Gronk to retire

signbabybrady said:

There's obviously been a lot of talk about the length of his career. And I would suggest he has had a normal sized career for a TE. I would also suggest some of the more pass heavy TEs like Gonzalez or Sharpe are more the outlier for length probably due to less wear and tear.
Not having done any research to support my theory and going strictly out of memory guys like Coates, Winslow Sr, and Bavaro had similar 10 year careers.

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Something tells me that both Gonzalez and Sharpe would consider Gronk to be the GOAT, certainly Gonzalez.

Good luck to Gronk in his future endeavors, he will be sorely missed.

venecol said:

Something tells me that both Gonzalez and Sharpe would consider Gronk to be the GOAT, certainly Gonzalez.

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“Certainly Gonzalez?” Yeah, I’m not so sure about that.

Gonzalez: 14 pro bowls (almost 3x)
Gronk: 5 pro bowls

Gonzalez: 1,325 catches (getting close to 3x)
Gronk: 521 catches

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Tony Gonzalez had a pretty illustrious career, especially when you consider the fact that these were his QBs:

Elvis Grbac, Trent Green, Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, and Matt Ryan.

DarrylS said:

Gronk goes out on his own terms in his own way.. Did BB know this was in the cards???

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Some notes from Peter King (Sports Illustrated):

—Former TE Dwayne Allen claimed that the retirement talk was a “day to day” thing last year, with Gronk often claiming that “this is it” throughout the 2017 season. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone.

—King notes that many in the organization felt that Gronk was definitely going to retire early last week, well before the Jared Cook negotiations.

—King notes that Jared Cook made up his mind about going to the Saints at the end of last week, and has not wavered since hearing about the news of Gronk.

—King’s opinion is that this might be the weakest group of skill position players in the Belichick era, and he’s almost certainly right. There’s Edelman and a bunch of nobodies at WR/TE. Luckily, there’s plenty of time to address it before the season starts, but Brady will have his hands full, once again, trying to work harder and longer, in the attempt to break in a bunch of new pieces.

On the one hand I'm happy for Gronk that he's getting out before he completely ruins his body. On the other this is the saddest retirement for me. Bruschi, Brown and others there was no doubt they were shells of themselves. Gronk might not be the Gronk of a few years ago but he can still play at a really high level especially when it's prime time. Also I think because we're obviously a lot closer to the end of the dynasty and his moving on is the first domino.

Then there's also the fact you're never going to see the likes of him again. He's more than a generational player. There's no other player in league history who one play can block a speed rush end, then the next catch a go route 40 yards down the edge or seam, then the next wham block a DT, the next make a one hander over the middle and then the next slap 5 or 6 defenders out of the way on his way to the EZ.

I may feel differently, especially if the Pats are struggling, but I hope he doesn't pull a Whitten and come back as a shell of himself. This really is the perfect way to go out after that trifecta of games he had in the playoffs. That was dominant. I'd want to remember that.

No........................
No.........................
Monday starts so bad...

Anyway Gronk GRAZIE...
Simply a fantastic playier...you will be missed...

everlong said:

Bruschi, Brown and others there was no doubt they were shells of themselves. Gronk might not be the Gronk of a few years ago but he can still play at a really high level especially when it's prime time.

I may feel differently, especially if the Pats are struggling, but I hope he doesn't pull a Whitten and come back as a shell of himself. This really is the perfect way to go out after that trifecta of games he had in the playoffs. That was dominant. I'd want to remember that.

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I think the postseason run was his last go ‘round, where he just gave us every last drop that he had in the tank. Otherwise, he already pretty much was a former shell of himself this past season.

I think he caught KC off guard a bit, coming off a game where he did nothing but block in the divisional round. Then he had two weeks before the SB to try and recoup enough to give us one last big catch, to go with a stellar 6 catch/87 yd performance. I know that we all wanted to believe that he’d be back, and at full speed, but I doubt that would’ve been the case.

As I stated last week, he was spotted at that yoga class in Miami, really struggling. That may not have been a great indicator of his future plans, but it didn’t sound like good news, either.

supafly said:

“Certainly Gonzalez?” Yeah, I’m not so sure about that.

Gonzalez: 14 pro bowls (almost 3x)
Gronk: 5 pro bowls

Gonzalez: 1,325 catches (getting close to 3x)
Gronk: 521 catches

—-

Tony Gonzalez had a pretty illustrious career, especially when you consider the fact that these were his QBs:

Elvis Grbac, Trent Green, Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, and Matt Ryan.

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All of that is true and he also played for twice as long as Gronk thus the disparity in the stats. I'm pretty sure Gronk had >3x the operations that Tony had. Another TE that also exceeds Gronk's stats is Antonio Gates, who also played 16 years.

I only mentioned that because every time I've heard Tony talk about Gronk he is in awe, plus Tony is a very confident guy and seems to me to be very honest and would have no problem admitting if someone else was better than him (his stats speak for themselves). He is about to get inducted so he has nothing left to prove.

There are two things that keep them apart: Gronk's injuries affected his longevity contrary to Tony's career; and
Tony's lack of SB rings due to playing with not very good teams contrary to Gronk's career.

We'll just never know what Gronk's final stats would have been if he didn't have all of those injuries.

I'll leave you with some of Gronk's records.



Here is a comparison with hall of fame TEs:

IMO there is no debate. Gronk is the best one. He was the best blocker by far, best red zone target and best playmaker. He did it for 6 years only tho, but he won 3 rings. Tony Gonzalez has all individual stats and that is why i can decide who has the best career, but the best player IMO is pretty set. It was not a 2 or 3 years fluke.

venecol said:

All of that is true and he also played for twice as long as Gronk thus the disparity in the stats. I'm pretty sure Gronk had >3x the operations that Tony had. Another TE that also exceeds Gronk's stats is Antonio Gates, who also played 16 years.

I only mentioned that because every time I've heard Tony talk about Gronk he is in awe, plus Tony is a very confident guy and seems to me to be very honest and would have no problem admitting if someone else was better than him (his stats speak for themselves). He is about to get inducted so he has nothing left to prove.

There are two things that keep them apart: Gronk's injuries affected his longevity contrary to Tony's career; and
Tony's lack of SB rings due to playing with not very good teams contrary to Gronk's career.

We'll just never know what Gronk's final stats would have been if he didn't have all of those injuries.

I'll leave you with some of Gronk's records.

View attachment 22924

Here is a comparison with hall of fame TEs:

View attachment 22925

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Oh, he’s a lock for the HOF, but the way that you worded it that Sharpe and Gonzalez (“especially Gonzalez”) would be willing to admit that they were lesser players seemed a bit wonky.

I don’t want to get into the debate again, but I don’t think it’s clear cut that Gronk was the best TE of all time, especially when you have guys at the position that blow his stats and longevity away. Like I said earlier, I think it would have been his for the taking had he played another 3-4 years.

At the risk of getting cheesy....I am more happy to have experienced Gronk play for us as opposed to disappointed to hear he is retiring.

Appreciate it while you can. Brady is not far behind. What great memories, so physical on the line and money when it counted. He was a special special player.

On to the next chapter Rob G. and best of luck to you!

Career longevity and greatness have nothing to do with each other. See Sayers, Kofax, etc.

Statistical volume and greatness also have nothing to do with each other. See Terrell Davis. Sayers.

A player is either great or not. We can all agree what greatness looks like. Bird was great for a handful of years but is in GOAT conversation.

Now, combining longevity and volume is GOATness.

Gronk played 9 years. He has the volume. He is certainly worthy of GOAT discussion.

Bye Gronky! / Thank you for all the piggyback rides!

Halifax_Pats_Fan said:

At the risk of getting cheesy....I am more happy to have experienced Gronk play for us as opposed to disappointed to hear he is retiring.

Appreciate it while you can. Brady is not far behind. What great memories, so physical on the line and money when it counted. He was a special special player.

On to the next chapter Rob G. and best of luck to you!

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True, although it feels as though the first big pillar has fallen in terms of the destruction of the dynasty. It’s such a key piece.

Maybe it won’t feel that way once we see how they’re going to attack the weaknesses on offense, but in the meantime, we’ve lost our monster LT Brown, both physical TEs in Allen and Gronk, our best defensive player in Flowers, are still playing “chicken” with our franchise kicker, and also swung and missed on multiple key free agents. The news yesterday regarding Gronk just hasn’t settled yet, that’s all. I’m sure it will get better with time.

As of his retirement, he led the league in "69" jokes.

supafly said:

Oh, he’s a lock for the HOF, but the way that you worded it that Sharpe and Gonzalez (“especially Gonzalez”) would be willing to admit that they were lesser players seemed a bit wonky.

I don’t want to get into the debate again, but I don’t think it’s clear cut that Gronk was the best TE of all time, especially when you have guys at the position that blow his stats and longevity away. Like I said earlier, I think it would have been his for the taking had he played another 3-4 years.

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I'm not disagreeing with you, it was more a praise to Tony. I really like his demeanor, one of my favorite ex-players on TV. Yea, it's too bad Gronk had such a shortened career.

robertweathers said:

Career longevity and greatness have nothing to do with each other. See Sayers, Kofax, etc.

Statistical volume and greatness also have nothing to do with each other. See Terrell Davis. Sayers.

A player is either great or not. We can all agree what greatness looks like. Bird was great for a handful of years but is in GOAT conversation.

Now, combining longevity and volume is GOATness.

Gronk played 9 years. He has the volume. He is certainly worthy of GOAT discussion.

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He’s most certainly in the discussion. He’s smack dab in the middle of it. That said, there may be some differing opinions on whether Tony Gonzalez would be willing to make that type of bold statement, as suggested by another poster. Tony had quite the career and belongs in the middle of the discussion, himself. Both were exceptional TEs, as were a couple/few others.

supafly said:

Gonzalez: 14 pro bowls (almost 3x)
Gronk: 5 pro bowls

Gonzalez: 1,325 catches (getting close to 3x)
Gronk: 521 catches

—-

Tony Gonzalez had a pretty illustrious career, especially when you consider the fact that these were his QBs:

Elvis Grbac, Trent Green, Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, and Matt Ryan.

Click to expand...

supafly said:

He’s most certainly in the discussion. He’s smack dab in the middle of it. That said, there may be some differing opinions on whether Tony Gonzalez would be willing to make that type of bold statement, as suggested by another poster. Tony had quite the career and belongs in the middle of the discussion, himself. Both were exceptional TEs, as were a couple/few others.

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TGon has volume and was great. That's why he's a HoFer.

Gronk was a superior blocker in the run and pass but TGon was also very good .

A force of nature in his prime. Damn, end of an era.

I think deep down we all knew this was coming this year, he’s flirted with the idea for so long and the number of rumours about his wrestling plans made it seem even more likely.

Very sad but grateful to have watched this absolute monster over the years and loved the way he went out in the SB...the perfect ending for him.