OT - Patriots, again- say it aint so Bill

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by wc1934

Say it ain't so Rob
(Is he the best tight end ever?)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/p...DOO/story.html

Interesting to read his thoughts about retirement. For someone not known for his introspection, Gronk was downright introspective when talking about the toll his injuries had taken on him. This is a guy who clearly is hopeful the damage he sustained on the gridiron will be manageable long-term.

Sobering. These guys deserve every penny they get. What a brutal sport.

And, in answer to your first question, I think Gronk is the Koufax of his sport: he burned brightly and briefly, and is the best there ever was.

[kppolich]

There have been better tight ends than Gronk, but I think Gronk was more important to his team than the others. Gronk is a spark, big play guy who made key plays that got his team to the next level season after season.

Tony Gonzalez was a great player, probably more sound than Gronk but never won a ring. HOF'er for sure, but didn't have the immediate impact that Gronk did.

Jason Witten was the same. Great player, functionally sound, blocked, caught passes, but again lacked the big play, game changing ability of a Gronk when the time came.

Jimmy Graham, athletic freak (6'7/265), won a lot with Drew Brees, but hasn't really done much at the tail end of his career and lacks the rings as well. I'm a packers fan, and it hurts.

Kudos to Gronk for living the dream and escaping with money in his pocket and some health left in the tank.

"Gronkowski hasn’t spent a penny of his contract money from last season. In fact, he says he hasn’t touched any of his career NFL earnings, including the six-year $54 million contract he signed in 2012."
Source:
http://money.com/money/5367980/rob-g...-nfl-contract/

[pinkshogun]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf6-QTRW2ak

[wc1934]

Pats tampering?
They signed Antonio Brown with in minutes of him being released and gave up nothing to get one of the game’s best receivers. They didn’t have to trade anyone or give up draft picks etc., nor did they pay the 30 mil that AB was supposed to get from the Raiders. WOW!

[djg21]

Originally Posted by wc1934

Pats tampering?
They signed Antonio Brown with in minutes of him being released and gave up nothing to get one of the game’s best receivers. They didn’t have to trade anyone or give up draft picks etc., nor did they pay the 30 mil that AB was supposed to get from the Raiders. WOW!

And they don’t need him. My prediction is that barring injury to Mahomes, this season will come down to the AFC championship game between the Pats and the Chiefs.

[commandcomm]

Don’t forget about the Cleveland Browns in the AFC.

[Matthew]

And the Lions in the NFC. Up to their old tricks again. Way to call a time out one second before a game clinching first down Matt Patricia. Between you and way overrated Jim Harbaugh it's going to be a great season here in Michigan for football.

[Bruce K]

I was wondering how long it would take before someone would claim tampering.

According to reliable NFL reporters (Adam Schefter and others), AB was upset the Steelers refused to trade him to New England last March. He never wanted to go to Oakland and considered it a losing program.

Allegedly he engineered his release from Oakland knowing the Patriots were still interested in signing him if he were a free agent albeit for less money than the contract he had.

All the off season BS was him trying to force his release (which he did).

One thing’s for sure, he had better put up and tone it WAY down or Bill will send his butt right on out of town. Especially after last night’s thrashing of the Steelers

BK

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

I was wondering how long it would take before someone would claim tampering.

According to reliable NFL reporters (Adam Schefter and others), AB was upset the Steelers refused to trade him to New England last March. He never wanted to go to Oakland and considered it a losing program.

Allegedly he engineered his release from Oakland knowing the Patriots were still interested in signing him if he were a free agent albeit for less money than the contract he had.

All the off season BS was him trying to force his release (which he did).

One thing’s for sure, he had better put up and tone it WAY down or Bill will send his butt right on out of town. Especially after last night’s thrashing of the Steelers

BK

I was kidding, as I am a Pats fan from Boston.
But there is talk of that especially as AB's agent is/was Gronk's agent.
Pats are just smarter or more clever than the rest.

[PNW]

Originally Posted by commandcomm

Don’t forget about the Cleveland Browns in the AFC.

Haha. The Browns are most definitely the same ol’ team...I love Kitchens but they were awful yesterday.

[Climb01742]

Should be fascinating to watch AB in New England. Which is stronger, personality or culture? Thing is, it’s 1000% in AB’s self-interest to behave, play well, get ring and get a big payday someplace else next year. This is 40% a football story and 60% a psychology story.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by Climb01742

Should be fascinating to watch AB in New England. Which is stronger, personality or culture? Thing is, it’s 1000% in AB’s self-interest to behave, play well, get ring and get a big payday someplace else next year. This is 40% a football story and 60% a psychology story.

Pats dont shy away from problem players - Aaron Hernandez, Corey Dillion, Chad 85, Randy Moss (23 TD"S), Lagarret Blount, Josh Gordon, etc..
But, they dont let "bad boys" control the culture. They take a gamble and if they dont work out they are shown the door. After all, it is only Kraft's money.

[Bruce K]

Contract has an option year.

If he plays well and behaves, he stays put.

After last night’s performance he might even realize they really don’t NEED him as much as want him. That feeling can change if he is too big a distraction.

It’s going to be a fun year if the core group stays healthy.

BK

[p nut]

Sigh....

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/i...elete-footage/

[72gmc]

They do like their “documentaries.” What reason do they have to stop? Aside from six rings.