What more does Rob Gronkowski need for a Hall of Fame resume?

billdog3484 · Mar 4, 2015

Bruins29 said:
I agree but what is the threshold for when that factor kicks in?

i always look at how dominant a player is. i dont think anyone has been as dominant as Gronk. Gonzalez was a great player, but i dont think to the effect of gronk. He also never had a QB like Brady. so its tough to say.

For the Hall of Fame, theres always the longevity argument and the dominance in short period of time. at this point, thats what we are looking at.

rochrist · Mar 4, 2015

jmt57 said:
Personally I think too much weight is given to final career stats, because (a) different eras produce different numbers, and (b) it gives, by comparison, the player with a lengthy career too much of an advantage. I'm more likely to look at (a) how many times a player was among the top-3 or top-5 at his position, and (b) how his best eight seasons stack up against another player's best eight seasons.

However, that's just me and not how voters necessarily look at a player. That being said, if Gronk can play at a high level in the way I mentioned above - i.e., eight solid seasons - then he is in. That means four more good years, and he should be a lock; he already is a 3-time pro bowler and a 2-time all-pro, to go along with being a vital part of a championship team. Less than four more good seasons and he still has a case, but it starts becoming debatable as his career numbers will be compared to guys like Tony Gonzalez who played much longer.

I'd agree with this. Just two more healthy years would be liable to move in past Ben Coates in receptions. He's already past him in TDs. 4 healthy years would probably give him at least 600-650 receptions and close to 90 TDs. I'd guess that would do it pretty easily. The thing that really stands out about Gronk are the TDs.

Marinlik · Mar 4, 2015

Bruins29 said:
Which they have to get out of the game somehow.

I agree with you. But I'm sure someone here will come and say that people have to hit low because you can't hit high any more, as that seem to be the usual excuse for why players hit the knees. Which is probably the worst excuse since "I was only following orders". Believe it or not, but there is actually a large amount of body between the knees and the head where you can hit legaly.

You don't to hit players in the knees or in the head to tackle them. If you need to do that to bring someone down then you are just a lousy tackler. Seahawks have done a good job of showing that you can bring down even big guys without trying to ruin their career at the same time.

PatsWickedPissah · Mar 4, 2015

Nice to see props to the SeaHawks D here which I agree with wholeheartedly. Megaprops to Brady who utilized Gronk as much as he could and was able to find the other quick release plays. We need to remember that the GOAT faced a dominant defensive team. Makes the comeback W from 10 down in the 4th all the more remarkable.

VJCPatriot · Mar 5, 2015

All Gronk needs is longevity. He's already broken most of the records that matter for a TE - TDs, yards, most TDs in X time span, fastest to 50 TDs, etc. Not to mention that he's not just a pass-catching monster, he's an all-around TE who knocks people on their keisters in the blocking game.

Gronk is the most complete and best TE in the NFL today. If he can play another 5 seasons at a high level, the HOF is a lock.

Kontradiction · Mar 5, 2015

He needs to continue to keep his eyes upfield and do what is necessary to protect his knees and know when to get down, like he did in 2014. For whatever reason, people last offseason thought Gronk wouldn't be the same "smash and dash" style TE if he did that but he still was. Difference is he just wasn't overly reckless. The result is Gronk played a full season and his presence on the field was the difference between an early playoff exit (probably in the divisional round since we would have beaten the dog **** out of the Colts without him) and a Super Bowl victory. Health is the only thing that stands in the way of Gronk retiring as the best TE of all time. So, if he can remain relatively healthy throughout his career, he'll be in the Hall.

BSR · Mar 5, 2015

He already has many of the numbers, but I do think he needs to have some more quality seasons. However, I still think he needs about 3 more pro-bowl caliber seasons and at least 1 to 2 more All pro caliber seasons. That would but him at 6 pro bowls and 3/4 All pros for his career. I think that might be enough.

By comparison Gonzalez has an astounding 14 pro bowls and 6 All pros for his career. That is remarkable. I remembered being convinced in August that he was going to come here for a swan song season. Too bad he didn't.

JJDChE · Mar 5, 2015

If he plays until 30 at this level, he's a 1st ballot lock and likely considered GOAT. The big question is whether the next Pats QB can use him like Brady. I think he get in regardless, but he'll be in much sooner if he can keep his pace up when Brady retires...assuming we re-sign him.

What more does Rob Gronkowski need for a Hall of Fame resume?

billdog3484

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rochrist

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Marinlik

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PatsWickedPissah

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VJCPatriot

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Kontradiction

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BSR

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JJDChE

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