NFL Network Debate : Gronk/Graham

[Ive_Killed_People]

I was watching Total Access the other night and the question was posed to Heath Evans and Warren Sapp "Who is the better TE Gronk or Graham. They showed stats in 4 categories: TDs/YDS/Rec. and Rec. over 25 yds. Now obviously this last stat was cherry picked to make it look like a closer competition. Sapp(a grown man who owns over 250 pair of sneakers,true story) used this cherry picked stat to say that Graham was more explosive because he had 3 more plays over 25 yds and that coupled with the fact he went to school at the "U" makes him superior to Gronk.

But as Deion Sanders says when he's about to (allegedly) pimp slap his wife: HOLD ON PLAYA! Gronk has more YDs on 9 less catches. Gronk averages 14.7 YPC to Graham's 13.2. So wouldn't the guy that has more YPC be the more explosive?

OK we know Sapp is a joke and that we weren't going to really get an honest debate because for one thing there IS no debate. Gronk is twice the player Graham is.

Gronk scored 18 mussa fussin TD's last year...Graham had 11

Gronk was the first TE to ever lead the league in TD receptions

Gronk gained more yards(and don't tell me it was only because he was put back in...Peyton put Graham back in first to try and steal Gronks record)

But here's the kicker.(and neither Heath Evans in his pro-Gronk argument or Sapp in his mindless "U" rant even mentioned)

RECEIVING IS ONLY HALF OF A TE'S JOB

Gronk is a beast ask T-Sizzle(of course he'll have to refer to the police report of the truck that ran him over in the AFC Championship game)

Graham couldn't block my Grandma from crossing the street even if she was holding a bag of groceries and her joints were aching because it was about to rain.

So anyways I saw that a couple days ago and just had to vent about it when I hit 50 posts.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Graham was targeted 20 more times last year.

Gronk is way better in the red zone. As you pointed out, Gronk is a far superior blocker.

In my opinion, Graham is not a top-5 TE; he is more of a tall wide receiver.

 

[Uncle Rico]

I remember seeing one of these last season too, and the word "blocking" was never mentioned. Absurd. Gronk can disappear from the passing game for several series and still be one of the most valuable guys on the field. Graham not so much.

 

[Big-T]

As one of the commentators said last season - Gronk blocks better than some teams starting tackles!

A fairer debate would be: Hernandez or Graham?

There isn't a TE in the league on Gronks level, he's the best all-round TE in the league.

 

[patsfan13]

You have to remember that thee shows are for entertainment as much as anything else, and a lot of these debates are staged.

Nothing to take seriously.

 

[Pujo]

It doesn't matter, Jermichael Finley is better than both of them combined.

 

[Pujo]

You have to remember that thee shows are for entertainment as much as anything else, and a lot of these debates are staged.

Nothing to take seriously.

I'm very sure that's true, but how does Sapp always end up drawing the short straw and having to take the stupid side in an argument?

 

[Frezo]

I'm very sure that's true, but how does Sapp always end up drawing the short straw and having to take the stupid side in an argument?

If the 500 shoes fit...

 

[strngplyr]

You have to remember that thee shows are for entertainment as much as anything else, and a lot of these debates are staged.

Nothing to take seriously.

This. 100%

I'm very sure that's true, but how does Sapp always end up drawing the short straw and having to take the stupid side in an argument?

My above agreeance aside, it is also 100% possible that Sapp is not aware these are staged.

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

You have to remember that thee shows are for entertainment as much as anything else, and a lot of these debates are staged.

Nothing to take seriously.

No doubt,but...It just shows their hypocrisy. In that same show they were breaking down film on Mario Williams. But I guess they never got around to watching film on the TE's

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

As one of the commentators said last season - Gronk blocks better than some teams starting tackles!

A fairer debate would be: Hernandez or Graham?

There isn't a TE in the league on Gronks level, he's the best all-round TE in the league.

Not really fair to Hernando though because he has Gronk opposite him whereas Graham has 'shrugs' opposite him

 

[BradyFTW!]

Any opinion on TEs that doesn't account for their blocking is worthless. Even if you conceded that they're a wash as as receivers (they aren't), that's still only half of the question. NFLN, once again, is a joke.

 

[NSPF]

This was right above the Daniel Graham thread, so I was very confused as to why anyone would think he was anywhere near as good as Gronk.

 

[Raymond]

Graham couldn't block my Grandma from crossing the street even if she was holding a bag of groceries and her joints were aching because it was about to rain.

 

[eom]

You have to remember that thee shows are for entertainment as much as anything else, .

then why is sapp on there?

 

[Ring 6]

I thought Sapp was getting fired when he filed Banksruptcy? Does the Bankruptcy court really let him keep 250 pair of shoes, not to mention all of the other senseless possessions he blew the money he got from his creditors on, and now doesn't want to repay?

 

[Rob0729]

I think Gronk's year last year was the single greatest performance by a TE in a single season in league history. Gronk is easily the most complete TE in the NFL right now. I think he wins hands down.

Graham is a great player and the second best TE in the league, but he can't block and isn't the sure red zone target Gronk is.

 

[ausbacker]

If you could choose 1 Tight End to replace Rob Gronkowski you'd be pretty happy with Jimmy Graham. They're 1A to 1AA.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

If you could choose 1 Tight End to replace Rob Gronkowski you'd be pretty happy with Jimmy Graham. They're 1A to 1AA.

True, for his receiving. You'd need to add a blocker and that's what makes Gronk #1 and Graham #2 imho. He can fill in for both modes and it gives the offense an extra weapon as defenses are forced to respect both aspects of his game.

Expect Gronk to get lots of attention this year from defenses, but they will sure have their hands full .

 

[Deus Irae]

Both have 2 NFL seasons under their belts. Both set TE records in their second season. Graham's more fluid, Gronk's more powerful. If I need the guy to get open, I'd give that edge to Graham. If I need the guy to win a fight for the ball in traffic, I'd give that edge to Gronk. Gronk's got two pretty significant edges, which are his age and his blocking ability.

I'd give the edge to Gronk, but I'd also be inclined to say something like "let's see what they do this year....". Either way, it's nice to be talking elite TEs and not be talking about Gonzalez and Gates, for a change.