Old Gronk Returns

September 28th, 2020

One very cool thing that came out of the Bucs’ win yesterday was the old Gronk became the new Gronk.

A combination of his low numbers and a few plays where he appeared to lumber led many folks to drop the curtain on foot-rubbing Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski’s NFL career.

Despite NextGen stats showing he is as fast as he was years ago, he seemed to be, well, like a steak that was left on the grill too long. More than well done.

Even last week, Gronk said, just a few days after Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians said he won’t target tight ends all game, “I came here to block, baby.”

Well, Gronk went to Denver to block. And to catch. And he flashed like the old Gronk. The same Gronk that will someday be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gronk had six catches on seven targets against the Broncos. He totaled 48 yards. Not half bad for a tight end, especially one that folks had put out to stud like an old racehorse.

Joe is starting to conclude that Gronk was just really, really rusty from taking a year off. Many people had said this and Gronk seems to be confirming it with his play.

This is a good sign, as this trend suggests Gronk will get better and better through the season.

18 Responses to “Old Gronk Returns”

  1. lambchop Says:

    Duh. I’ve been saying this for a while.

  2. Christopher Schiefen Says:

    Plus he was slow his last couple years in NE. Who else remembers that play where he was the safety on the kickoff team (or whatever that play was where he was bumbling and gave up a TD).

  3. Is it true Says:

    Ahh Joe the Bucs played today not yesterday

  4. BucsDan Says:

    Should of had a TD as well, but he was overthrown while wide open in the end zone. He looked good yesterday and was moving well. Just need to dial up the plays, which we did for OJ as well.

    There were also Brate sightings, but he was definitely brought in to block on those particular plays.

  5. AlteredEgo Say: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:

    He had some spring in his step yesterday, so that was encouraging.. and so SWEET hands…. speaking of hands there are hands on this team that Belicheck would never tolerate this week in practice…. if TB throws you the ball you BETTER catch it !

  6. Topdoggie Says:

    I thought it was a waste of 10 million for sexy butt puppy. Shows what I know. Last time I call him that so dont flame me.

  7. ClodHopper Says:

    Does that wrestlers aren’t as athletic as they say?

  8. ocala Says:

    Gronk is a stud and will be a big part of this offense. Brate on the other hand only got to play a few garbage snaps at the end of the game.

  9. D-Rome Says:

    He looked great. I don’t expect that every weekend but now we all know he’s not slower, he still has it, and when the game is on the line he will still have what it takes to make a play.

  10. 813bucboi Says:

    BL IS WORKING MAGIC!!!!

    GO BUCS!!!!

  11. Dapostman Says:

    6 Catches for 48 yards?

    Gronk moved the chains. I suspect he will have a few of these games. Mostly he won’t.

    That is all.

  12. SOEbuc Says:

    One can only hope BA will continue to call more plays to get our TEs the ball after what OJ and Gronk showed. Another note. Don’t care if Tom had 115 QB rating. He needs to learn to throw the ball away when he doesn’t have any receivers. He’s getting time in the pocket when some practice squad DE isn’t running through $40 million Donovan Smith.

  13. SOEbuc Says:

    *He’s getting time in the pocket UNLESS some practice squad DE isn’t running through $40 million Donovan Smith.

    Haven’t had my Joe yet.

  14. Señor Harry in Costa Rica Says:

    Gronk, ME, Godwin and Miller, then sprinkle in some OJ and Lenny and you have the potential for a very, very scary offense. This is the Bucs?! Dang, I love it!!!!!!

    A few extra “!!” for Realist…

  15. Timothy Velasquez Says:

    Nice watching a game you dont get your heart broke last min.by an interception

  16. 813bucboi Says:

    SOEbuc Says:
    September 28th, 2020 at 8:59 am
    One can only hope BA will continue to call more plays to get our TEs the ball after what OJ and Gronk showed.

    dont you mean BL….

    BL calls the plays..

    give credit when credit is due!!!

    GO BUCS!!!!

  17. Bucamania Says:

    Good to see Gronk returning to form. ME13 needs to get on track. Sure he had a couple gimme TDs but that drop on 3rd down was brutal. Gonna need him to step up with Godwin out again. Tyler Johnson was in for a bit yesterday too.

  18. Chris Boyd Says:

    its still early. its good that at different times in different games we have been dominant at every level on offense. we closed out the carolina game with the run, and evans showed what he does when hes not double teamed. yesterday we showed what we can do with the tight ends. miller has run routes that shows brady still has plenty of arm strength. godwin is godwin. we’ve done reasonably well protecting. moral of this novel is that we have put on tape that we can succeed doing anything offensively, so d coordinators are going to have a tough time deciding what to take away in the coming weeks. i also expect us to get more fluid offensively, espcially come december and january when it will really matter. i love that we have basically choked out the opposing offense defensively, even in week 1 the d played really well, mostly. i cant wait for the gb game, to really see where our defense is. all in all, it hasnt been perfect, but there is some legitimate hope that we actually have the pieces that can compete for the super bowl! go bucs!!!