BSPN: Bucs “Optimistic” Rob Gronkowski Returns
June 1st, 2022
The latest.
Say you don’t want Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul back without saying you don’t want Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul back.
You sign Akiem Hicks.
The Bucs did that yesterday, picking up the Bears’ former Pro Bowl defensive tackle. So it sure appears the door is now shut for any possible return of Suh or JPP. That leaves but but one big roster question — one asked countless times over the past couple of months.
What’s up with Gronk?
Dan Graziano of BSPN thinks he knows because he’s spoken with someone within One Buc Palace. Graziano took to the airwaves of a recent broadcast of “Stay in Bed” and relayed that the Bucs are “optimistic” foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski will return this season.
“Yeah, one bit of unfinished business with the Buccaneers,” Graziano began his report. “Waiting to find out whether Rob Gronkowski wants to come back and play. They are giving him the time to decide whether he wants to retire or whether he wants to come back and play.
“There is optimism that he will ultimately decide to come back and run it back with Tom Brady one more time. But as of now, he remains undecided. [The Bucs] continue to wait.”
Joe just has a hunch Gronk will pull a Michael Strahan. In the final year of his career, the Giants’ Hall of Fame pass rusher was sick of getting his body beaten up, like Gronk has said about the hits he takes. So Strahan blew off all spring workouts and training camp and the preseason.
He showed up back with the Giants on Aug. 31 and Strahan had nine sacks that year.
Like Strahan, Gronk really doesn’t need all of training camp, or even that worthless preseason. Does anyone really believe Gronk needs to develop chemistry with Tom Brady? But unlike Strahan back in 2007, Gronk doesn’t have his name on a contract.
For those wondering, searching for any morsel of a clue with regards to Rob Gronkowski’s future, his mural is still up on the stadium.
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) May 31, 2022
June 1st, 2022 at 6:07 am
Grin
June 1st, 2022 at 7:01 am
Ever hopeful.
June 1st, 2022 at 7:13 am
He is NOT going to leave the Bucs hanging this long to quit. When he retired as a Patriot he did it just prior to the draft and he wasn’t as fond of the organization as he is the Bucs. Plus Brady is his BFF, you think he would do that to him? He’s back, relax Bucs fans.
June 1st, 2022 at 7:16 am
“Gronk-a-day” not one single thing has changed since the first one.
June 1st, 2022 at 7:35 am
I wouldn’t rule out JPP or any other OLB as I am skeptical as to whether JTS is ready. I don’t think GMs are screaming, “Banko!” and betting big money on JPP. If JPP wants to play football, it will be for a rather steep discount.
June 1st, 2022 at 8:19 am
He is just trying to avoid training camp. He will be back.
Him and Camille make an awesome looking couple!
June 1st, 2022 at 9:37 am
Listnfrmarfa
I feel you. Think his retirement speech would of come out much earlier if there was optimism. They don’t put out factual information to analysts at OBP. The Hicks deal sounds like it frees up money from what they were going to pay Suh. Do those benefits have an influence on the $10M Hicks or is it just we took made a $10M against the cap.
June 1st, 2022 at 9:52 am
Gronk will not show up to game number 5 and that will depend on the Bucs record, 3 -1 he’s back 1 – 3, probably not, great to have options when you are great
June 1st, 2022 at 9:57 am
Gronk.
June 1st, 2022 at 10:18 am
He’ll be back
Lumbering and all
That was a vicious rib injury.
Google his history of injury and surgery.
Tough tough tough SOB !
He’ll be back
Lumbering and all
June 1st, 2022 at 10:21 am
He needs another ring for his left hand….
June 1st, 2022 at 10:43 am
Hey SB~LV – nice Haiku !
June 1st, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Listnfrmafar is correct.
Gronk is just enjoying his time off. He’ll be back.
June 1st, 2022 at 12:03 pm
Hicks signing has nothing to do with JPP, who wasn’t ever likely to return. They had already given his number away. They play different positions!
June 1st, 2022 at 12:06 pm
My man Gronk luvs a good party.
June 1st, 2022 at 12:51 pm
So if Brady retires from football after this year and it’s WIN NOW! Don’t see Gronk not wanting to celebrate on top of a Lombardi trophy before they retire.
June 1st, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Gronk will play, but expecting a ton of production is wishful thinking. He’s missed 14 games in two seasons with Tampa. That’s not exactly trustworthy. Even if he’s managed, it’s still no guarantee he’ll be healthy when you need him most. People forget, he sucked against the Rams. 4 catches on 10 targets, with a ton of drops. In the games gronk missed last year, Tampa TEs had 10 catches on 29 targets. Licht’s answer was, do nothing in FA, and a developmental TE I’m the draft. The bucs had better rely more on the run this year. If they don’t, they do so at their own peril.
June 1st, 2022 at 1:31 pm
SMH Up and Down
June 2nd, 2022 at 8:50 am
GOB, the guy fractured 5 ribs not to mention a punctured lung. This would be season ending for most TE’s in the league. So your expectations are he comes back from that at the same high level when he went out? Let’s not forget their fearless leader at the time BA, put him back in the game and that wasn’t enough he brought him back too soon. I guess BA figured if he can limp around with a bad knee Gronks should play with broken ribs and punctured lung. Nevertheless, prior to the injury wasn’t Gronk on the path of a 1000 yd season with who knows how many TD’s? GOB, Let’s not forget all Brady had for receivers in the Rams game was Evan’s and Gronk the rest other than Miller are practice squad players.
June 3rd, 2022 at 6:01 pm
Camille sure looks fun.