Why is Rob Gronkowski still underrated? (Poll included)

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

True, Rob Gronkowski is considered hands-down the best TE in the NFL. He was first team all-pro in 2012 when he missed nearly half the season, which should tell you plenty about the way he is respected. However, in my opinion, Gronkowski is the best offensive player (non-QB) in the NFL, and it isn't even that close. With all due respect to Calvin Johnson, Gronkowski is a more valuable player. Despite having a slow start and playing at a lower level for 25% of the season, he averaged overall more yards per route run than any other player in the NFL - including the wide receivers - and that doesn't even touch on his ability as a menacing blocker, red zone juggernaut, and built-in ability to disguise the run and pass.

I realize the NFL Top 100 Countdown is a joke, but still, how is it possible that the following players ranked ahead of Gronk this year: DeMarco Murray (lol!), Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown, Marshawn Lynch. Would a single GM in the NFL take Murray, Brown, or Lynch over Gronkowski if he could have any of those players at the same price? I highly doubt it.

I get that in 2012 and 2013, Gronkowski's ranking was watered down by his injuries, but in 2011, with Gronkowski coming off the greatest season of all-time by a TE, where he set the record for most TDs and yards by a tight end, while also being one of the league's best blockers, he ranked 22nd! Jimmy Graham came in at 14th, despite being an inferior pass catcher, a far, far inferior blocker, and a complementary piece to an offense full of weapons. How does this possibly happen?

While these countdowns are a joke, it does seem like analysts are quick to say Gronk is the best TE in the league, but you will rarely hear any of them mention him as one of the league's best overall players.

In my opinion, no RB, WR, or TE should be ranked above Gronkowski, since Gronkowski's impact is, both statistically and by the eye test, superior to anyone else by a fairly wide margin. Again, respect to Calvin Johnson, who I think is easily the second best, but I truly believe that objectively, Gronkowski is a more valuable player.

 

[ViperGTS]

It's because he's a Patriot. If he was anywhere else, but he'd be talked about as the greatest of all time already. It's truly a shame because he's the biggest chess piece any NFL offense has.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

It's because he's a Patriot. If he was anywhere else, but he'd be talked about as the greatest of all time already. It's truly a shame because he's the biggest chess piece any NFL offense has.

Which makes Hernandez's meltdown all the more "What if?" fodder.

Between the two of them, defenses basically were screwed: Brady used Hernandez to figure out what the D was doing, and then GRONK could be used as almost anything from his position next to the tackles.

 

[Tony2046]

Stats do not show how pumped a team becomes when Gronk throws someone "out of the club" or when he mows down half the secondary on the way to the endzone. Truly a freak of nature.

I would not put a non-QB player over Gronk either but I would consider Marshawn Lynch over Calvin Johnson. I think he adds that same Gronk like attitude to his team.

Not sure how you would quantify the value of a team being "pumped up" into points or stats or how it ......uh....thinking of a word here......uh .... ok I'll go with ....diminishes the confidence of an opposing team but there is definitely some value.

 

[Tony2046]

Which makes Hernandez's meltdown all the more "What if?" fodder.

Between the two of them, defenses basically were screwed: Brady used Hernandez to figure out what the D was doing, and then GRONK could be used as almost anything from his position next to the tackles.

The Chandler signing is the new "what if" fodder.

 

[fnordcircle]

It takes a special kind of NFL inferiority complex to think that Gronk is underrated.

 

[aluminum seats]

Honestly, you answer your own question by referring to these polls as a joke twice in your post. Running backs & wide receivers get more attention than a tight end, even one as transcendent as Gronk. That's really about it.

 

[Joey007]

Okay stop. If anything Gronk is the one guy on this team that doesn't get underrated. He as a tight end was number 10 on the top 100. Could he have been a couple spots higher? Sure. But I don't think they're underrating him by any means. They all know he's a beast.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I don't think Gronk's underrated. It's pretty much universally acknowledged that, if he can stay even relatively healthy, he'll go down as the GOAT TE. And the Grantland NFL podcast, among a good few other sources, has stated that Gronk is one of 2 or 3 guys in contention for best offensive weapon in the game. at that point, it's basically just a matter of personal taste re: TE vs. WR vs. RB. If Gronk's hurt by anything, it's that the TE-centric offense is a relatively rare thing, so a lot of the public tends to undervalue them.

 

[Brewskies]

According to Goodell he is next on their list, just kidding, wait a minute maybe I do have some insight. They will nail him for his off season antics not representing the NFL properly. I hope he doesn't expect Bob Kraft to support him.

IMO, and that's not worth much, he is the GOAT TE and I am glad he is with the Pats.

 

[borg]

A beast TE has far greater impact on an offense than a stud WR....this cannot be argued. Both catch 6 passes on a good day. Our Gronk typically field more TDs/ game. Gronk and stud WRs are equally effective in the decoy game as well. Then the discussion moves to the running game ....and game over. The Gronk is a 3rd tackle...he pulls, he seals, he crack blocks, he dominates. A WR is only effective as a run blocker if the RB can break thru the LOS.......that's what Gronk is there for........he impacts every running play. WRs don't.
And BB gets the entire package at 60 cents on the dollar compared to the stud WR making $14+ million. BB knows the value of TEs and he knows economics.
Pats win with a healthy Gronk. Detroit or Dallas or Cincy or Atlanta can't make that same claim when their stud is healthy.
NO CONTEST......game over

 

[Kontradiction]

Gronk is not underrated. But, since you asked, the best non-QB skill position player in the NFL is Calvin Johnson. He's put up otherworldly numbers in spite of the fact that he has been the only threat on that team for 3/4's of his career (which means he's regularly getting double covered). Gronk is a very close second, though.

 

[PatsWSB47]

I listened to the two afternoon idiots after every monster game that Gronk had last year and heard them say that it all can be attributed to giving him a free release at the snap. You see, according to them that explains everything. I guess he's really overated . Before you say stop listening to them I have. Its been 4 months. I won't even mention their names

 

[nabwong]

I would hesitate to discount a stud WR's contribution to the run game. Someone like Moss regularly pulls bodies from the box and he still beats the double team. The bottom line is, if you're great, you're great. It doesn't really matter the position.

If Calvin Johnson had Tom Brady, imagine what his numbers would be. The fact that he has Matthew Hail Mary stafford as his QB and still gets those numbers, is amazing.

I also don't mind that Lynch is rated higher than Gronk. He IS the Seattle O. If Seattle had won, he'd be the mvp.

But I'm glad that we have Gronk. I would NOT trade him for anyone else in the NFL.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Gronk is not underrated. But, since you asked, the best non-QB skill position player in the NFL is Calvin Johnson. He's put up otherworldly numbers in spite of the fact that he has been the only threat on that team for 3/4's of his career (which means he's regularly getting double covered). Gronk is a very close second, though.

When Megatron is healthy, no one is better. The man is not human.

Thats not a knock on Gronk. Hes not human either. Just different players with different skills and talents.

 

[Ross12]

Why isn't Danny Amendola on this poll?

 

[RobertWeathers]

If Calvin Johnson had Tom Brady, imagine what his numbers would be.

I'm not sure his numbers would be that different- if not less than what hes done in DET. Pats run an offense based on socialism, ball distribution and match-ups.

The fact that he has Matthew Hail Mary stafford as his QB and still gets those numbers, is amazing.

Caldwell pulled him in last year. With Megatron back 100% it'll be interesting to see how he does. The other issue is beyond Tate and Mega, Stafford doesn't have a lot of options....

 

[RobertWeathers]

Why isn't Danny Amendola on this poll?

Nate Solder too!

 

[nabwong]

I'm not sure his numbers would be that different- if not less than what hes done in DET. Pats run an offense based on socialism, ball distribution and match-ups.




Caldwell pulled him in last year. With Megatron back 100% it'll be interesting to see how he does. The other issue is beyond Tate and Mega, Stafford doesn't have a lot of options....

It might be 2007 all over again if megatron is on this team.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Gronk. I would trade him for anyone else in the NFL.

Let me thank God that you are NOT our GM!