If you're a football fan, you know Rob Gronkowski. You know who he is and what he's all about. He doesn't hide anything or shy away from the spotlight, and those are some of the traits which have propelled him to superstardom (that, and being arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history at just 26 years old). But surprisingly to many, Gronk is undervalued. Yes, the Patriots 6 foot 6, 265 pound, bull of a man has been undervalued, most notably in the MVP discussion. Gronkowski is the single most influential offensive player in the NFL, and is the #1 reason why his teammate Tom Brady is a top candidate in the MVP discussion. Without Gronk, the Patriots offence is a shell of itself, while with Gronk, they are arguably the most potent offence in the league, and it's not just about him running and catching.
The biggest thing that goes unnoticed with Gronk is just how much attention he commands every time he's on the field. Because defences know that if left in single coverage there's a 99.999999999% chance that the ball will be thrown in the direction of #87, they consistently have to double and even triple team him, giving the rest of the Patriots playmakers more open field to work with. This is why Gronk is so valuable and should get more recognition. By simply stepping on the field, Gronk opens up a multitude of options for the Pats. He can run block, pass block, draw double and triple teams, and obviously make highlight reel catches in practically every game he plays. He can also break tackles, and despite being 6'6" and 265 pounds, can outrun defensive backs as well.
All you need to do is look at the Patriots season last year as opposed to recent years when Gronk has been injured, and you'll see how valuable he truly is. Starting back to 2011, Gronk has endured a number of serious and even season-ending injuries. Last year when they finally had Gronk healthy for the stretch run of the regular season and the playoffs, he thrived, and was one of the main contributors in the Patriots winning the Super Bowl.
But two weeks ago, everything seemed to change. While playing Denver, Gronk went to turn and attempt to catch a pass that was thrown behind him, and in the process took a hard hit to his right knee from Darian Stewart of Denver. Gronk rolled on the field in agony, pounding his hand on the turf several times. The season for all intents and purposes, seemed lost to Patriots fans. The main concern this entire year was whether Gronk could sustain a full season of hits and make it to the playoffs unscathed, but alas, all seemed lost. But then, early Christmas for Pats Nation, as it came out that Gronk only suffered a bruised knee, and would not be lost for the year. But even in the 1 and a quarter games he missed, his absence was felt.
The Patriots eventually lost to the Broncos, and followed that up by losing 35-28 to the Philadelphia Eagles, and looked mediocre at best on offence without Gronkowski. The matchup's he created were now gone, and the Eagles were free to double cover Danny Amendola all game, which created woes for the entire Pats offence.
Flash forward a week, with Gronk making a surprise return to the lineup against the Houston Texans. Final stats for Gronk: 4 receptions for 87 yards plus a huge touchdown late in the 2nd quarter, and an eventual 27-6 Patriots win. He once again opened up room for Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell to have nice bounce back games, as his usual army of defenders gave much more room and flexibility for Tom Brady & co. to operate.
Look, I know that the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and that the MVP will almost always go to a quarterback, and while Cam Newton and Tom Brady are both having terrific seasons, I feel that Gronk deserves some love too. He doesn't even have to win, but he should at least be in the discussion. He's the straw that stirs the drink in New England, and for Pats fans everywhere, they just hope the straw doesn't break.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfiBIh9Hhlo (Gronk Highlights)
- Cameron
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