Rob Gronkowski Changes The Locker Room
December 16th, 2020
It seems there is a critical reason Rob Gronkowski is a Buccaneer, one that has nothing to do with him being a Hall of Fame producer at the tight end position.
Bucs receiver Scotty Miller was with the team last year when America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, led the Bucs to their third consecutive losing season and their seventh consecutive start of 3-5 or worse.
Joe thinks those Bucs had a bad locker room, weighed down by too many guys infected with the pervasive stench of losing throughout The Lost Decade. Not even Bucco Bruce Arians was able to fumigate One Buc Palace successfully.
In comes Tom Brady and Gronk and things have changed markedly.
Miller hopped on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week and raved about how Gronk is such an impactful presence in the locker room.
And Joe found it highly interesting when Miller said it’s clear that the age-gap with Brady and his teammates is real, “but I think Gronk definitely keeps [Brady] young.”
Is Gronk a huge key to Brady’s historic football Fountain of Youth?
Miller added Gronk’s impact isn’t just on Brady.
“Gronk’s definitely a good character to have in the locker room. Gronk’s awesome,” Miller said. “He’s definitely the biggest character we got. Just a funny guy always dancing around the locker room, you know, doing all that sort of stuff. Really brings that energy every day, gives everyone one a positive vibe. … It’s awesome to come to work here every day.”
There’s a divide at JoeBucsFan world headquarters. One Joe doesn’t believe in leadership being a real difference-maker; the Joe typing here does.
In a season where players can’t have postgame celebrations, can’t hit the dance clubs, can’t play golf on their days off, can’t travel and are ordered to stay home before and after work, it sure feels extra important to have a guy like Gronk who makes the work day more fun and energizes teammates. And if Gronk is keeping Brady youthful with his attitude, antics and focus, then he’s worth a lot more than the $9 million or so the Bucs are paying him.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:44 am
Remember when El Buco Realisto would say that Gronk didn’t have the heart to play anymore on EVERY post? I think Miss Cleo from the Psychic Hotline got more predictions right.
December 16th, 2020 at 6:13 am
Lockerroom leadership is a carrot and stick: keep guys loose but focused, and drop the hammer when a player goes off the rails.
IMO, it is a critical component to success on Sundays.
Sometimes is one guy. Sometimes it’s several.
December 16th, 2020 at 6:35 am
In comes Tom Brady and and things have changed markedly
What a true pleasure it is to read a sentence not loaded with monikers….
And, you can tell the other Joe that….of course leadership matters….it always matters…..there is no negative…..either you are not affected by it or you are positively affected.
December 16th, 2020 at 6:37 am
In comes Tom Brady and Gronk and things have changed markedly
No monikers……I like this Joe…
December 16th, 2020 at 7:15 am
Ditto TBBF on the monikers. I’ve gotten to where I skip over all the adjectives. It was ‘cute’ the first time for each person, but quickly becomes tedious.
Gronk is a valuable addition for sure.
December 16th, 2020 at 7:35 am
Our old leader is a third string Q.B.. Big difference.
December 16th, 2020 at 8:20 am
In the NFL….real recognizes real.
December 16th, 2020 at 8:22 am
One joe doesn’t think a good atmosphere at work makes ppl want to work harder? Has he ever worked for anyone ever? If so, he needs to go back for a month and get a piece of humble pie.
A good leader or leaders absolutely makes the workplace better!
December 16th, 2020 at 8:30 am
Did you call Joe my n—-s???? Whaaat???? Ohhh monikers!!!! My bad!!!! Either way people get in a lil huffy puffy over those words!!!! 😅🤣😂😅🤣😂😅🤣
December 16th, 2020 at 8:45 am
Joe- you bringing Gronk back next year if you’re Jason Licht? I think you might have to.
December 16th, 2020 at 8:47 am
@ Hawk
It’s hard for me to just skip over the words…..it would be helpful if Joe put the name in bold….
Funny because when in school (decades ago) I was able to skip over words easily.
December 16th, 2020 at 9:05 am
Well said Joe
December 16th, 2020 at 10:15 am
Need to get out more, leadership is a thing in sports period.
December 16th, 2020 at 10:22 am
Leadership is one of the most important things. They all are professional athletes and therefore have skills, but it’s the mental part that’s most important, and leadership is a MAJOR part of that. They need to BELIEVE in themselves and they need to BELIEVE in their teammates. They need to care about each other’s success because that means team success.
December 16th, 2020 at 10:59 am
well said cobraboy
December 16th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
They haven’t even unleashed Gronk yet. Trust me they’re still holding him back. Guarantee first half of their first playoff game he gets unleashed for real.
December 16th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Tell the other Joe to stop writing for two weeks….and then give it up all together. Thank ya!
December 16th, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Wait someone actually believes leadership doesn’t impact the locker room?
What!?!?!
That’s gotta be one of the most ignorant things I’ve ever heard from someone who should know better.
December 16th, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Intangibles matter and good coaches work on those pieces of the picture puzzle as well as all of the others.
In BA and JL I trust!
December 16th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
So he’s playing the role of Chubbs in Happy Gilmore.
I wonder if he ever is playing that role, then goes over to JPP to borrow his fake hand as a prop.
December 16th, 2020 at 2:04 pm
We love Gronk. I avoided watching Tampa Bay over the past couple of years, because of the crushing losses. Now there is a New Hope. go bucks.
December 16th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
That’s what this team needs is some players with experience that can still play & help the rest of the team get over the hump, too! We all know Gronk & Brady can both still play. Hopefully we can keep them here for another couple of years. Brady wants to play another couple of years, too! Get another OL to replace Donovan Smith though.
December 16th, 2020 at 3:35 pm
I’d draft another OL (maybe two), another CB, another S, another DE, another DT & then depending on another QB WR & RB. This might be around the time to consider drafting a QB to put him with Brady & let him learn with him. Would do him good to learn from one of the best players to play sports overall.
December 16th, 2020 at 4:14 pm
Anyone that DOESN’T think chemistry & leadership important: watch the Ravens’ win over Browns Mon. night
December 16th, 2020 at 4:53 pm
The Joe who doesn’t believe leadership has an impact has most likely never been a leader and never had a great leader who wasn’t a coach, manager, editor, etc.
A great leader who is an “equal”, (like a teammate or coworker), is absolutely priceless. I know, because I’ve had great leaders. And I’ve been a great leader (or so I’ve been told by several coworkers).