Gronk: It Was A Joke!

April 30th, 2020

Explains PlaybookGate.

So yesterday Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski found himself in hot water when the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio, unearthed a video where Gronk bragged he was going through the Bucs’ playbook “about four weeks ago,” well before he was obtained in a trade.

If true, this would have been a brazen violation of the NFL’s tampering rules since Gronk was still property of the Patriots, unless the Patriots gave permission.

And given that in the past few months Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians openly pined for Tom Brady at the combine — itself a form of tampering — and Brady got run out of a park for working out by one of Tampa mayor Jane Castor’s goons, and then followed up by walking into a total stranger’s house thinking it was Bucs offensive coach Byron Leftwich’s home (and the homeowner quickly cashing in by peddling his story to TMZ), it is easy to understand why the NFL has its antennae up for the Bucs.

Gronk took to Twitter late Wednesday night to explain his comment. In so many words, he said he was joking about the playbook.

And as you can see in the photo, Gronk has his arms wrapped around an unopened package he claims contains the Bucs’ Surface tablet which includes the Bucs’ playbook .

So this seems like this could be the end of the story. Until or unless NFL warden Roger Goodell’s henchmen come sniffing around (again).

(For those interested, in the video in question, Gronk’s high-quality arm candy admits she’s bummed that Gronk will never again wear the Patriots’ color rush uniforms.)

36 Responses to “Gronk: It Was A Joke!”

  1. LM Says:

    JoeWinstonFan has becaome the tabloids spewing nonsense & negativity during the best time to be a Bucs fan since Jon Gruden days. Joe can’t take his lord & savior America’s Joke Pro Groper Brainless Winston has became a career backup where he belongs because his play on the field.

    JoeWinstonFan thinks Jameis is the leading Passer in the league. QB’s that win division titles, take their teams to the playoffs & compete for championships are Leading Passers. Passing Leader throws the most yards during the season & doesn’t mean diddly crap when you’re always coming from behind. Jameis who’s 5 years in the league can’t read a defense & has become the most turnover prone QB in modern history.

  2. Howard Cosell Says:

    Joe!
    Did you guys see the new t-shirts?
    Google: “Brady-Gronk 2020 – Make the Bucs Great Again”

    Too freakin awesome!!
    Howard hasn’t been this positive since Gruden was announced as HC

  3. Howard Cosell Says:

    LM fan sounds like a sociopath

  4. LM Says:

    Hey Howard go listen to the Ira Kaufman podcast a few weeks back & listen to a true sociopath yell at Ira over Jameis being a Leading Passer.

  5. Joe Says:

    thinks Jameis is the leading Passer in the league.

    Don’t have to think. He was. Well-documented. You can check your sheet.

    Or are you suggesting Roger Goodell is cooking the record books?

  6. Jean Lafitte Says:

    I find it ironic that since this blog was started the Bucs have never made the playoffs.
    Negative Nancy’s over there at the TMZ wannabe’s called JBF headquarters.
    Why? …all the time? …are all you guys really that miserable? Three responses to this question. 1) If you think that, then you are the one who is negative and likes to focus on negative. 2) You’re having bad luck missing all the positive things written here. 3) You are so frustrated by this website yet you still come here every day? Odd. –Joe

  7. LM Says:

    proved my point yet again lol. Yelling at Ira for saying the same thing. Jameis is not a Leading Passer, Just like Ira said.

    Jameis lead the league is Passing yards. (The Passing Leader)

    Leading Passer & Passing Leader are TWO DIFFERENT Things.

    Leading Passer = Brady, Mahomes, Rogers, Wilson, Brees Etc. QB’s that compete for Championships.

  8. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    Yeah he lead the league in passing but at what cost. 30 interceptions, then again joe doesn’t think interceptions are a big deal and don’t matter he said it himself on a podcast a few months ago

    “Interceptions are to football what strikeouts are in baseball”

    This statement is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever read.

  9. ModHairKen Says:

    Jameis was the leading passer in the league. Most yards, and most interceptions. As a No. 1 pick, Jameis was a bust.

  10. Matt Says:

    Jameis definitely processes defense slowly or most of the time flat out just doesn’t care what the defense is and pre-determines who he’s going to throw the ball to and this is the absolute worst trait you could have as a QB. Not only does he turn the ball over at a historic pace to the likes of which we have never seen, he has zero humility or awareness of when to be humble and truly own his mistakes. I’ll say it again, the “check yo sheet…I’m ballin’” was one of the most childish, clueless rants any athlete has ever said on any stage. Steven A Smith said it perfectly (not a huge fan), in 2020 Jameis was the defensive player of the year.

    Again, if if if he can cut down on these bonehead mistakes he’ll be the most dangerous QB in the league but after 5 years you are who you are with an ego like that. But this pennies deal to be a 3rd stringer in New Orleans May just be the gut check he needs.

    I think Gronk knew he was coming the same day Brady decided he was coming and that was part of the deal. The Chargers made it seem like they had a chance to get Brady but they really never did, he was coming here all along and he just wanted to see if the Bucs organization was willing to work with his needs and suggesting. “Umm can I bring my GOAT TE friend Gronk?” “Tom if you have GOAT friends who want to come here you don’t need to ask just send em a playbook and we’ll work it out ok?” 😂

  11. Tompa Says:

    @tampabucsbro

    Wow is that for real? Did he really say that? That is pretty ridiculous.
    INT’s are nothing like a strike out in baseball. Not comparable in any way.

  12. westernbuc Says:

    Mike Florio, who always claims to be pro player, simultaneously uses his platform to go after teams for supposed tampering. No one outside of Florio cares about this. He’s suck a hack

  13. ClodHopper Says:

    “Hoping it’s all pictures and drawings”

    😂😂 This is going to be so fun!!

  14. tbbucs3 Says:

    “Passing Leader throws the most yards during the season & doesn’t mean diddly crap when you’re always coming from behind.”

    Why dont you ask Vernon Hargreaves about that? Or MJ Stewart. Maybe you find Tim Jennings number.

    Jameis haters LOVE to ignore the Bucs long history of pass defense struggles. Did yall haters gather at Chuckie Cheese to celebrate the meaningless #1 run defense stat?

  15. tbbucs3 Says:

    Inside the mind of a Bucs fan…..

    Yards….Yawn
    Points….whatever
    TDs……Meh

    Interceptions….THE WORLD IS ENDING!!!!!!!!!!

  16. JA Says:

    Joe–

    Too bad there are no physicians who can perform a procedure for a thicker skin. He/she could make a fortune by advertising on JBF and treating many of your posters.
    Some here take it as a personal affront when you say anything positive about our ex-QB. They simply can’t let it go. We all know he led the league in yards passing and threw the most interceptions. Something good-something bad–case closed.
    Haters– He doesn’t play here anymore. Time to move on and find someone else you’ve never met to loathe. Too bad you need that in order to make you feel better about own lot in life.

  17. Tbbucs3 Says:

    Spot on JA.

    Most reasonable football people understand Jameis did throw too many INTs last year but will recognize the great things that JW did with his production.

    The haters (who don’t seem to value TDs, points or the ability to move the FB) just flat out ignore all the great things that JW does and focus on 1 aspect of his game.

    Points and yards are an odd thing to not care about but Bucs fans!

  18. Kaptain Morgan Says:

    Some people aren’t happy unless they have something to complain about.

  19. Bucball2020 Says:

    Headline says-Gronk ,so why are talking ant the ex qb, always changing the narrative lol

  20. Youngbucs Says:

    Yup tbbucs3 the whole nfl are morons. You and I couple of others have it all figured out. Tell me what was the average without the tds scored by the defense? I believe our defense scored the most tds in a regular season in team history I could be wrong. Again I said regular season the Super Bowl team also had the playoffs. Yes we I know points matter how many point off turnovers????? That doesn’t matter right the d supposed to stop them every time?????? Because ever aspect of the team has to be perfect except at the QB position he can mediocre. But everybody else has to be 1st team all pro.

  21. Youngbucs Says:

    I mean you guys wanna praise false gods go ahead. But at least do better than a 3rd string QB😂raise your standards.

  22. SufferingSince76 Says:

    I thought this article was about Gronk.

  23. Youngbucs Says:

    This is what these cult followers do they whine on every article. While the leader Jameis1of1 is infecting everything saints now while still talking the inner workings at 1 buc. Go on the saints blogs he’s already there planting his seeds.

  24. Youngbucs Says:

    But that’s what Winston pays him for if you notice. Matter of fact he pop a little after Uber gate hit the fan to help change the perception of Winston. Another silly move by Winston and camp like many others just like him overpricing himself.

  25. Youngbucs Says:

    You wanna know why ndog new thing is saying Winston is more talented than Brees. Look no farther than 1of1 they don’t think for them selfs it’s psychological warfare.

  26. Youngbucs Says:

    And we can thank Winston and his camp for that I ya all right there to see for everyone.

  27. WillieG Says:

    Thanks LM. You saved me some typing. Now I can just say:

    “I wholeheartedly agree with LM!”

  28. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Wow.

    It amazes me how so many people here are so obsessed with a QB they didn’t care for…to the point of hijacking this comment section.

    And you people attacking Joe for being negative? Grow up! Joe was merely reporting the news. If he were negative, he would not have reported Gronks response.

    The simple truth is this: Gronk was stupid for making the joke.

    He is known as a major practical joker, and he needs to reign it in, at least a little. It has the potential of becoming a distraction. A bad one. Not this weekend incident, but his professionalism. We have a lot of young players.

    Be great. Be professional. Have some fun. But not to the point of becoming a distraction.

  29. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I like Winston. I think he WILL be great. Possibly in our division now.

    Replacing him with Tom Brady?

    It’s Tom Freaking Brady! Unless you have a top 3 QB, you make that move!

    Winston’s 30 picks were an abnormality. He normally has half that. But he’s gone. Move on! We have the best QB ever to play the game and you idiots are still obsessing over the QB who is no longer here.

    Ironic that you accuse Joe of being negative, yet steer these comments to a negative topic yourselves.

  30. Posey99 Says:

    The patriots had his rights but he was retired. Does that change how he can interact with teams if he was retired?

  31. Sorryjackchuckiesback Says:

    Anyone talking about Winston on a story that has nothing to do with him look petty!! … Yes Joe supported Winston for far too long but for some people Winston is an interesting guy!!…. I am happy Winston is gone!! Not for the number of picks he threw but because of the timing of his picks!!! Always always always when the game was on the line!!!… But this article had nothing to do with Winston and some are still bashing Joe about him!! Kind of stupid and petty….. But anyway, even if they don’t win this season and don’t make the playoffs and all that.. It’ll still be really fun to watch these guys!! They have that swagger and confidence and love of life that comes from WINNING!! 2 dudes who are most opposed to losing in the league just went to a team that is the most used to losing!!! One is going to rub off on the other!! It’ll be interesting to see which

  32. JoeFromSoFlo Says:

    A lot of Jameis hate for an article about an obvious rule violation (if true) maybe you guys should take your own advice and move on

  33. mark2001 Says:

    “Interceptions are to football what strikeouts are in baseball”

    I’d say missing open receivers are more like strikeouts.

    Interceptions are more like two out fielding errors, with runners on base.

    The only question is whether the damage hurts, or loses games.

  34. LM Says:

    JoeWinstonFan, I checked the sheet. 35 turnovers, 7 Pick 6’s & VIP to the 30/30 Club!!

  35. cgmaster27 Says:

    @LM I think its hysterical , that in an article that in no way shape or form brings up Jameis, you come spewing hatred for him and the site. Jameis isn’t here anymore dude, get a grip and move on. And if you don’t like the site, pretend you’re over the age of 5 and just don’t come here anymore.

  36. Vooloo Says:

    @cgmaster27 I don’t post here much but it is tiring how Joe goes about Winston after he is no longer a Buc just like he did McCoy. They are gone. Goodbye Felicia. I don’t care about you anymore. If people want to read up on Winston or McCoy, let them go to Saint or Cowboy fan sites not here.
    Joe LOVES McCoy and Winston. No, but when they say interesting things that tie to the Bucs, Joe is interested.–Joe
    So he is still following them and trying to make us follow them too. Did he care for follow up stories after Humphries signed with Tennessee? No. One report about him signing and that was it.
    Kwon? Only one about him signing with the 49ers. Joe certainly has written more than one about Kwon since he left. The archives are there for you. –Joe
    Did he even report when Martin signed with Oakland? Yes, multiple, again, the archives are there for all–Joe No because he was happy to get rid of him. This is stupidly biased reporting and I understand why this triggers some. I ignore those articles because I was never a fan of Winston. So you ignore the articles but they’re stupidly biased. Got it. –Joe I have so many FSU fans I have to watch every FSU game with them. I never saw that savior these people all see, but I can understand it being shoved down their throats on this site. Heck even now my FSU friends think he will still one day have more Super Bowl rings than Brady. Crazy.