Patriots draft-day flashback: Rob Gronkowski

[rookBoston]

You wouldn't happen to have a link to that video footage?

I don't. I was just over at patriots.com to see if I could find it, but no joy.

The video was a short clip embedded into either Patriots All Access or Patriots Today, shortly after the draft was concluded.

Edit: Found one from the same draft, but they've cut Belichick's reaction to Cinci's pick out of the video.

 

[rochrist]

Five years ago today Belichick used the 42ndpick of the 2010 NFL Draft – a second-round selection – on Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski. The big pass-catcher had missed his final college season with a back injury and was seen as a huge medical risk. Listen to Mel Kiper's comments as the announcements are made:



Gronk has since become a League-leading Tight End, perhaps one of the best of all time. I think it's safe to say, Bill made a good call!

For some perspective as to why Belichick chose to take a gamble on Gronk, go check out this cool interview

Yeah, you really gotta be super accurate with Gronk cause he has such a tight catching radius.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Stiff, not fluid, doesn't adjust well to a poorly thrown ball - in line blocker [draft genius, Mel Kiper].

It's hard to overstate what an idiot this guy is, as is anyone who thinks he knows what a good football player is.

I wonder if he was having back issues his Jr. year which is why he seemed "stiff". There was and is nothing stiff about his ability to receive the football.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Sean Lee was on the board... he's become a pretty high end Mike backer. Not that I'm unhappy with how it worked out for us with Hightower and Mayo inside.

I remember they showed War Room footage of Belichick in 2010, and he looked visibly deflated when the Bengals drafted Jermaine Gresham immediately before the Pats pick. Pats then traded back twice, passing up Demarious Thomas and Dez Bryant, to draft McCourty... and then took Gronkowski in the 2nd round.

Never really could figure out what Belichick was hoping with Gresham, that would make him react that way. But I imagine that he wanted Gresham in the 1st and... I dunno what... maybe McCourty at the top of the 2nd?

Regardless, getting McCourty and Gronkowski at the top of that draft worked out pretty damn well for us. Gresham has been good not great. Sometimes things just work out for the best.

I don't recall seeing that footage, but I've been re-reading War Room and it seemed like McCourty was the target all along.

 

[New England Pride]

I wonder if he was having back issues his Jr. year which is why he seemed "stiff". There was and is nothing stiff about his ability to receive the football.

I actually think "stiff" if a great way to describe Gronk as an athlete in general. When you weigh 270 pounds and live in the weight room, it comes with the territory. He doesn't have the dexterity and body control of a 190 pound reviever, but you can't have it all. Those smaller guys could be described as much more "fluid." Gronk is all about boxing out defenders or just smashing through them when he has the ball. I can understand a scouts concern about his "stiffness" pre draft. How were they supposed to know he was going to make up for it by being the most physically imposing creature the position has ever seen. Just my take.

 

[rochrist]

Excerpts from the scouting reports on Gronk coming out of college:

Hands: Shows great concentration and hands while going over the middle. Nicely snatches the ball outside his frame, much more so than other top tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Aaron Heranandez.

STRENGTHS
Gronkowski has prototypical size and good speed. Shows fluid hips and runs precise routes. Possesses the lateral quickness and burst to get open in man coverage. Catches the ball away from his chest and displays good body control. Effective blocker that can generate a push. Very productive in his two seasons in the Pac-10.

Not a whole lot there about how you better have a super accurate QB if you expect Gronk to catch any balls.

Actually, I was surprised at the number of reports that didn't have as much more than an adequate starting TE even IF his health held up. Particular amusing was the frequent 'can't make people miss after he catches the ball'. Yeah, no. He doesn't need to make anyone miss. It takes 5 or 6 of them to bring him down.

 

[Wheelman]

Excerpts from the scouting reports on Gronk coming out of college:

Hands: Shows great concentration and hands while going over the middle. Nicely snatches the ball outside his frame, much more so than other top tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Aaron Heranandez.

STRENGTHS
Gronkowski has prototypical size and good speed. Shows fluid hips and runs precise routes. Possesses the lateral quickness and burst to get open in man coverage. Catches the ball away from his chest and displays good body control. Effective blocker that can generate a push. Very productive in his two seasons in the Pac-10.

Not a whole lot there about how you better have a super accurate QB if you expect Gronk to catch any balls.

Actually, I was surprised at the number of reports that didn't have as much more than an adequate starting TE even IF his health held up. Particular amusing was the frequent 'can't make people miss after he catches the ball'. Yeah, no. He doesn't need to make anyone miss. It takes 5 or 6 of them to bring him down.

Damn straight, he just drags em like he did those Washington D.C Football Team defenders, or he makes them miss like he did last season against the Colts. The GOAT Tight End and it isn't even close!

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I said in 2011 that Rob Gronkowski was the second most valuable non-QB in the NFL, trailing only Calvin Johnson. Today, he is THE most valuable non-QB in the league. He is THAT good. If Suh and Revis are worth $16M a year, Gronk must be worth north of 20.