STEVE GROGAN: Russ Francis' hands 'might have been a little bit better' than Gronkows - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***buile*** · 11-02-2012, 04:07 PM

Gronk's the only fellow with a chance of replacing Russ as my favorite TE.

scout · 11-02-2012, 04:14 PM

We tend to forget how good past players were (not saying he was better then Gronk!). I keep remembering how the media was on Francis for taking his helmet off (he complained that it was not comfortable). Now, no one wears a helmet on the sideline.

***Horace's Ivories*** · 11-02-2012, 05:05 PM

I had a Russ Francis poster in my room growing up - he was my fav. - great player used in a very different time so I dont think you can stat compare - that said Gronk catches some pretty blistering & difficult Brady throws i dont recall Russ having to deal with from Grogan

***PittPatriot*** · 11-02-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

All Grogs said was that he thought Francis might have better hands than Gronk. He didn't say he was a better TE.

Exactly.
Grogs had (has?) a better arm than TB.
Grogs was faster and more athletic than TB.
Grogs was NOT a better QB than TB.

Also, I wonder if TB could tell us who is a better TE. He was able to watch Russ Francis as a young 49er fan…and he has first hand knowledge of Gronk!

***BananaRepublican*** · 11-02-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NG Pats Fan

Let's be realistic. Gronk's statistics blow Francis out of the water.

That is very short sighted since Francis did not play on a pass-first team, did not play with Tom Brady, and didn't play in the TE mad second millennium. Back then TEs were not utilized anything like today. I'm not sure who changed that - maybe Tony Gonzalez, I don't know, but it's different now. Russ Francis today? The sky is the limit.

***PittPatriot*** · 11-02-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRIOTSFANINPA

Francis had better hands but Gronk makes acrobatic catches that Russ never did

Russ was a world-class athlete. Check out his Wikipedia page:

Quote:

Francis qualified for The Superstars final and the World Superstars in 1980 and 1981, finishing second in the 1980 final and fourth in 1981. He won the football preliminary in 1981 and set a record of 23.91 seconds in the 50 yard swimming event. The record stood until 1986 when it was broken by Greg Louganis.[6]

Russ Francis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

***PittPatriot*** · 11-02-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BananaRepublican

That is very short sighted since Francis did not play on a pass-first team, did not play with Tom Brady, and didn't play in the TE mad second millennium. Back then TEs were not utilized anything like today. I'm not sure who changed that - maybe Tony Gonzalez, I don't know, but it's different now. Russ Francis today? The sky is the limit.

Great point. However, may be I recall Francis to be more awesome than "the experts" do. He didn't even make the top 10 as of 2 months ago:

Top 10 NFL tight ends of all time - Sports - The Boston Globe

BelizePats · 11-02-2012, 05:26 PM

Well I've seen both play and I have to disagree with Grogan.
Gronk has better hands.

DaBronxPats14 · 11-02-2012, 05:29 PM

I saw Francis play and now Gronk. Two great TEs in their own right. Grogan to Francis was so cool to watch as Brady to Gronk is now. I'm fortunate enough to see both combos.

***Jackson 2*** · 11-02-2012, 06:34 PM

I attended the first Pats game ever with my Dad in 1960. I've seen everyone. Russ Francis was great, and I don't use that term loosely. But, Steve Grogan is suffering from old timers' recollection on this one.