New England Patriots Links 7/22/10 - TE Rob Gronkowski Expected To Contribute Right Away

by Marima on Jul 22, 2010 10:36 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

Rookie TE Rob Gronkowski runs through a drill at rookie mini-camp.

Rich Perillo profiles second-round draft pick TE Rob Gronkowski.

According to Belichick he is comfortable that Gronkowski is as talented as he was before he had health issues.

"I think you can see from his workout that he still has the same skills he had in 2008," Belichick said following Day 2 of the draft. "I don’t think that’s a question and our doctors feel comfortable with his rehab and where he’s at now."

Injury aside, what Gronkowski brings to New England is a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. The hulking tight end stands 6-6 and weighs 265 pounds and creates matchup problems for whoever is assigned to cover him.

In two years and only 22 games, Gronkowski caught more passes (75) for more yards (1,197) and had more touchdown catches (16) than any tight end in Wildcats history.

"He is a mismatch in every way," said Arizona offensive coordinator Bill Bedenbaugh. "Cover him with a linebacker and he is just too fast. Cover him with a safety and he is just too big and physical. Very few people in our league could cover him at all and I believe he will have the same kind of success in the NFL.

" In spite of the flashy numbers in the receiving game, his coach thinks that his willingness to get dirty in the trenches is the thing that makes him special. "For the average fan this goes unnoticed, but Rob blocks better than any tight end I’ve seen," Bedenbaugh said. "In my opinion, the thing that makes him great is his ability to block."

TEAM TALK

Andy Hart takes a look at the competition surrounding Brandon Meriweather at the safety position.
The New England Patriots announced today the signing of seventh-round draft choices DL Kade Weston and QB Zac Robinson.
2010 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee Sam "Bam" Cunningham to take part in The Hall at Patriot Place Speaker Series on August 11.
NFL.com fantasy football player rankings, as of July 20, 2010.
PFW in Progress - 7/20/10 Edition: A preview of training camp and discussion of a variety of offseason topics. (1:58:34 audio)

LOCAL LINKS

Ian Rapoport notes Pat Chung spent time visiting pediatric patients at Mass General Hospital yesterday.
Albert Breer discusses SI.com's list that has Vince Wilfork ranked as the 38th most well-compensated American athlete.
Tony Massarotti says Tom Brady won't hold out but thinks that he should.
Tom E. Curran breaks down New England's defensive line.
Jeff Howe notes Brandon Meriweather must improve his tackling to become a star safety for the Patriots.
Jeff Howe sees the Patriots' young linebacking corps giving Bill Belichick room for creativity in 2010.
Albert Breer notes the Patriots offensive front was the NFL's third best in 2009, according to analysis done by Pro Football Focus.
Albert Breer has his eye on other teams' situations that might affect the Patriots.
Albert Breer scouts the schedule: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Christopher Price offers a snapshot of the Patriots' rookies and their contract situations.
Jeff Howe sees Maroney, Taylor and Green-Ellis fighting for the same two roster spots.
Mike Reiss notes RB Laurence Maroney was a guest on 101 ESPN Radio in St. Louis on Wednesday, talking about football and charitable work in his home state.
Mike Reiss describes the Patriots' media guide and the cover that reflects the theme for that season.
Tom E. Curran talks about the Logan Mankins-Patriots standoff and the line shuffling that will have to take place if it doesn't get resolved soon. (1.22 min. video)
Kirk Minihane answers his WEEI reader mailbag and doesn't get why the folks aren't real pleased with his 10-6 prediction for the Patriots in 2010.
WEEI offers some highlights of Mike Florio's appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show.

NATIONAL NEWS

TIm Graham (ESPN) Does Buffalo have the best three RBs?
John Clayton (ESPN) What's next for Terrell Owens?
Ross Tucker (SI) Brett Favre doesn't deserve to be treated like a leader.
Mike Florio (Sporting News) Five quarterbacks who should be benched, and seven big-name players who should be cut.
Mark Francescutti and Barry Horn (The Dallas News) Former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson to be a contestant on 'Survivor: Nicaragua'.
Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Top positional battles to watch: Part I

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Comments

Maybe Mike Florio needs different sources

Something has changed with Tom Brady over the past few years. I keep hearing it from more and more people in the know, that he’s a different guy than he used to be. Some people think there’s a little bit of the Yoko Ono factor going on with his wife who makes $30 million a year, either telling him to try and get more money, or not play football at all and stay out in Los Angeles with her. That could be a factor in all of this. Brady has taken a more active role in the union, and what better way than to be a good soldier in the union, than to take a stand against what seems to be collusion on the part of the owners to try and squeeze the players as best they can.

My insurance company found several sources trying to convince us that our totaled 2001 Honda Odyssey was only worth $4,300. After too-many-hours spent searching online and “conversing” with the insurance rep, my husband came up with plenty more sources trying to convince them that it was worth $6,500 instead. We settled on $6,300.

My point is that each of Florio’s sources has a particular relationship with the Patriots, and is coming from a particular angle that none of us know about. Maybe they just don’t like Gisele, or had a better relationship with Bridget.

I do know by the sound of his quote on WEEI that he’s speculating wildly here. His words should carry no more weight than if he said, “my neighbor’s brother-in-law’s mechanic knows someone who’s mother had her car valet parked and the valet told them that Tom Brady didn’t smile at him this time when he brought his car around.” That must mean he’s changed!

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 22, 2010 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

what was the blue book value of the car?

Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life

by NinjaZX6R on Jul 22, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

NADA was $6,875

It was in good condition, a few minor dings, normal wear on a 9-year old van. We wanted around $63-65 hundred because it can’t be replaced for less than that.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 22, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

not bad for an 01 van

did you get a new car?

Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life

by NinjaZX6R on Jul 22, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

nah

the 19-year old totaled the van, the 17-year old gets his license next month and my daughter is a couple of years away from her permit. We decided used would be better – less pressure on keeping it nice. Plus those vans are great for moving the kids back and forth from college, or taking a whole group of them places.

We bought a 2003 Odyssey for 10,000 with only 50k miles. The Hondas keep their value, that’s for sure. The salvage guy told me even the old van will get shipped off somewhere, made drivable and used again.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 23, 2010 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions

watson, gronkowski, et al

Ben Watson was 6-5, >260, ran a 4.5 forty, was smart and of great character. But BB still couldn’t integrate him into the offense. I mean, on paper who would you rather have, Ben Watson or Rob Gronkowski? So good luck to RG but there’s no giving him – and moreover the Pats – the benefit of the doubt on how his roll will unfold.

by Frank469 on Jul 22, 2010 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Watson's listed as 6'3" and 255lbs

He was very good at vertical routes – TE posts and the like. Think the Bills game TDs in 2009. But he struggled at routes that had him running perpendicular to the throw – flats and the like. He’ll suit vertical passing schemes – I thought he’d be a fit at the Raiders or Eagles or Green Bay, personally.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 22, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

i just cant wait to see gronkowski

in the redzone just imagine 6-5 265 lined up at the 12 how could u stop him he is going to score a ton of tds .

by brady12mvp3 on Jul 22, 2010 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

Crumpler, Gronkowski, and Hernandez look impressive,

but I will remain cautiously optimistic about the TE’s contributions this coming season until I see the PATS use their TE consistently in the passing game. Welker’s possible absence in the first part of the season could be a blessing in disguise. O’Brien might actually create some plays for the TE position.

by couchpotato on Jul 22, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

last year was weird for the offense

obrien deserves some of the blame no doubt but not all of it. he was a rookie play caller josh mcdaniels had a season of growing pains in 06 before 07 which might have been pretty easy to guide that offense. but last years offense was lacking something to complement welker and moss whether it be a running game in one game or a 3rd wr or tight end in another. watson was a enigma in itself tools wise i think he has the most of ANY TIGHT END IN THE NFL size speed blocking heart intelligence he really has it all i dont know why he never put up better numbers in his pats career and as much as it will suck to see him do it somewhere else i really do wish him well in his career, he is sort of like mcginest to me i could never be mad at willie. with moss welker holt tate price there is only going to be so many balls to go around so i think gronks and hernandez and heck even crumpler better make good use of the ones thrown their ways. i think its going to be quality more then quanity with the plays the TE"s are going to. make.

by brady12mvp3 on Jul 22, 2010 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Why

does the best organization in the NFL rely on or settle for rookie play callers when Super Bowls are at stake???

I remain baffled by this. Since Weiss left [who was awesome!], they have stuck with this questionable, inside replacement approach.

Many people blame the O-line for the Super Bowl loss to the Giants whereas I think many of the issues stemmed from an inexperienced O-coordinator who was out coached and unable to make adjustments in the heat of the battle. Weiss, or anyone of his experience level, would have made the necessary adjustments with his play calling negating any significance of a last minute drive or individual heroics.

It’s no surprise how Denver’s season unfolded. Just like the ’07 season with the PATS, it merely took some time for D-coordinators to make adjustments to the Denver offense. Result … McDaniels, again, is out coached and fails miserably from game seven on.

by couchpotato on Jul 22, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

couchpotato great o cordinators

dont grow on trees ? other then weiss who do u think they should have gone after? almost all other coaches would have to learn the patriots offense and would essentially be a rookie all over again. the pats scored a lot of points last year gained a lot of yards last year the offense as a whole coaching and personal just had some kinks at bad times. i like the train from within and promote from within system. it wasnt all obriens fault last year there were many factors of the inconsistent offense.

by brady12mvp3 on Jul 22, 2010 9:33 PM EDT reply actions