Tag: Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski says Mac Jones ‘not respected’ in New England, should ‘ask for release’

Rob Gronkowski believes Mac Jones should ask for his release from New England and try his luck elsewhere.

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski believes quarterback Mac Jones is not respected in New England. He dropped this bombshell on Wednesday’s edition of “Up & Adams.”

Jones has had a difficult 2023 campaign. He has thrown for 2,031 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The quarterback has struggled so badly that he was benched during Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. He passed for 170 yards and an interception in that game, and the Patriots went on to lose 10-6.

It was yet another rough chapter in what was supposed to be a promising career. Jones was New England’s first-round pick in 2021 and was thought to be the next franchise quarterback. His career started off strong, as he led the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance in his rookie season.

However, things have started to take a downward turn, and the quarterback’s regression has been evident. Gronkowski believes the time has come for Jones to ask for his release

“If I was Mac Jones as well, he’s not respected in New England,” Gronkowski said. “Coach Belichick has played all these games with him. Bailey Zappe isn’t even close to being on Mac Jones’ level. You should never, ever sit Mac Jones.

“You tried it once, you tried it twice, it’s not working. Now, he’s doing it again. He won’t name a starting quarterback. He’s not respected there. I think Mac Jones should ultimately, even right now, should just go ask for his release. If you’re talking to me about what he should do, ask for his release.”

This would certainly be a major move for a team that ultimately wants to find stability at the quarterback position. There are also options in the 2024 NFL draft with Caleb Williams being one of them.

Time will tell what the Patriots do and if Jones is in their future plans moving forward.

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Rob Gronkowski knew Patriots would fall off when Tom Brady left

Rob Gronkowski shared some hard truths for the post-Tom Brady Patriots.

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski did not hold back when discussing the problems of his former team in a recent appearance on “Up & Adams.”

He was asked directly if he had the feeling that the team would go downhill without Tom Brady at quarterback. There was no sugar-coated response from the greatest tight end that ever lived.

“Yes, definitely, 100 percent,” said Gronkowski. “I definitely had that conscious feeling throughout my time there, and it has proven itself as well. There’s no doubt about that. Brady was the meat. He was the ringer in that organization—no doubt about it, from A to Z. From the way to represent yourself on the field to the way to represent yourself off the field, it just fit the mold for everyone else to fall in place. Without Tom, I saw that it was going to trickle down and not work anymore. He was the guy that was taking the pay cuts at the quarterback position as well. So it set the standard that no other player was going to get an absolute, absurd contract as well.

“And when things were tough, I mean Tom Brady always fought his way out of it. Now you just watch them, it’s like, things are getting tough and they’re just accepting it, ‘Oh, it’s alright. We’re going to lose. We don’t have that good of a team.’ It’s weird. Tom would have never accepted that. And we would be out on the practice field, not making any excuses, not throwing anyone under the bus. And that’s what’s going on now, I feel like people are throwing each other under the bus. They’re not clicking. That would have just never happened.”

Even for the most loyal Patriots fans, it’s hard to argue with Gronkowski’s points. Brady was the ultimate teammate in New England, and his leadership helped guide the franchise to six Super Bowl titles.

It’s the same leadership he used to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in his first year with the team in 2020.

The Patriots are an absolute mess right now. They are 2-8 on the season with the worst record in the entire AFC. Last Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts was some of the worst football the team has put on display in franchise history.

Now, coach Bill Belichick could be on the way out, and the team is likely headed towards a complete rebuild in 2024. This current version of the Patriots is nothing like the ones Brady led for nearly two decades.

Doing your job feels different with No. 12 under center.

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Rob Gronkowski skydives from 11,000 feet on FOX pregame show

Rob Gronkowski with an amazing stunt on FOX Sports NFL pregame show

Rob Gronkowski is willing to do anything, it seems. And after his act on Sunday’s FOX Sports “NFL Pregame Show,” no one will doubt him.

For Veterans Day, FOX Sports did its show from the Air Force Academy.

And the former great tight end took off and was part of a skydiving segment from 11,000 feet.

Gronkowski said he needed a nudge from his tandem partner before leaving the plane.

After three taps or so, Gronk was off and he safely landed.

Rob Gronkowski has theory about potential Patriots coaching shakeup

Could a coaching shakeup be on the horizon in New England? Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski had an interesting prediction.

Everyone is weighing in on potential changes for the New England Patriots, as the organization spirals downward. That includes former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Gronkowski appeared on the “Up and Adams” show last week and theorized about what might happen following the season. He speculated that offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien might be out of New England after this season.

That doesn’t seem like an outlandish theory, given that the organization may want to clean house. New England sits with a 2-7 record, and if the season ended today, they’d hold the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The offense has struggled, and they are coming off a 17-point effort against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

“I feel like Billy O’Brien might be out of there after this year. So if that’s the case, I think Josh McDaniels comes back as offensive coordinator in New England. That’s for sure,” said Gronkowski. “…I feel like [O’Brien’s] going to take an opportunity. He’s kind of a head coach guy, you know? I feel like he’s going to take an opportunity somewhere else.”

There could be drastic changes made if things do not improve in New England. O’Brien has plenty of coaching experience, and he could land on his feet quickly.

One has to wonder what changes will be made after the season, especially if things continue to trend in the wrong direction.

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Rob Gronkowski’s claim that Taylor Swift gets too much NFL airtime is overblown

Come on, Gronk. You’re wrong about this one.

C’mon, Gronk.

The narrative about there being too much Taylor Swift shown on NFL broadcasts when she’s at Kansas City Chiefs contests to watch Travis Kelce is tired, sexist and over the top.

She is not, as Rob Gronkowski told Kay Adams on Up & Adams, shown “every single play.” We already see enough of the player celebrations that the future Hall of Fame tight end wants to watch.

I’m with Adams. The insecurity among NFL fans is exactly what this is all about. We’ve written a ton about this, and you should click on these stories to be better informed about how you shouldn’t be bothered by the singer/songwriter being shown on broadcasts.

It’s just football! This is all fun!

Here’s the clip:

Rob Gronkowski poured cold water on a Bears QB controversy by rightfully roasting the Raiders

Rob Gronkowski doesn’t think Tyson Bagent will take Justin Fields’ job because the Raiders just stink.

Facing a seemingly impossible situation as a former Division II quarterback, Tyson Bagent did his job Sunday. (Even though, yes, he apparently couldn’t throw a Hail Mary). While filling in for an injured Justin Fields, Bagent completed 21-of-29 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown in a 30-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He even had direct support from Fields himself after throwing his first career NFL touchdown.

Given where the 2-5 Bears currently stand, the NFL on Fox panel discussed Bagent’s successful day. It wondered whether Chicago has a budding quarterback controversy as Fields heals from an injured thumb.

That is, except for Rob Gronkowski.

The future Hall of Fame tight end poured cold water on any inkling of a Chicago quarterback controversy by noting that the atrocious Raiders didn’t simply challenge Bagent enough to warrant him taking Fields’ job. He emphatically stated that Fields is the better player and that the Bears are just hoping to stay above water as he gets healthy again.

Honestly, Gronkowski couldn’t be more correct. The most famous active Bears player is usually the backup quarterback. But Bagent didn’t achieve nearly enough Sunday to warrant him still starting games over Fields once he’s 100 percent. (Never mind that Fields is only a couple of weeks removed from throwing eight touchdowns in a matter of days.)
Any Bagent success Sunday was obviously related more to the Raiders being awful, much to Hall of Famer Howie Long’s chagrin.

Giants’ Brian Daboll: ‘I wouldn’t read into’ Rob Gronkowski’s comments

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll says Rob Gronkowski’s recent tongue-in-cheek comments should be taken with a grain of salt.

NFL legend and four-time Super Bowl champion, Rob Gronkowski, is currently retired and it’s unlikely that changes any time soon. But earlier this month, he did suggest that if he were to unretire, it would only be for New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll.

“Brian Daboll wants me on his roster, I know it,” Gronk joked on Up & Adams. “Brian Daboll. He can’t get me out of retirement but he would have the best chance to get me out of retirement.”

Although Gronk was pretty clear that the chances of him returning are slim to none, he did like the idea of playing alongside Darren Waller.

“That would be pretty wild. I always believe that having two tight ends — it makes the defense have the most difficult times,” said Gronkowski. “If you have two tight ends, I think that could make the offense unstoppable. And it’s rare if you go back to my days when I had another tight end with me, it just makes the offense prolific, unstoppable, it gives you so many more options in the run game and the pass game and play action.”

On Monday morning, as the Giants returned to team facilities for the final week of training camp practice, Daboll was asked about Gronk and his recent comments.

Although Daboll is close with Gronk, he said the unretirement talk should be taken with a grain of salt.

“I’m close with Rob,” Daboll said. “I have a lot of respect and admiration. I coached him for four years. He’s a good friend. We’ve talked — I’m not saying we’ve talked about that but he’s a close friend.

“I coached him up for four years. He’s a very productive player for you and really a good person. We’re from the same town (but) I wouldn’t read too much into (his comments).”

Gronk is obviously not returning to play for Daboll but leave it up to the charismatic 34-year-old to stir things up and create a buzz with a few simple half-joking comments.

Then again, in the words of Jerry Reese, never say never.

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Rob Gronkowski: Brian Daboll has best chance to get me out of retirement

Rob Gronkowski in New York Giants Blue? The former tight end and future Hall of Fame teased about Brian Daboll pulling him out of retirement.

The New York Giants had a surprisingly successful year in 2022 under rookie head coach Brian Daboll.

Big Blue followed that up by making a big splash during the peak of free agency when they traded for tight end Darren Waller.

Former tight end Rob Gronkowski was a guest on Up & Adams hosted by Kay Adams and talked about the possibility of coming out of retirement. He was specifically asked what head coach has the best chance to lure Gronk out of retirement:

“Brian Daboll wants me on his roster, I know it,” Gronk joked. “Brian Daboll. He can’t get me out of retirement but he would have the best chance to get me out of retirement.”

Adams then asked about the possibility of Gronk and Waller together:

“That would be pretty wild. I always believe that having two tight ends; it makes the defense have the most difficult times,” said Gronkowski. “If you have two tight ends, I think that could make the offense unstoppable. And it’s rare if you go back to my days when I had another tight end with me, it just makes the offense prolific, unstoppable, it gives you so many more options in the run game and the pass game and play action.”

Gronkowski, of course, was on the New England Patriots when Aaron Hernandez was also in his prime.

Although it isn’t likely that he would return to the field, it is something that he gave Daboll the best chance to get him back. For what it’s worth, Gronkowski firmly believes his playing days are behind him:

“I love to pretend that I can still play. It makes me feel good. But no, I can’t – I’m washed up. But I just like to pretend.” Gronkowski told Adams.

As washed up as Gronkowski may be, it would be some story to see him in line up with Waller.

Many people believe the Giants already have an elite duo with Daniel Bellinger following an impressive rookie season. Bellinger showed up earlier this offseason looking like he put on some muscle for his sophomore season.

Adding Gronkowski would be exciting, but there is plenty to be excited about between Waller and Bellinger.

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Rob Gronkowski shares record prediction for Patriots’ 2023 season

Rob Gronkowski thinks the Patriots will finish with a winning record in 2023.

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski put in his record prediction for the New England Patriots in 2023. He has the team going 9-8 on the year.

Gronkowski believes the hallmark for this Patriots team will be its defense. This would make sense, given that the unit was ranked among the best in the NFL in 2022. Nearly their entire unit is returning from last season, along with the debuts of rookies Christian Gonzalez, Keion White and Marte Mapu.

The pieces are there for New England to succeed, even with the hardest schedule in the league. There is no easing into the schedule either, as the team opens up with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 10.

Gronkowski appeared on the “Dan and Ninko Show”, co-hosted by his former teammate, Rob Ninkovich, and gave his thoughts on the 2023 Patriots.

“They got a good defense,” Gronkowski said, via NESN.com’s Tim Crowley. “Solid defense. I don’t think they need to improve in that category. …I think they’re going to be about 9-8. Right around .500.”

An above .500 record would be an improvement after the Patriots finished with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs last season. It wouldn’t be the massive turnaround fans are hoping for, but it could be a step in the right direction.

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Donovan Smith praised Travis Kelce for his work with the Chiefs’ offensive line

Chiefs tackle Donovan Smith praised Travis Kelce for his work with the offensive line in comments made after Sunday’s practice session. | from: @EdEastonJr

Veteran presences in training camp are essential for younger players who are learning the Kansas City Chiefs’ game plans for the first time. The Chiefs signed offensive tackle Donovan Smith not only to fill a vacant spot in their starting lineup but to provide significant experience to an already-established unit that is improving each season.

Smith spoke with reporters following Sunday’s practice and showed significant appreciation for All-Pro teammate Travis Kelce’s extra work with the offensive line during workouts.

“I went from one hall of fame tight end to another hall of fame tight end,” Smith explained of his transition from the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s offense to Kansas City’s. “Gronk [Rob Gronkowski] used to come over and do [offensive] line drills, but it just shows you that, as a tight end, a lot of guys want to be finesse, just want to be a receiver or [something] like that.

“But to be able to have a guy who’s 10,11,12 years in, coming over with the [offensive] line to do drills, it just shows that [there is] more to it that you can do to get better and be the greatest that you can be. So to be able to have [Kelce] come over there, it’s cool. It gives us another break, extra bodies. You know, that’s good, but it just shows the work ethic and everything that needs to go into it to be the best.”

Smith was teammates with Gronkowski for two years in Tampa Bay, which included the Buccanneers championship title season when they beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Kelce has earned the respect of his offensive line for still participating in the drills, which has clearly created chemistry with the unit during Kansas City’s physically taxing training camp.

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