Where do you rank Gronk all-time?
- Thread starter WuDatWuDat
- Start date
WOWShowing my age here...but I'm not sure he cracks my top 5...
In No order...
Kellen Winslow
Brent Jones
Keith Jackson
Jay Novecek
Tony Gonzalez
Special rep to Ben Coates.
He's really good with plenty of time left, but I never saw him as dominant as those guys...
Are you Stevie Wonder?
This was written Prior to the Super Bowl last season, add another All-Pro Season and a Little Championship to his legacy as well, oh did I mention he's only 26, hasn't even reached his peak yet.
Here's why Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in NFL history
Tight end A: 76 catches, 1,078 yards, 13 TDs, 14.2 yards per catch
Tight end B: 78 catches, 896 yards, 7 TDs, 11.4 yards per catch
The first set of numbers are Rob Gronkowski’s season averages, prorated to account for missed time due to injuries.
The second tight end is Tony Gonzalez, widely considered the best tight end in NFL history, and his prorated 16-game averages.
Maybe it’s time to start looking at Gronkowski in this way: Gonzalez had the greatest career for an NFL tight end (or perhaps Shannon Sharpe if you weigh Super Bowl rings in the conversation, and John Mackey is on the short list too), but Gronkowski is the best tight end ever at the peak of his ability.
Consider another stat: Gronkowski has played at least 10 games in four seasons, and has four seasons with double-digit touchdowns. Sharpe and Gonzalez combined for five double-digit touchdown seasons in their 31 years in the NFL.
There’s no comparison for Gronkowski, a huge 265-pounder and a superior athlete who has already set many records for tight ends. While many of the prolific receiving tight ends through NFL history were average blockers at best and disinterested in it at worst, Gronkowski is a devastating blocker. He’s the total package, and he won’t turn 26 until May.
“We’ve had tight ends with better hands, better athletes, bigger, faster, but not necessarily all of them,” said NFL Network’s Brian Billick, who coached Sharpe with the Baltimore Ravens. “He’s so different, so physically unique. Just an absolute beast. To have the size of … I don’t know what tight end you can compare him to, with the athleticism of a Shannon Sharpe. That’s pretty impressive.”
No tight end has impacted a team like Gronkowski has. The Patriots were 2-2 in September and written off by many. Then Gronkowski was able to ramp up his playing time, coming off ACL surgery, and everything changed. Gronkowski played 62 percent of the snaps in Week 4, then that jumped to 79 percent in Week 5 and he was practically a full-time player after that, according to Pro Football Focus’ playing time data. The Patriots are 12-2 since Gronkowski became himself again, and one of the two losses was Week 17 when Gronkowski was held out.
He had a legitimate argument as NFL MVP this season, and it might be the first time you can say that about a tight end.
“You don’t want to go through too many plays and realize he’s not the focal point,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said.
Here’s the issue with Gronkowski, and it’s why the chances are remote that he’ll ultimately be the consensus pick for greatest tight end ever: longevity.
Gonzalez had 17 stellar seasons, and sustained success is an important part of his résumé. Gronkowski has already had serious back, forearm and knee injuries, and with so many opponents targeting him low (good luck trying to bring him down by going high), it seems unlikely he’ll last as long as a Sharpe or Gonzalez.
It doesn’t seem to matter to Gronkowski how his legacy is perceived, as limited as one’s legacy can be after five NFL seasons anyway.
“I haven’t really thought about my place like that,” Gronkowski said. “I prepare myself every single week to be the best I can be that week … whatever happens from there happens from there.”
Maybe his fun-loving attitude and partying (the man’s most recognizable quote is “Yo soy fiesta,” after all) overshadows his greatness as a player, and he said on Wednesday that he thinks his hard work gets overlooked. But mostly he said he just looks at Brady as an example of how to stay focused and humble instead of worrying about things he can’t control, like how he is perceived as a player.
“I just like to come into work every day,” Gronkowski said when asked if he thinks about his place among the greatest tight ends ever. “I’m playing with Tom, who is the greatest QB, and he’s so humble about it. He just comes into work every single day and just works hard and doesn’t say anything about that. It’s cool to take footsteps after him, just coming into work, not worrying about anything outside.”
He has the single-season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end (only four players in the history of the NFL at any position rank above his 17 in 2011), and the most receiving yards in a single season by a tight end (1,327, also in 2011). He’s the only tight end in NFL history with four double-digit touchdown seasons. And this week, he has a chance too add a Super Bowl championship to his legacy.
By any measure, it’s hard to argue any tight end has been better in his prime. And it seems like he’s just getting started.
Only 26 and already Climbing up the Record Books...
NFL records
Here's why Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in NFL history
Here's why Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in NFL history
Tight end A: 76 catches, 1,078 yards, 13 TDs, 14.2 yards per catch
Tight end B: 78 catches, 896 yards, 7 TDs, 11.4 yards per catch
The first set of numbers are Rob Gronkowski’s season averages, prorated to account for missed time due to injuries.
The second tight end is Tony Gonzalez, widely considered the best tight end in NFL history, and his prorated 16-game averages.
Maybe it’s time to start looking at Gronkowski in this way: Gonzalez had the greatest career for an NFL tight end (or perhaps Shannon Sharpe if you weigh Super Bowl rings in the conversation, and John Mackey is on the short list too), but Gronkowski is the best tight end ever at the peak of his ability.
Consider another stat: Gronkowski has played at least 10 games in four seasons, and has four seasons with double-digit touchdowns. Sharpe and Gonzalez combined for five double-digit touchdown seasons in their 31 years in the NFL.
There’s no comparison for Gronkowski, a huge 265-pounder and a superior athlete who has already set many records for tight ends. While many of the prolific receiving tight ends through NFL history were average blockers at best and disinterested in it at worst, Gronkowski is a devastating blocker. He’s the total package, and he won’t turn 26 until May.
“We’ve had tight ends with better hands, better athletes, bigger, faster, but not necessarily all of them,” said NFL Network’s Brian Billick, who coached Sharpe with the Baltimore Ravens. “He’s so different, so physically unique. Just an absolute beast. To have the size of … I don’t know what tight end you can compare him to, with the athleticism of a Shannon Sharpe. That’s pretty impressive.”
No tight end has impacted a team like Gronkowski has. The Patriots were 2-2 in September and written off by many. Then Gronkowski was able to ramp up his playing time, coming off ACL surgery, and everything changed. Gronkowski played 62 percent of the snaps in Week 4, then that jumped to 79 percent in Week 5 and he was practically a full-time player after that, according to Pro Football Focus’ playing time data. The Patriots are 12-2 since Gronkowski became himself again, and one of the two losses was Week 17 when Gronkowski was held out.
He had a legitimate argument as NFL MVP this season, and it might be the first time you can say that about a tight end.
“You don’t want to go through too many plays and realize he’s not the focal point,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said.
Here’s the issue with Gronkowski, and it’s why the chances are remote that he’ll ultimately be the consensus pick for greatest tight end ever: longevity.
Gonzalez had 17 stellar seasons, and sustained success is an important part of his résumé. Gronkowski has already had serious back, forearm and knee injuries, and with so many opponents targeting him low (good luck trying to bring him down by going high), it seems unlikely he’ll last as long as a Sharpe or Gonzalez.
It doesn’t seem to matter to Gronkowski how his legacy is perceived, as limited as one’s legacy can be after five NFL seasons anyway.
“I haven’t really thought about my place like that,” Gronkowski said. “I prepare myself every single week to be the best I can be that week … whatever happens from there happens from there.”
Maybe his fun-loving attitude and partying (the man’s most recognizable quote is “Yo soy fiesta,” after all) overshadows his greatness as a player, and he said on Wednesday that he thinks his hard work gets overlooked. But mostly he said he just looks at Brady as an example of how to stay focused and humble instead of worrying about things he can’t control, like how he is perceived as a player.
“I just like to come into work every day,” Gronkowski said when asked if he thinks about his place among the greatest tight ends ever. “I’m playing with Tom, who is the greatest QB, and he’s so humble about it. He just comes into work every single day and just works hard and doesn’t say anything about that. It’s cool to take footsteps after him, just coming into work, not worrying about anything outside.”
He has the single-season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end (only four players in the history of the NFL at any position rank above his 17 in 2011), and the most receiving yards in a single season by a tight end (1,327, also in 2011). He’s the only tight end in NFL history with four double-digit touchdown seasons. And this week, he has a chance too add a Super Bowl championship to his legacy.
By any measure, it’s hard to argue any tight end has been better in his prime. And it seems like he’s just getting started.
Only 26 and already Climbing up the Record Books...
NFL records
- Youngest player with 3 touchdown receptions in a game: 21 years, 214 days (2010, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Youngest player with 3 touchdown receptions in a game, playoffs: 22 years, 275 days (2011 playoffs, vs. Denver Broncos)
- Most touchdown receptions by a tight end, season: 17 (2011)
- Most touchdowns by a tight end, season: 18 (2011)
- First tight end to lead the league in receiving touchdowns (2011)
- Most receiving yards by a tight end, season: 1,327 (2011)
- Most offensive touchdowns in first two seasons: 28 (Tied with Randy Moss)
- Seasons with 10+ touchdowns by a tight end, 5 (2010-2012,2014-2015)
- Consecutive seasons with 10+ touchdowns by a tight end, 3 (2010-2012)
- First tight end to have 3 seasons with 10+ touchdowns and 1,000+ receiving yards (2011, 2014-2015)[36]
- Most career postseason receiving touchdowns by a tight end: 8
Here's why Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in NFL history
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filial_piety
Banned
i guess you're an infant in all of this because if you haven't watched any of them play..then how would you know? ... I've seen them all play...i know his "stats" are better, but it doesn't tell the whole story IMO. Brent Jones is a better combo skill set but played on a team less dependent on his receiving skills.
Keith Jackson and Shannon Sharpe are the best receiving TEs I've ever seen while Jay Novacek is a better blocker than either one of them. And Gonzalez might be the best combo all around.
IMO Gronks stats are a bit over inflated due to the lack of receiving talent on the Pats. Compare him to the 49ers, the Cowboys or the Paxkers of those years and get back to me.
Peace!
Jay Novacek is under appreciated
Bruh, I've seen ALL of them play. I remember watching Keith Jackson playing on the Dolphins.
I fukking HATE the Patriots. But I respect Gronk and am able to recognize his greatness.
dude is a Touchdown machine. yards and receptions are one thing, but this dude just gets touchdowns.
To me that is what makes him great. Yardage...meh doens't mean so much to me. Its the touchdowns and plays he makes that are the difference. Dude is a problem from endzone to endzone. (like gonzalez)
Tight ends that can stretch the field and yet STILL be a dominant player in the endzone when the field is cut.
Rigby.
The #1 Rated Mixtape of all Time
Dude's the strongest brittle motherfukker I've ever seen
Agreed, but if he keeps it up, he's on his way to the GOAT.
That's fine to add that condition to it, but I'm convinced anyone not including that qualifier is biased or just wrong. This is like including Steph in the top 5 point guards of all time. Someone can't be GOAT at a position when there's that many people double his career production. He ain't even top 5 in TE yards or receptions...I didn't even bring Kellen Winslow Sr into the mix who is probably the one who started the whole TE as a WR thing.....and he has more yards than Gronk too.
Let's wait to see if he makes it to 30 with the same production before falling all over our chairs crowning dude because right now Tony is #1 for TEs in receiving, receptions, AND touchdowns.....and top 5 on those when you bring everyone into it. To say he ain't GOAT is just dumb. Him and Jerry are the only two you can't argue about. Saying someone is GOAT based on potential means they ain't the GOAT.
TheKang
Habitual, Line Steppa
Formerly known as...
Collector
He's top 3 TE easily to me.
As long as he is healthy, he will end up being the GOAT
Since you negged me like a retard explain to me how Gronk is the greatest of all time over Tony Gonzalez...or any of the tight ends I listed that have better career stats.....don't use that he had the best start bullshyt everyone else has been dropping. That's a retarded ass argument considering Odell Beckham has had the best handful of years that any WR has ever had in the history of the league, but you don't see people calling him the GOAT WR or even putting him anywhere near the top 10. Yet somehow y'all are throwing this cat to the top of the list based on potential and his fukking highlights.
Amare's Right Hook
Southeast World Champion
Not really
