Gronk: The Greatest

Gronk: The Greatest

    I’m going to make a bold claim. Rob Gronkowski is the greatest tight end of all time. This by default makes him one of the greatest players in league history. By now, this sentiment has become a mainstay around the NFL. Most would say, John Mackey, Ozzie Newsome or Tony Gonzalez in the past but Gronk’s obliterated that conversation.

    As brilliant as Rob Gronkowski is, he’s also one of the NFL’s most tragic figures. It’s easy for all of us to agree that he’s the best tight end ever but he’s also one of those guys with whom you ask “What if?” What if Rob Gronkowski had played his entire career healthy? What if he didn’t have the injuries he’d had? What if? What if? What if?

    I feel all of the NFL records for a tight end would belong to him. I feel New England would have one or two more Super Bowls. I feel like we’d see numbers put up at that position that shouldn’t be put up. I mean, 17 touchdowns in a season is great for any position but for a tight end, it’s unheard of. Just imagine what the TD totals would’ve looked like had Gronk not missed so much time.

   Much has been made of Jason Witten’s return to the Cowboys this year. I don’t know how long it’s going to last but the very fact that he’s even coming back is quite amazing. What’s even more amazing is that Gronk was still in High School when Witten joined the Cowboys but whereas Witten is still is good enough shape to play, it’s looking like Gronk’s career is coming to a premature end.

    In this regard, he joins the rare list of NBA players who had great careers but could’ve been better had it not been for injuries. I’m talking about athletes like Mario Lemieux, Larry Bird, and Sandy Koufax. Gronk surely belongs on that list of athletes who, despite their injuries, finished with terrific careers.

    When it comes to NFL players with this kind of career, the one that truly mirrors that of Gronkowski has to be Gale Sayers. By now, there are many who seem to forget just how great Sayers was but those who watched him will tell you he’s the best running back ever. Few have matched his 5.0 yards a career but we’re not talking about Gale Sayers as the best running back are we?

    With Gronk, there’s no debate. His career stats may not have the lofty totals of Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates or even the aforementioned Witten but none of those three ever led the NFL in touchdowns. No tight end did that until Gronk came along. Gronk has four 1,000 seasons, tied with the far more healthy Gonzalez and Witten for the league record.

    It’s like this. No other tight end has ever meshed the size, receiving skills and blocking ability quite as Gronk has. He has the footwork of a ballerina, the smarts of an on-field general and the work-ethic of a mule. If he’s benefited from playing under Belichick and Brady, those two have definitely benefited from having Rob Gronkowski on the Patriots.

     It’s possible he’s the most dominant and feared force to ever walk onto a football field. Most would claim Lawrence Taylor to be the most feared player in NFL history but ask defenders in this day and age which player gives them the most trouble, I bet most would say Gronk.

    How many times did we see him make an incredible catch while having defenders bounce off of him left and right? Vic Carucci once described Gronk as “uncoverable” while his strength on the field has been compared to the likes of Shaquille O’Neal or Wilt Chamberlain. Think about this for a moment. We’re comparing a tight end to the two most dominant centers in NBA history. These comparisons are very valid as well.

     At the same time, his receiving ability calls to mind the likes of Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson. Mixing Shaq and Randy Moss into a blender would create a freak of nature, which is exactly what Rob Gronkowski is. Even better is the fun personality he brings to the game. He’s not out there acting like hot-shit or being a diva. His celebrations are fun, and of course, come with that 600-force pound spike.

    The truth is, the NFL has never seen anything like Rob Gronkowski and while it remains to be seen if they ever will again, the likes of seeing someone as dominant at the Tight End position as Gronk is will be nearly impossible. Year and years from now, grandkids will be asking their grandparents to tell them stories of “Gronk”. I feel that as more time goes on, the more the myth of Rob Gronkowski will grow.

    As much as I dislike the Patriots, it will be a sad day when Rob Gronkowski retires. There’s nothing left for Gronk to prove to anyone. If he does retire, I believe no one will hold it against him. I can’t wait until the day he goes into the Hall of Fame. I don’t know what he’s going to do when that happens. Will Tom Brady or Bill Belichick induct him? Will he Gronk Slam the Hall of Fame jacket?

    I expect it to be a show because I expect nothing less from Gronk. I’m getting ahead of myself because Gronk is in the league right now but whereas before, I always thought greatness was something from the past, Rob Gronkowski’s career and the way it continues to unfold is a reminder that greatness is right before my eyes too. When I watch Rob Gronkowski, I know for a fact I’m watching the best tight end the NFL has ever seen.

Gronk, do your thing boy.

-By: Thomas P. Braun Jr.