Breaking: Gronk to Retire

[Sicilian]

Not old enough (which is becoming a rare thing for me to say as the days roll along) to really know if he's the greatest TE to ever play, but he is without a doubt the greatest I have watched play. His combination of speed, strength, catch radius, and relentless energy made every defender a mismatch for him. Combine that with his superb blocking skills, and there's just no one who did it better. Some guys could match one aspect of his game, but never come close to being the whole package. Congratulations on your retirement Gronk! Live it up!

 

[Bill Lee]

The expectation in Tampa was that he was going to re-sign, so they're probably shocked now. No announcement from them on IG or twitter. Be interesting to see how Brady does with Godwin (coming off ACL injury), Evans, and Gage...

Don't worry, this is just his way of dodging training camp...

 

[ashley]

Only reason I asked about top 5 Boston athlete is that Gronk:
Consensus GOAT at his position.
3 championships with Boston
Literally uncoverable one on one.

Was Bird ever considered the GOAT forward at any time in his career?
Does Gronks 3 rings and all his awards and defining of the TE position move him past Williams?

According to my brother the top 5 are:

Bill Russell
Larry Bird
Tom Brady
Ted Williams
Bobby Orr

 

[sb1]

Don't believe it. He'll be back with the Bucs later in the year.

 

[PatsFan2]

The expectation in Tampa was that he was going to re-sign, so they're probably shocked now. No announcement from them on IG or twitter. Be interesting to see how Brady does with Godwin (coming off ACL injury), Evans, and Gage...

Brady have the old mid season *wink* *wink* with Gronk.

 

[Bill Lee]

Not old enough (which is becoming a rare thing for me to say as the days roll along) to really know if he's the greatest TE to ever play, but he is without a doubt the greatest I have watched play. His combination of speed, strength, catch radius, and relentless energy made every defender a mismatch for him. Combine that with his superb blocking skills, and there's just no one who did it better. Some guys could match one aspect of his game, but never come close to being the whole package. Congratulations on your retirement Gronk! Live it up!

Haven't we learned to not believe off-season retirement announcements?

I'd suggest waiting till Game 1 is over before buying in.

 

[ashley]

Don't believe it. He'll be back with the Bucs later in the year.

Why even announce his retirement than, he could just sit out. I don't know what he'll do, I guess in a month if he doesn't fill out his retirement papers, then we'll know he might come back.

 

[PatsFan2]

Don't believe it. He'll be back with the Bucs later in the year.

Yep I think people are forgetting that Gronk is drama king.

 

[Bill Lee]

-- and --




-- and --





--- and, another contestant comes forth! ---

 

[Sicilian]

According to my brother the top 5 are:

Bill Russell
Larry Bird
Tom Brady
Ted Williams
Bobby Orr

Hard to argue with that list. I think 6-10 makes for a great debate though. Off the top of my head without really thinking too deeply:

David Ortiz
Pedro Martinez
Rob Gronkowski
Ray Bourque
John Hannah

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Don't believe it. He'll be back with the Bucs later in the year.

He might depending on if the Bucs suck it up...

But he's had 20 concussions and over 10 surgeries...maybe he just wants to retire in peace

 

[PatsFan2]

Why even announce his retirement than, he could just sit out. I don't know what he'll do, I guess in a month if he doesn't fill out his retirement papers, then we'll know he might come back.

Tom Brady retirement part I Ash where have you been??

 

[Sicilian]

Haven't we learned to not believe off-season retirement announcements?

I'd suggest waiting till Game 1 is over before buying in.

If this was his first retirement, sure. It would be bold, even for him, to pull that twice. But sure, never say never I suppose.

 

[Bill Lee]

If this was his first retirement, sure. It would be bold, even for him, to pull that twice. But sure, never say never I suppose.

Brett Favre says hi!

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

 

[Sicilian]

Brett Farve says hi!

But that's why Favre stands out, isn't it? Because he's one guy in a league that's had tens of thousands of players retire from it? I'm giving Gronk the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

The Bucs chime in...

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

The HOF list grows a little longer ... Brady can't be far behind. Hopefully they help pave the way for Wilfork, Harrison, Slater, maybe Mankins. We need more guys in. Every fan should care about this.

 

[Bill Lee]

But that's why Favre stands out, isn't it? Because he's one guy in a league that's had tens of thousands of players retire from it? I'm giving Gronk the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise.

I personally think we're looking at a "new normal", but you are of course entitled to your own opinion, my friend.

BTW when I used the meme I was not laughing at you, I was laughing about how something like retirement gets abused when it suits the player.

I personally think Gronk has his price, and Brady will be begging him to come back and it's more likely than not that he will come back.