New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is just one year removed of being a major threat in the passing game. As a second-year player, he took the NFL by storm. Recording 1,327 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, he was on top of the football world.
Nine years later, things are a bit different. Now 31, defensive coordinators reportedly don’t view Gronkowski as a threat anymore. In addition to what the tight end brings, defensive corners also don’t view the Brady-Gronk duo in the same way as they may have when the two were tearing up the league a decade ago.
Diana Russini of ESPN’s Get Up talked to defensive coordinators who still have doubts that the tight end can be a game-changer.
” … In terms of concern for him being a threat — from what I can gather in my conversations — it’s not a high priority,” Russini said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “They know that he’s vertical, he’s long. He’s going to run those seams.”
It will be interesting to see what the duo can do in Tampa Bay. They may be older, and they may have lost a step. However, the spark may still be there. If there’s one thing we’ve learned New England over the years in particular, it’s never to count a Tom Brady-led team out.
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