NFL Network Debate : Gronk/Graham

Ring 6 · Jun 13, 2012

Deus Irae said:
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.

I would agree with that analysis, although I would add Gronk has a clear advantage in the red zone as well.

SHOWTIME15 · Jun 13, 2012

looks like Graham is the highest ranked tight end in the top 100 list.

eagle eye · Jun 13, 2012

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

Jason Witten is the only one that could attempt to replace Gronk imo. He has superior blocking skills just like Gronk and he has never had Brady throwing to him so he might improve in that area if he were here.

sly24 · Jun 13, 2012

Deion Sanders must have a man crush on Graham because all of last season he's also been saying Graham is better. I honestly can't even see how this is debatable.. Gronk is miles ahead.

PatsWSB47 · Jun 13, 2012

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

Terrell Suggs(who did that?) and 68000 others likes this

captain stone · Jun 14, 2012

eom said:
then why is sapp on there?

Comic relief?

But seriously, folks, whenever I tune to Total Asshats and see Warren the Sapp at the table,
I change the channel to GSN, which fortunately is just one click away on the digital dial.

Salva135 · Jun 14, 2012

The only advantage I can think of right now that Graham has over Gronk is in the injury concern area... and that shouldn't really be overlooked, given Gronk's style of play (we have all cringed at some of his plays last season). It DOES have some value. He has additional blocking responsibilities that add wear and tear. But they are both so young that it's impossible to quantify the difference in value right now, merely worth taking note.

Gronk came into the league with an injury record and has one in the NFL as well. It has to be at least taken into account projecting forward.

Delicate Genius · Jun 14, 2012

eom said:
then why is sapp on there?

Because he moved into the studio after his condo was foreclosed.

patsinthesnow · Jun 14, 2012

Patriots vs Ravens 2011 AFC Title Game Sound FX - YouTube

3:05 ends the debate IMO. It's not crazy talk when people say he could play LT or RT, especially when you own Ngata 1 on 1 and Suggs on numerous occassions.

crew1954 · Jun 14, 2012

Gronk is better, but here is a nice story about Graham. The only head scratcher is comparing him ( as a person) to Michael Vick.

Jimmy Graham: A Story of Survival & Beating the Odds - Black Enterprise

PatsFan2 · Jun 14, 2012

Football fan's are very biased to their Teams or players like it or not. Both Graham and Gronk are match-up nightmares for opposing Defenses. I will say this if we had either i wouldn't be complaining.

Keyser Söze · Jun 14, 2012

Graham ranking ahead of Gronk is going to be a joke. Gronk is a complete TE.

Criptonite · Jun 14, 2012

The only reason there's a debate is because of the fantasy football culture that now dominates the sport. It's grown so popular that most people are no longer football fans, they're fantasy football fans. Blocking doesn't get you points, so many will just ignore that aspect of the game and base their opinions purely on receiving stats. Graham is a fantastic receiver, but he is no where near the complete player that Gronkowski is. Every real football fan knows that. As for the commentator's "opinions", it's just like patsfan13 said, all staged garbage.

ThatllMoveTheChains!!! · Jun 14, 2012

Ice_Ice_Brady said:
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.

For 80yds of the field I think Graham is Gronk's equal and an effective TE, but last I knew those last 20yds are pretty important.

randomk1 · Jun 14, 2012

Meh..this is a non issue. That list has proven itself to be bull**** a long time ago and anyone with a brain knows who the #1 TE is.

Keyser Söze · Jun 14, 2012

Have a strong feeling Brady won't be #1 again even though he should. I think he'll be #2 behind Rodgers.

Salva135 · Jun 14, 2012

Keyser Söze said:
Have a strong feeling Brady won't be #1 again even though he should. I think he'll be #2 behind Rodgers.

I would be shocked if the top 3 doesn't go Rodgers, Brees, Brady, in that order. No one else deserves it after the seasons they all had. And Brady being third wouldn't upset me at all. Shuffling that triumvirate is splitting hairs. They were all monsters last season.

Brady_to_Moss · Jun 14, 2012

I refuse to watch that pile (warren sapp)

Ring 6 · Jun 14, 2012

Criptonite said:
The only reason there's a debate is because of the fantasy football culture that now dominates the sport. It's grown so popular that most people are no longer football fans, they're fantasy football fans. Blocking doesn't get you points, so many will just ignore that aspect of the game and base their opinions purely on receiving stats. Graham is a fantastic receiver, but he is no where near the complete player that Gronkowski is. Every real football fan knows that. As for the commentator's "opinions", it's just like patsfan13 said, all staged garbage.

I agree with much of this, however, these rankings are based upon PLAYER voting.

ctpatsfan77 · Jun 14, 2012

How good is GRONK?

The Patriots wanted GRONK on the field on essentially every snap. Pass to GRONK, pass to someone else, run block, it doesn't matter: they wanted him on the field.

And, apparently, there are a bunch of idiots who think GRONK is the Pats' #1 target (in fact, when the Pats have Welker, GRONK, and Hernandez all on the field the targets, IIRC, actually go Welker > Hernandez > GRONK!).

NFL Network Debate : Gronk/Graham

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