Thanks For Waiting, Gronk!
June 22nd, 2022
Would Tom Brady have unretired to play for the Bucs if he knew Rob Gronkowski was going to quit?
It’s a great question whose answer might never really find its way to Bucs fans. But Joe is so happy Brady didn’t have to be put to that test.
Joe thinks it’s safe to say Brady didn’t know Gronk was retiring when he announced his return in mid-March.
Maybe Brady stays on the couch and heads to the broadcast booth without his tight end security blanket — the pass catcher he most trusts and a guy who delivered 55 catches, 802 yards and 6 touchdowns in just 12 regular-season games last season.
So because of that, Joe is so grateful that Gronk waited until yesterday to announce that he’s hanging it up — about 15 minutes before his agent said Gronk might re-join the Bucs in midseason. WTF!
In April, general manager Jason Licht wisely drafted a talented tight end with the first pick of the Round 4, Cade Otton, a guy one seasoned Pac-12 observer believes is a huge 2022 sleeper. And the Bucs grabbed a blocking tight end in Round 6, Ko Kieft, whose shot of making the roster just improved greatly.
Now the question is, how much film is Brady watching of the veteran free agent tight ends on the street, and which one does he like most? Or (see below) does Brady know something fans don’t?”
https://t.co/CyD9fgMbX6 pic.twitter.com/LzoNJy5KJv
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) June 21, 2022
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:08 am
Kieft was always going to make the roster. They traded up to get him because they saw a role for him on this team. They don’t have another TE that can block like Lil Ko Kieft.
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:49 am
Brady is out for Brady, so I doubt Gronk being here or not would effect his decision to retire or not.
Of course, Gronk is Brady’s long time buddy, and a talented tight end when healthy, so if Brady had his choice, he would much rather have Gronk here.
I honestly did not pay much attention to Cade Otten, until the article here on JBF said he was a real sleeper of a pick, so I watched some film on him.
You know what ? I think he is right! Cade is a very talented Kid, who just might be special one day.
But Ko Kieft is a flat out BEAST!
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:55 am
He’s earned the right to come back midseason, until then Brate is GREAT!
June 22nd, 2022 at 1:24 am
It doesn’t matter if he wants to come back midseason. You put a team on hold waiting for or assuming anything, no matter who it is. Reality is, he’s out, so he’s out. And right now, in what may be Brady’s final season, there is no starting caliber TE on the roster who is impact. Brate/Otton/Kieft is a backup crew, until they prove otherwise. There are no good TEs in free agency who can block anything,plus they’re coming off serious injuries. So you’re left with one of these receiving-only guys—Ebron, Cook, Rudolph—or pure bottom half of the roster names like Toilolo.
Brady must be feeling flashbacks to the bad days in NE with a depleted roster and major holes on both O and D, and coaches expecting him to perform miracles by himself again.
June 22nd, 2022 at 2:05 am
@Steele, I’m confused by these major holes on O and D. I see no holes on defense what do ever. This might end up being the best defense we have fielded. Also, if a Brate is our biggest hole on defense, then we’re in great shape, well against everyone except maybe the Rams. We’ll be just fine though.
June 22nd, 2022 at 2:31 am
I say, Joe number whatever, you are one ungrateful sack of pig excrement!
That battered SOB, Gronk, gave us every single drop of gas he had left in that tank of his.
I relish the memories.
Apparently you are ungrateful and disloyal.
You should retire and leave this to the grateful Joe.
I remember many great moments.
If he wants to return around Halloween I’ll celebrate.
If not, I’ll celebrate his tenure anyway.
Broken ribs, punctured lungs …. Gronk was great.
June 22nd, 2022 at 2:36 am
And I think he comes back in November.
June 22nd, 2022 at 2:48 am
Btw, Joe #0, would you have Brady retire cuz Gronk isn’t there?
Sans Gronk we still have a chance
Sans Brady, we do not.
I say ” Good” we have The GOAT.
You will be writing about ring number 8 in a few months.
Don’t be such a Karen..
June 22nd, 2022 at 3:15 am
Sorry I got so upset.
June 22nd, 2022 at 3:30 am
@steele
What are you talking about, depleted roster? You are acting like we don’t have Mike Evans and Russell Sage at WR and Leonard Fournette at running back. Godwin will return this year, so that gives him 3 capable WR. Rudolph is a good blocker, but not at great of a receiving TE, so he would be a good pickup to help the running game and short-yardage catches.
This roster is better than his last few years in NE. The only major holes on the roster are who will be the starting TE and backup MLB.
June 22nd, 2022 at 3:45 am
Lot’s of crazy talk so early in the morning. Personally, the Joe’s are saints. come down from the the heavens to bring forth news on my favorite team in a fun and entertaining way. Gronk is a massive loss if he doesn’t come back, but Licht did the right thing by grabbing some young dudes. We’ll see man.
June 22nd, 2022 at 4:44 am
To say gronk should have declined earlier so Brady wouldn’t have committed is just not excusable.
Brady is essential. Gronk is replaceable, but very well appreciated.
June 22nd, 2022 at 5:38 am
steele Says:
June 22nd, 2022 at 1:24 am
It doesn’t matter if he wants to come back midseason. You put a team on hold waiting for or assuming anything, no matter who it is. Reality is, he’s out, so he’s out. And right now, in what may be Brady’s final season, there is no starting caliber TE on the roster who is impact. Brate/Otton/Kieft is a backup crew, until they prove otherwise. There are no good TEs in free agency who can block anything,plus they’re coming off serious injuries. So you’re left with one of these receiving-only guys—Ebron, Cook, Rudolph—or pure bottom half of the roster names like Toilolo.
Brady must be feeling flashbacks to the bad days in NE with a depleted roster and major holes on both O and D, and coaches expecting him to perform miracles by himself again.
^^^^^^^^^
steele: I hope you were drunk and/or high when you wrote this. Sober up, it’s not that bad.
June 22nd, 2022 at 6:14 am
Check back in Gronk….i dont know, mid november? Stay in shape until then…
Save a little to the side Mr. Licht. He doesnt need the money, we all know he lives off of his endorsements…but still needs to be paid something….i dont know…half a seasons pay if hes willing to come back in good shape?
He’s Gronk, the one and only, just like TB12.
June 22nd, 2022 at 6:25 am
You can’t salvage your stupid rant, BucfanFred, so stop trying.
June 22nd, 2022 at 7:05 am
Julio jones is a pretty big dude. Could he put in 5 or so pounds? Was he a good blocking receiver? I dont follow so no clue
If he was decent blocker , make him a hybrid tight end / receiver role. Dude has sure hands. Lost speed with injuries for sure . And no longer a spring chicken. But why not at this point. A possession receiver / tight end w gronk out should be worth considering
June 22nd, 2022 at 7:06 am
Gronk being gone = 2 to 3 more losses than would’ve been.
June 22nd, 2022 at 7:12 am
If I were guessing, Gronk waited till the last minute due to some lingering ailment that is not healing – perhaps his back or knees. This would make sense that he could come out of retirement at mid season – that is if his ailment heals.
June 22nd, 2022 at 7:50 am
I don’t know, throughout his career refs turned the other cheek because of his size and talent leading to many injuries and last season 55 receptions for 802 yds in 12 games not to mention 5 fractured ribs and collapsed lung? If anyone on this site thinks that’s easily replaceable they’re living in a bubble. Tremendous loss to this team, he needs to come back in order to go for another SB.
June 22nd, 2022 at 8:14 am
The dudes banged up and probably wants to retire for good. But, I can’t imagine either Brady or Gronk solo at the hall of Fame ceremonies. If HoF is every five years and they are going to be inducted as team (in a manner of speaking), Gronk has to come back, in some form, this season. Is this right? If true, I think he will be back, in some capacity to complete their run together.
June 22nd, 2022 at 8:19 am
Glad my Gronk-a-day continues post retirement…….I think Brady had a good idea that Gronk was hesitant to play again….
And yes Keift would have made the team anyway…
The money for Gronk could go anywhere…even defense….I’m hoping for an edge rusher.
June 22nd, 2022 at 9:41 am
Remember, the NFL is in the business of entertainment. Also, Gronk was a professional wrestler so he loves drama. I believe that Gronk will play for the Bucs this season. *Russell Crowe voice* “Are you not entertained?”
I think a wildcard here is Gronk’s girlfriend. With Gronk out of the spotlight her acting & modeling gigs are going to dry up. She will start leaning on Gronk to get back in the game so she can get some attention.
June 22nd, 2022 at 11:36 am
As much as I love Gronk
He needs to step up or just retire
We dont need the whole will he wont he all efing season.
we need to grab rudolph and move forward
IT IS ALL OR NOTHING THIS YEAR
LFG
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:40 pm
It’s time for make America Brate again to step up.
He’s deffo shown he’s capable of doing so in the past.
Go Bucs!!! (We’ll be alright.)
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:49 pm
gronk isn’t coming back until after the rams game…
he doesn’t want them breaking his ribs again, at least not in the reg season…
after the germany trip, he will jump in the mix with the bye week in play
June 22nd, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Bird Says:
June 22nd, 2022 at 7:05 am
Julio jones is a pretty big dude. Could he put in 5 or so pounds? Was he a good blocking receiver?
Well for as great as Julio was back when, he was never a great red zone target. All those years and in the red zone, the Falcons could not get him TD’s.
For instance:
In 2017 in the red zone, he had 5 receptions in 18 attempts for a 27.78% completion ratio and 2 Td’s. That is a lot of attempts for 2 Td’s. One of those 5 completions was against the Bucs on a 3rd and 7 at the 19 where the Bucs blew the coverage. Julio was uncovered on a drag route and got 17 yards down to the 2.
June 22nd, 2022 at 2:35 pm
Who was that one tight end who kept making ridiculous catches in the preseason the last couple of years? Is he still around?
June 23rd, 2022 at 10:35 am
This is so Hollywood, so scripted. He is not fully retired. This is just to keep Buccaneers in the news. Tom did it and now Gronk is doing it. Gronk himself said Brady has to sweat it out to figure when I come back. You all know he said that. I see him coming back week one.
June 24th, 2022 at 12:31 am
My vote’s for: “Gronk’s back for a Super Bowl run.” And it probably will be.
In the mean time: Is Chris Hogan available? Bill Belichick would luv! that (not!).
June 25th, 2022 at 6:19 am
Forget Gronk coming back. Work with what you know you have. GOBUCS!
June 28th, 2022 at 11:05 pm
Steele – The BUCS have one of , if not the best and deepest rosters in the NFL !! I just don’t see where you are coming from ??