Rob Gronkowski Still Dangerous As NFL Old Man
June 21st, 2022
If you are like Joe, you are daily monitoring Camile Kostek’s Instagram account like the Zapruder film (not for obvious reasons) hoping the swimsuit model, TV star and girlfriend of Bucs foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski somehow drops a hint Gronk returns this season.
The Bucs need the old man by NFL tight end standards. And Gronk, 33, has often said his body is beaten down by 165 games of punishment dished out by NFL defenders. Joe gets that.
Still, Gronk is productive. Big time. Per Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, only four tight ends last year had more YAC (yards after caatch). And this is after Gronk missed five games with broken ribs and a punctured lung.
For a guy who allegedly has seen his better days, that’s fantastic.
Perhaps one way to lure Gronk back to the Bucs is if Todd Bowles promises to keep Gronk on a pitch count? That could help preserve his body. Not sure how much that would screw up the Bucs’ offense but damn, having Gronk some of the time is a whole lot better than having Gronk none of the time.
You almost wonder if Gronk doesn’t come back, would Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht swing a trade for a tight end or sign a veteran free agent. If Gronk does retire, you have Cam Brate (not much of a blocker), veteran Cody McElroy, who has one catch in three seasons, and two untested rookie tight ends, one of which is rehabbing after ankle surgery.
Without Gronk, the Bucs are paper-thin at tight end.
Most yards after catch — TE (2021 season)
1. Travis Kelce — 564
2. Mark Andrews — 458
3. George Kittle — 450
4. Dallas Goedert — 386
5. Rob Gronkowski — 350#Chiefs #Ravens #49ers #Eagles #Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/fBKzg8Bnod— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) April 19, 2022
June 21st, 2022 at 9:03 am
I know I’m probably just being an old man, but what’s with so many people sticking their tongue out for pictures? I don’t remember so many people doing it years ago.
June 21st, 2022 at 9:27 am
Gronk is the missing link. We are one player away from another Super Bowl contender and he knows it. With the increase in the salary cap and receivers pay around the league, Gronk may be looking to break the bank. He’s got us by the short hairs and we would be lucky if he would play for 10 mil this year.
June 21st, 2022 at 9:31 am
Everyone is goofing these days, Tim. My grandkids do the same.
Ok, Rob. Time to come home to One Buc Place.
June 21st, 2022 at 9:47 am
Curly Q Link.
The Missing Link.
June 21st, 2022 at 9:47 am
Just like TBBF’s daily cigar & single malt…..love my Gronk-a-day!!!
June 21st, 2022 at 9:50 am
Remember when Brady unretired? Gronk said he was probably going to come back but would take his time to torture Tom for revenge!
I expect him one more time.
BTW — Camille >>> Gisela
June 21st, 2022 at 9:56 am
Agreed. And there are a handful of other Bucs WAGs > Gisele.
June 21st, 2022 at 10:20 am
Gisselles bank account > .
June 21st, 2022 at 10:42 am
I looked at Camille and I’m sure my face looks just like Gronk’s.
June 21st, 2022 at 10:42 am
I would love to have Gronk back, and I believe it would obviously help the bucs super bowl contentions… But truthfully I think Gronk should retire for health reasons. He’s had 18 injuries document 14 of which were serious. Six were related to fractures and herniated vertebrae in his spine and lower back and in addition to those he bruised and punctured his lung last year.
Time to give that body a break, and live well while he can.
June 21st, 2022 at 11:56 am
Come back Gronk!!
Plllllllease!!
June 21st, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Bring back Camilla DeCeasar.
June 21st, 2022 at 1:10 pm
The idea of a pitch count for Gronk sounds nice, but it’s not a guarantee against injury. His biggest asset, is also his biggest weakness. To tackle him you must go at his thighs and knees, he’s too big to tackle high.
The Patriots all but banned the seam route in an attempt to keep him healthy. I love Gronk, he’s the greatest TE to ever play. He’s still very effective when healthy. I think the year off between NE and Tampa helped a ton.
Licht appears to be pinning all his hopes at the TE spot on Gronk, it’s very dangerous. If he doesn’t come back, or has a significant injury, licht will be forced to overpay for a lesser TE. He’ll be over a barrel.
June 21st, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Breaking News Gronk is retiring. What a career big fella. The best TE to ever play, and one of the most dominant pass catchers ever.
June 21st, 2022 at 2:31 pm
Gronk is retiring. I think it’s a good decision for him. The Bucs will miss him, and so will the NFL, but the dude is made of glass and has been for a long time.
June 21st, 2022 at 2:34 pm
He just retired check his IG
June 21st, 2022 at 2:43 pm
His body just can’t take it anymore. I think the rib/lung injury played a big part in his decision. Seeing him carted off the field again would be terrible. He gave you folks everything he had left in the tank. One of my favorite players of all time. Time to live life, without the pain, fear of injury, or dashed hopes. I’m sure he’s relieved
June 21st, 2022 at 3:07 pm
Damn! We need to trade for a good TE