Moss '07-09 or Gronk right now: which player is/was more valuable to the offense?

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I've been saying for a while that I think Gronkowski is more valuable than Moss (yes, even Moss in '07!) because he improves the running game in addition to opening up the field with double teams. I also think he is more of an emotional leader on the field. I am curious, which player do you think is/was more instrumental to the Pats offense? If Gronk were to go down, how deep would this ship sink compared to if Moss had been injured?

This isn't to say Welker isn't as valuable as either one of them, but that's another discussion.

 

[Stilla]

Gronk will contest Randy's 23 TDs next year.
Gronk has 18 TD this year.

There were 6 games where Gronk did not record a TD, and i remember a few misses he had in the end zone.

Gronk will crush Randy's record at some point during his tenure.

 

[PatriotsReign]

When I was a kid, my buddies would ask me, "Who do you think is the most powerful, superman or mighty mouse?"

And I always told them you can't compare different species of animals. Which is my point in comparing Moss and the Gronk.

 

[Rob0729]

Gronk was more productive on Saturday night than any playoff game by Moss. I would go with him because Moss disapeared in the playoffs for the most part and that is when you need your big play guys the most.

 

[Rob0729]

When I was a kid, my buddies would ask me, "Who do you think is the most powerful, superman or mighty mouse?"

And I always told them you can't compare different species of animals. Which is my point in comparing Moss and the Gronk.

What the heck are you talking about?!? Everyone knows pound for pound, Might Mouse is more powerful. Superman gotta be about 200lbs while Might Mouse is only a few ounces. No contest.

 

[tobias funke]

I never thought I would see a skill player bring the kind of edge Randy did to the offense.

This is a completely different kind of edge, but at the end of the day, Gronk can contribute a lot more to the offense than Randy can. The days of "doubling Randy and coming down on Welker and we're done" are over. No more drive-killing low-percentage deep shots.

I'm really not trying to take anything away from Randy and how enjoyable it was to watch him play in his prime. But if I had to choose where I'd rather put $10 million a year at this point, it wouldn't even be a discussion.

I swear, the catch Gronk had in the corner of the end zone on Saturday may be the most athletic thing I've ever seen from someone that big. Even if he had eventually lost possession, it still would have been incredible how quickly he tipped and snagged the ball in mid-air.

 

[Stilla]

What the heck are you talking about?!? Everyone knows pound for pound, Might Mouse is more powerful. Superman gotta be about 200lbs while Might Mouse is only a few ounces. No contest.

Common, Stewie, (family guy,) created a time machine where he warped outside the space-time continuum, before the Big Bang. He then concludes that he is actually the creator of the universe.

The dude is a GOD.

 

[VrabelJr]

Gronk is more valuable to this offense. He blocks, he catches, and brings a great personality to the team. He's also more versatile than Randy.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I never thought I would see a skill player bring the kind of edge Randy did to the offense.

This is a completely different kind of edge, but at the end of the day, Gronk can contribute a lot more to the offense than Randy can. The days of "doubling Randy and coming down on Welker and we're done" are over. No more drive-killing low-percentage deep shots.

I'm really not trying to take anything away from Randy and how enjoyable it was to watch him play in his prime. But if I had to choose where I'd rather put $10 million a year at this point, it wouldn't even be a discussion.

I swear, the catch Gronk had in the corner of the end zone on Saturday may be the most athletic thing I've ever seen from someone that big. Even if he had eventually lost possession, it still would have been incredible how quickly he tipped and snagged the ball in mid-air.

I agree with every word you have said.

For the most part, I don't totally blame Randy for being shut out in the playoffs as it went like you said. Defenses made it a priority to take Moss away from Brady and they bracketed WW in the middle of the field 5-15 yards in.

As long as the Pats have WW AND AH, Gronk will put up the numbers.

The fact that hes only 22 is frightening- for everyone else.

 

[brdmaverick]

I am a HUGE fan of Moss. I typically very defensive when others like pronounce others as being "greater than Moss in his prime."

I, however, was thinking about this very thing the other day though.

Moss' obvious strength over Gronk are that he stretches the field and has the best set of hands in the league.

Gronk, however, makes up for these defeciencies through his strength. He is extremely versatlie in that he is not just a tight end by name, but really does do the blocking aspect well. In addition, but in the passing game you always get the sense that he is not going down on the first hit, or that he will at least 'fall forward' for that extra yard.

Gronk has been nothing short of unbelievable this year. He truly is indefensible.

 

[randomk1]

Bring in a young Moss from 2003 and see what happens.

Moss is the greatest weapon in NFL history.

 

[PatriotsReign]

Bring in a young Moss from 2003 and see what happens.

Moss is the greatest weapon in NFL history.

What would have happened is that we wouldn't have 3 super bowl championships....is that what you meant?

 

[jbb9s]

What would have happened is that we wouldn't have 3 super bowl championships....is that what you meant?

So with such a witty comment along with 17k posts, I am sure you can produce a bunch of your comments from Nov and Dec 2007 when Moss was on pace for 23 saying that you think BB should trade him immediately and replace him with a role player like Givens or Patten?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Bring in a young Moss from 2003 and see what happens.

Moss is the greatest weapon in NFL history.

From 1998-2003, Moss had one of the greatest stretches in WRs history. His stretch is on the same as Rice, Harrison, etc. There is no debate.

The debate is 07 Moss or 11 Gronk and which player has the greater positive impact on the offense.

 

[PatriotsReign]

So with such a witty comment along with 17k posts, I am sure you can produce a bunch of your comments from Nov and Dec 2007 when Moss was on pace for 23 saying that you think BB should trade him immediately and replace him with a role player like Givens or Patten?

What I was implying was that in 2003, Moss was an arse. He no idea what the concept of TEAM meant and would have been disruptive to the championship teams we had.

He "sucked it up" for exactly one year and then went back to being his old self...a selfish arse.

Ok jibba-jabba?

 

[doesntmatter1]

I loved 07 Moss and would have loved to have him in his prime but got to go with gronk. Its really just the fact that i slightly value the play of a tight end more than a wideout. As great as Moss was, you still needed the line to hold up if you wanted to throw it deep but with gronk when things break down you can immediately throw it to him because he is so big and can break tackles. There is a reason why tight ends are usually the safety blanket for rookie qbs.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Gronk is far more valuable...not even close. When he's not making great catches he's on the line blocking.

 

[NSPF]

Is Welker an option? He's clearly the bread and butter of the offense, and has been even going back to 2007.

Between Gronk and Moss however, it's hard to argue with the bump Moss gave offenses. Both NE and MIN scored 200 more points in Moss's first season with them than they did the previous season. He's also the greatest deep threat ever.

However, I think I might take Gronk. Not only is he a better team guy, but he's got more flexibility, is great in the run game, and oh yeah he set both of the major tight end receiving records this year. He even managed to appear humble while doing it. He still acts like he's a rookie just trying to help his team, and I love it! He's got similar stats over his first two years, better character, and what about the "eye test?" Well the eye test tells me that he's more reliable, and is never going to disappear in games. Even if he decides to have a bad day as a receiver, he's still a big asset in the running game. If Moss had a bad day as a receiver, the quarterback probably still tried to force the ball to him, and the offense as a whole probably had a bad day.

 

[borg]

One opens the middle of the field by attracting S play on the deep sidelines. The other opens the sidelines by attracting S play in the middle. The x factor is Hernandez now.....who covers him ??...S or LB. When Brady solves the coverage, a great player is open.


Answer: Gronk/Hernandez > Moss

 

[MSU]

I hate comparing young players to legends but it's hard not to love Gronkowski, the guy just has a passion for playing football. Not sure if that was always there with Moss.