A blocking tight end.

[thecore762]

It’s been a while but I got a chance to rewatch this past super bowl between the chiefs and bucs and I gotta say Gronk was a game changer when it came down to blocking, he was man handling the KC defensive ends. The ply action passes were effective when Gronk stayed in and blocked. Also he was great with blocking when it came down to running the ball.
Our run game would be so much more effective if we can get the same type of production at blocking from at least one of our tight ends.
I am excited for this upcoming season, the run game should be better and our offense should be much better than last year with the exception of our QB...

 

[Ollie]

the qb might be better.

 

[Tony2046]

It’s been a while but I got a chance to rewatch this past super bowl between the chiefs and bucs and I gotta say Gronk was a game changer when it came down to blocking, he was man handling the KC defensive ends. The ply action passes were effective when Gronk stayed in and blocked. Also he was great with blocking when it came down to running the ball.
Our run game would be so much more effective if we can get the same type of production at blocking from at least one of our tight ends.
I am excited for this upcoming season, the run game should be better and our offense should be much better than last year with the exception of our QB...

That's what makes Gronk special but unfortunately it will never show up in any records book. It's the difference between Gronk and Kelce and it's a huge difference but not in the eyes of the HOF selection committee so it's basically a selfless skill that only a few recognize. Stat wise Kelce and Gronk look similar but on the field they're miles apart.

 

[DarrylS]

Gronk is special on so many levels, but our current compliment of Henry, Smith are pretty solid. Then behind them are Keene and Assiasi whose abilities are not really known.. not sure if anyone can fulfill the blocking role. Currently our O is much better, on paper, with the two new TE's... I read where Tom House has been working with Cam, so there is some hope then there are OTA's. TC and preseason.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

If all the tackles could stay healthy imagine having Trent Brown play the blocking TE near the goal line. I don't know if he can catch, but i know he can block, and if he ever slipped out on a delay route, Cam could throw it 12 feet in the air and Brown could easily catch it.

Gronk is a one of a kind, he is a special player. (tear)

 

[PP2]

If all the tackles coulds stay healthy imagine having Trent Brown play the blocking TE near the goal line. I don't know if he can catch, but i know he can black, and if he ever slipped out on a delay route, Cam could throw it 12 feet in the air and Brown could easily catch it.

Gronk is a one of a kind, he is a special player. (tear)

What does "he can black" mean?

 

[BTTA]

If all the tackles coulds stay healthy imagine having Trent Brown play the blocking TE near the goal line. I don't know if he can catch, but i know he can black, and if he ever slipped out on a delay route, Cam could throw it 12 feet in the air and Brown could easily catch it.

What does "he can black" mean?

Apparently even @350, Brown has a four foot+ vertical. Maybe that's what he means?!

 

[PaulThePat]

Apparently even @350, Brown has a four foot+ vertical. Maybe that's what he means?!

Alternatively it's a typo and should say "block"

 

[BTTA]

Alternatively it's a typo and should say "block"

Yeah, I think we are on to that as the most likely reason, but not letting it get in the way of a little fun.

 

[Simpelton]

It’s been a while but I got a chance to rewatch this past super bowl between the chiefs and bucs and I gotta say Gronk was a game changer when it came down to blocking, he was man handling the KC defensive ends. The ply action passes were effective when Gronk stayed in and blocked. Also he was great with blocking when it came down to running the ball.
Our run game would be so much more effective if we can get the same type of production at blocking from at least one of our tight ends.
I am excited for this upcoming season, the run game should be better and our offense should be much better than last year with the exception of our QB...

While we're not going to get Gronk level blocking from either of our new TEs, both of them are reportedly competent blockers. Gronk, however, is a monster, huge, athletic, and smarter than he looks. No one blocks like Gronk.

As long as we don't expect Gronk out of the new guys we should be happy with them

 

[stephens44]

It’s been a while but I got a chance to rewatch this past super bowl between the chiefs and bucs and I gotta say Gronk was a game changer when it came down to blocking, he was man handling the KC defensive ends. The ply action passes were effective when Gronk stayed in and blocked. Also he was great with blocking when it came down to running the ball.
Our run game would be so much more effective if we can get the same type of production at blocking from at least one of our tight ends.
I am excited for this upcoming season, the run game should be better and our offense should be much better than last year with the exception of our QB...

The new TE look is not the 2nd coming of Gronk/Hernandez. To me it looks much closer to Graham and Watson. Throw in healthy FBs and young depth at TE and its looking really good for the run game.

 

[jah]

The new TE look is not the 2nd coming of Gronk/Herbandez. To me it looks much closer to Graham and Watson. Throw in healthy FBs and young depth at TE and its looking really good for the run game.

I don't see either comparison as valid, really. Gronk and Hernandez will probably never be matched as a pair, and we may never again find a TE like Gronk who can be equally effective on running and passing plays.

As for Graham and Watson, those 2 were known mostly for their blocking skills (despite Watson's speed), and my understanding of Henry and Smith is they're both better at receiving than blocking.

I think our new TE signings are good enough at blocking, but I hope no one expects they'll be as good as an extra OL out there because that won't be happening.

I'm reminded of that old document where Belichick describes his ideal offensive players for the system and he specifically says tight ends only need to be "helpful" as blockers, not dominant, so the new guys fit that description perfectly. That document also curiously says a TE shouldn't be cast aside just because of a lack of blocking skills...I wonder if that philosophy led to LaCosse.

 

[Simpelton]

BTW I'd rather have 2 good blockers than 1 Gronk. Gronk always did his best line work with another physical TE who can also block at a high level. Either Hernandez or Bennett or Allen. That ensures that they can't overshift the line to deal with just Gronk. He could dominate on his own but with that solid TE2, it's just unfair

 

[PP2]

BTW I'd rather have 2 good blockers than 1 Gronk. Gronk always did his best line work with another physical TE who can also block at a high level. Either Hernandez or Bennett or Allen. That ensures that they can't overshift the line to deal with just Gronk. He could dominate on his own but with that solid TE2, it's just unfair

I'd rather have one Gronk. Unlike two "good blockers" Gronk can block an elite DE and then release into a route or sell one. That alone is a headache for any DC because Gronk is effectively taking out a DE plus a LB or SS.

 

[Sicilian]

I'd rather have one Gronk. Unlike two "good blockers" Gronk can block an elite DE and then release into a route or sell one. That alone is a headache for any DC because Gronk is effectively taking out a DE plus a LB or SS.

Agreed, the biggest value of having someone like Gronk is the defense can't over commit to any one style of play. Winning on offense is all about creating mismatches with your personnel, designing plays to identify and exploit these mismatches, having a QB who can read those defenses and execute against them. TE is one of the best positions to utilize to do this, because they're a hybrid WR/OL, so it's hard to put the same defender on them and have him excel defending both roles.

Henry and Smith will help, because from what we've heard they're both positive receivers and blockers. Neither of them are Gronk, there's no denying that, but they can be used to create similar mismatches.

 

[zipster9]

If Patriots cannot get Fields or Lance, I'd settle for Kyle Pitts.


BillB wasted 2 3rd rounders on scrubs (Keene, Assasi) got hurt in their rookie year...

 

[Tony2046]

BTW I'd rather have 2 good blockers than 1 Gronk. Gronk always did his best line work with another physical TE who can also block at a high level. Either Hernandez or Bennett or Allen. That ensures that they can't overshift the line to deal with just Gronk. He could dominate on his own but with that solid TE2, it's just unfair

I disagree. Gronk didn't need "another physical TE" to do what he does. He was essentially a slightly undersized offensive lineman with speed and great hands. He was/is the ultimate mismatch.

I haven't checked but I wonder if he was the only TE to ever command double coverage.

He's a very rare talent and his true contributions to the game and team will never be fully acknowledged.

When we talk about beasts Gronk is the King.

 

[oldrover]

What does "he can black" mean?

I saw that, and was going to try to work in a phrase about blocking being the "chink in Kelse's armor"... but I thought better of it.

 

[Simpelton]

I disagree. Gronk didn't need "another physical TE" to do what he does.

Did I say he did? What I said is I'd rather have 2 guys who are strong blockers than one super stud. It frees the OC up to make better use of the TE room

 

[Sicilian]

I haven't checked but I wonder if he was the only TE to ever command double coverage.

I highly doubt that. I remember the Patriots devoting two people just to maul Tony Gonzalez at the line near the end zone, and basically any of the "big WR" type TE's would likely be double covered in some respect fairly often. Gronk was special because he could also block, unlike many of those guys though.