Gronk = + - Ben Coates?

[PATSNUTme]

Is it a little too early in the Gronk carreer to start comparing him to Ben Coates?

Two different players with 2 different offenses. But sometimes Gronk reminds me of a young Ben the way he carries tacklers on is back. Ben was not a very good blocker or maybe he was early and then wasn't later, I can't remember.

So, what do you think? Is it now time to think that we have another Ben Coates, or will Gronk have play a little longer to earn that comparision?

 

[Gostkowski for 3]

I think Gronk is a better talent, but you really cant argue with Coates production.

 

[Patriots Nation NY]

I pray they don't wait until the last second to resign him.. extend him prior, and stop playing these little games .. on another note, always liked Coates nickname .. Ben "Winter" Coates ..

 

[everlong]

While I think Coates gets slighted when compared to Shannon the mouth Sharpe if Gronkowski continues on this track he will exceed Ben. He's a bigger threat down the field and a better blocker. Coates was a master of finding the hole in the zone and then dragging guys with him. I don't remember him catching balls 30 yards down field like Gronk.

 

[TheSolderKing]

GRONK is a MUCH better talent. GRONK is merely into his second year, just imagine how much better he will become in time?


CAREER PATRIOT



He will get him extended in year 3. I promise you all.



if we do not do it in year 3 of his deal we will play TAG
Gronk and Welker= Priority for TFB.
I fear we will lose Hernandez though (I hope not)

 

[PatsFan2]

Ben Coates was Great for Bledsoe and the Patriots but he always played second fiddle to Shannon Horsehead Sharpe in the AFC. And Ben's Career tailed off a little earlier than expected...he just ddin't get separation anymore. Gronk is an Absolute Beast! i cannot believe how Big and Agile he is...when CB's start covering your TE that says something. Gronk is Elite...one of BB's best Draft picks since Tom Brady. One more thing Gronk's stats should be boosted in Madden 12.

 

[sbpatfan]

Comparing Coates to Gronk is an insult to Gronk.

 

[fnordcircle]

Comparing Coates to Gronk is an insult to Gronk.

This is one of the most ******ed posts I've ever read on this forum - and that's saying something.

Did you even watch Coates play?

Gronk is great but Coates was able to take over games in a way Gronk hasn't been able to do yet. They're different players in a lot of ways.

I think Gronk is the better pure talent but Coates could exploit a zone like few other receivers, TE or otherwise, could ever do.

 

[patsfan13]

Gronk should be compared to Bravaro who was also a complete TE.

 

[PatsFan2]

While I think Coates gets slighted when compared to Shannon the mouth Sharpe if Gronkowski continues on this track he will exceed Ben. He's a bigger threat down the field and a better blocker. Coates was a master of finding the hole in the zone and then dragging guys with him. I don't remember him catching balls 30 yards down field like Gronk.

Good point Gronk have 12 20+ yards down field catches...that's serious for a man of his statue.

 

[ivanvamp]

Comparing Coates to Gronk is an insult to Gronk.

Ben Coates' best years:

1994 - 96 rec, 1174 yds, 12.2 ypc, 7 td
1995 - 94 rec, 915 yds, 10.9 ypc, 6 td
1997 - 66 rec, 737 yds, 11.2 ypc, 8 td

Gronkowski's first two years:
2010 - 42 rec, 546 yds, 13.0 ypc, 10 td
2011 - 53 rec, 709 yds, 13.6 ypc, 8 td

Gronk is on pace for this line: 94 rec, 1260 yds, 13.6 ypc, 14 td

That would blow away Coates' best season.

I loved Ben Coates and he was an animal, but Gronkowski basically does *everything* better than Coates did. He's faster, he's bigger (6'6", 265 vs. 6'5", 245), he has unbelievable hands, and he's a great blocker.

 

[Boston Boxer]

Is it a little too early in the Gronk carreer to start comparing him to Ben Coates?

Two different players with 2 different offenses. But sometimes Gronk reminds me of a young Ben the way he carries tacklers on is back. Ben was not a very good blocker or maybe he was early and then wasn't later, I can't remember.

So, what do you think? Is it now time to think that we have another Ben Coates, or will Gronk have play a little longer to earn that comparision?

i think you answered your own question with your first statement in the post. It looks very promising, but it is a little too early to compare

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Gronk should be compared to Bravaro who was also a complete TE.

Great comparison. He reminds me of Bavaro.

 

[Nitro]

Comparing Coates to Gronk is an insult to Gronk.

You quite clearly never seen coates play huh.

 

[mgteich]

It is clear that many here never saw Coates play.

 

[ivanvamp]

Gronk is great but Coates was able to take over games in a way Gronk hasn't been able to do yet.

Here are some of the best games, statistically, of Coates' career...games where he "took over":

9/4/94, 39-35 loss at Miami: 8 rec, 161 yds, 2 td
9/11/94, 38-35 loss vs Buf: 9 rec, 124 yds, 2 td
10/9/94, 21-17 loss vs Raiders: 9 rec, 123 yds, 0 td
11/26/95, 35-25 win at Buf: 6 rec, 60 yds, 3 td
12/16/95, 41-27 loss at Pit: 11 rec, 83 yds, 2 td
11/3/96, 42-23 win vs Mia: 5 rec, 135 yds, 2 td
11/1/98, 21-16 win at Ind: 10 rec, 109 yds, 1 td


Here are the best games in Gronkowski's short career, statistically speaking:

11/14/10, 39-26 win at Pit: 5 rec, 72 yds, 3 td
1/2/11, 38-7 win vs Mia: 6 rec, 102 yds, 1 td
9/25/11, 34-31 loss at Buf: 7 rec, 109 yds, 2 td
11/6/11, 24-20 loss vs NYG: 8 rec, 101 yds, 1 td
11/13/11, 37-16 win at NYJ: 8 rec, 113 yds, 2 td

Those games compare favorably with Coates' best games. Brady spreads the ball around more than Bledsoe did (he often locked onto Coates), and he's more accurate. But from a purely statistical standpoint, Gronkowski's big games have been every bit as big as Coates' have been.

 

[sbpatfan]

I saw Coates play and Gronk is clearly better.

 

[everlong]

Gronk is on pace for this line: 94 rec, 1260 yds, 13.6 ypc, 14 td

That would be an NFL record for a TE. Not Winslow, Ditka, Newsome, Gates, Gonzalez, Novachek, Jones..........nobody.

 

[ivanvamp]

It is clear that many here never saw Coates play.

Heh. That's probably true. I thought he was unbelievable. I remember a game against Miami where he literally dragged guys down the field with him.

But Gronk is bigger, faster, has better hands, and makes athletic receptions that Coates could not make. The 2nd TD that Gronk made last night was the kind of play that I don't recall Coates ever making, as great as he was.

NFL Videos: QB Brady to TE Gronkowski, 5-yd, pass, TD

Honestly, right now, I cannot think of a better TE in the NFL than Gronkowski, and the guy is just in his 2nd year. He has a legit chance to surpass anything Coates did for them.

 

[IllegalContact]

This is one of the most ******ed posts I've ever read on this forum - and that's saying something.

Did you even watch Coates play?

Gronk is great but Coates was able to take over games in a way Gronk hasn't been able to do yet. They're different players in a lot of ways.

I think Gronk is the better pure talent but Coates could exploit a zone like few other receivers, TE or otherwise, could ever do.

but coates was not all that much of a blocker