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