MVP Rob Gronkowski?
December 7th, 2021
Important?
Surf social media and monitor NFL writers and analysts for major media outfits and you will find quite a bit of chatter claiming the league MVP will be or ought to be 17-game-loathing, salad-bar-hating, park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller coaster-scared, numbers-rules-peeved, helmet-tossing, football-punting, Bucs-Super-Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.
A strong case can be made for Brady. He’s absolutely lighting up defenses leading the defending champions to make another run at glory.
But Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com is looking at the award through a different prism.
He is starting to believe that the MVP is foot-rubbing, car-littering film guru Rob Gronkowski. Chadiha explained you only need to watch the Bucs offense to understand.
Without Gronk when he punctured a lungs and broke ribs in September, the Bucs offense was stuck in second gear, Chadiha points out. With Gronk, it gets into fourth gear.
… Wide receiver Chris Godwin had the monster stat line for Tampa in a 30-17 win over Atlanta on Sunday — with 15 receptions for 143 yards — but it was Gronkowski who changed the complexion of that game. Gronkowski had two huge touchdown receptions, both of which left the impression that he’s playing some of his best football in years.
… It was only two months ago that he was sidelined with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung, and he couldn’t finish a Halloween day game against New Orleans because of back spasms. The Buccaneers’ offense sputtered in that Saints defeat, and in a loss to the Washington Football Team the following game. Tampa Bay has been on fire ever since, winning three straight and averaging 32.7 points in the process.
Don’t think for a second that Gronkowski’s return isn’t factoring heavily in that turnaround. He’s produced 17 receptions for 252 yards and two touchdowns during this winning streak. He’s only played in seven games this season, and he’s logged 33 receptions for 436 yards and six touchdowns. If Gronk had been healthy for the entire year, he’d be on pace for 80 catches, 1,059 yards and 15 scores.
Joe thinks Chadiha is onto something,
However, Chadiha tries to make a point that the Bucs do not need furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing, fake-V-card flashing Antonio Brown. Joe cannot believe folks watch the Bucs offense without Brown and claim the Bucs don’t miss him.
This offense without Brown has suddenly turned into a medium-to-short-range passing attack. With Brown on the field, this offense is beyond lethal.
And even with the Bucs cornerbacks finally healthy again, the defense is looking too leaky for Joe’s liking. So it sure seems that points in January (and February) will be at a premium.
So, yes, the Bucs miss Brown and need Brown. Don’t fool yourself.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:04 am
Brady makes scoring in the red zone look easy. Appreciate this man. With Gronky Kong back, this offense is an unstoppable machine.
“Heaven’s to Murgatroyd”
December 7th, 2021 at 8:06 am
[Nothing like hijacking a post about Gronk being MVP with … the long snapper! LOL/smh — Joe]
December 7th, 2021 at 8:08 am
Agree that they need Brown. And maybe the D isn’t as bad as some (like me) think. They only allowed 10 points in the last game.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:22 am
Laughable at the idea that we don’t need AB. No one stepped up in his absence. Maybe Scotty can be that guy but I’ll believe it when I see it.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:24 am
No Gronk, No AB -> this offense is good.
With Gronk, No AB -> this offense is great.
With Gronk AND with AB, this offense is unstoppable.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:24 am
…I like unstoppable
December 7th, 2021 at 8:25 am
Yes, we need Brown, but I am scared we are going to cut him.
With Brown, we are beyond lethal.
One aspect of Gronk’s game is his blocking!
I think it was either Tony Romo or Troy Aikman who said we could be a power running team, if we wanted to.
Few tight ends in the NFL can seal the end like Gronk can.
Except the Patriots.
They looked very impressive last night against the Bills.
The Bills have real problems, stopping the run.
The Colts ran all over them, and so did the Patriots!
It is sure looking like the Patriots are the best team in the AFC.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:44 am
Stop it with the Scotty taking over for AB. They are 2 different receivers. Both are fast but AB is quick with lateral movement and burst. AB just knows how to get open underneath or outside.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:44 am
How amazing it would be if Gronk wins the MVP title?
It won’t happen, but it’s a valid point of view, the big dude is a freak of nature, we’re very fortunate to see him in pewter.
Regarding to AB, the Bucs really have to keep him. Since he took the jab, the 3-game suspension without payment is enough, imo.
Last year the Bucs defeated the Saints and the Packers without him and won the SB almost without him.
But, it’s silly to think that AB isn’t a major asset to this offense.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:48 am
I’am so impressed with The Gronk. He could have simply shut it down after the rib(s) shot…he has nothing left to prove. Instead…he may have saved the season and has definitely de-soured Mr. Brady a bit.
Those with faux outrage over AB…add Peter King to that list…are mostly Buc detractors if not haters…and simply want the Bucs weakened. Nothing more…
December 7th, 2021 at 8:50 am
Cannon- Spot on! We are a better team with them than without.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:58 am
It doesn’t take much sense to see Gronk’s positive influence on Brady, specifically, and our offense, generally on gameday.
However, I think more attention should be paid to his influence in practice and off the field in the locker room, weight room, etc.
He appears to be a tremendous leader in his own right.
December 7th, 2021 at 9:00 am
Cannon.. I couldn’t have said it better!!!! Sunday should be another good game!!! GO BUCS!
December 7th, 2021 at 9:05 am
Totally correct.
December 7th, 2021 at 9:06 am
Yup. Unlikely Gronk is MVP, but it would be pretty wild if that did happen.
December 7th, 2021 at 9:26 am
AB is essential to this offense. Anyone who doesn’t see this needs to get their head out of the sand. What happens if Evans. Godwin or Gronk go down ? Bucs need all hands on deck for the push. Brady’s 4 Horseman of the NFL Apocalypse are unstoppable when they’re on the field at the same time. Not to mention how well Lenny is playing.
December 7th, 2021 at 9:36 am
The MVP is a stat award. Gronk missed too many games. If Buccaneers win out, Brady will win it. Nobody has ever done what he is doing in his mid-40s. His main competition is Taylor and perhaps Kupp, though I can’t recall a wide receiver ever winning this award. If Taylor gets 2000 yards, he could win it provided the colts make the playoffs.
December 7th, 2021 at 9:51 am
Antonio Brown is this team’s WR1.
December 7th, 2021 at 11:43 am
“Gronky Kong.” That may be the best thing Medicated Pete has said on here. That’s hilarious, and perfect nickname
December 7th, 2021 at 11:54 am
I think Gronk opens up the offense waaaay more than Brown. He’s such a versatile player and constant mismatch. He can take on linemen, linebackers in the run game, he can’t be covered by a corner/safety or linebacker…if they drop back with him, Fournette is wide open for passes in the flat or Godwin/Evans are in one on one. Its really hard to manage our offense with him in there and I feel like we remain more balanced with him which helps us burn clock and keep our defense fresh.
December 7th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Jerry Rice was the MVP in 1987. Otherworldly WR.