 2010 draft class and McCoy noted how Gronk’s energy at a rookie symposium was constantly electric.
Reflecting further on Gronk’s greatness, McCoy said Gronk easily could have been a successful tackle if he had chosen to add weight and make that move. That’s something McCoy said he can’t say about other great tight ends.
Enjoy the latest Ira Kaufman Podcast!
June 22nd, 2022 at 11:29 am
Gronk is the best TE in Football today.
He is also the greatest TE in NFL history.
I hope he hasnt really retired, because we cant replace him
Come on, big fella! One more year!
Go out with Brady. Thats how it should happen.
One more ring!!
June 22nd, 2022 at 11:36 am
We’ll leave the light on
June 22nd, 2022 at 11:41 am
First ballot HOF; the greatest and most complete TE in the history of the game.
Not many TEs make it to the Hall, Gronk is going to help change that.
June 22nd, 2022 at 11:53 am
Whenever I think of HOF TE, I think of Jackie Smith. Talk about a hard luck career; when he retired he led all TEs in career yardage, catches, TDs, everything, and he did it in the relative anonymity in St. Louis, which wasn’t (and still isn’t) a football town.
Then after retirement, he gets a call from Tom Landry, asking him to join the Cowboys. Dallas makes it all the way to the Super Bowl. Dallas behind a 7 points, late third quarter, Jackie Smith broke free and was wide-open in the end zone. His feet gave out from under him on a rather soft, easy-to-catch pass. Personally, I think he was so wide-open and the pass so soft, he thought about it rather than reacted to it. He dropped the pass, forcing Dallas to go for a FG. They lost by a few points; had he caught the ball they would have won.
Great career, but that’s how Jackie Smith is remembered.
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:05 pm
Geraldine – STFU. Eat some more PEDs, you’ll still be soft over the hill, a blowhard and a waste of talent.
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:06 pm
If he stays retired, he will likely be in the HOF one year before Brady
June 22nd, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Imagine if Gronk hadn’t had a series of devastating injuries, in the prime of his career. The TJ Ward hit, and the broken arm saga alone were bad enough. He was the most complete football player I’ve ever seen. What other TE could you spit out wide and throw a fade route to, and on the next play, block a 300 pound DT. The Patriots don’t win superbowl 49, or 53 without him. People bring up Travis Kelce a lot. He can’t hold gronks jock. Kelce is an overgrown WR, who can’t block his way out of a wet paper bag.
June 22nd, 2022 at 1:23 pm
I don’t disagree with stating Gronk was the best TE in NFL history but the one other guy that has to be in the equation is Tony Gonzalez.
Gronks best 10 years in a row (skipped retirement year)
579 receptions for 8740 yards and 82 TD’s.
Gonzalez best 10 years in a row:
907 receptions for 10818 yards and 78 TD’s.
I’d give the inline blocking to Gronk but Gonzalez was a plus blocker.
June 22nd, 2022 at 1:58 pm
geno, I hear you on Gonzalez, no doubt he was great. What separates it for me, is the playoffs. Gonzalez in 7 career post season games, never had a 100 yard, or multi TD game. Gronk was also the bigger touchdown threat. TG was never the quick strike weapon Gronk was. TG played a lot longer obviously, and deserves respect for that. But, if you’re picking a team right now, it’s Gronk every time, even with the high threat of injury.