speaking of gronk (no, really)

[RobertWeathers]

That's actually an interesting idea.

I think many NFL players do take some kind of martial arts training.

IIRC Andre Tippet was a multi degree black belt. He said it helped him with balance and leverage.

Scary thought...Gronk in the MMA.

 

[PP2]

I think many NFL players do take some kind of martial arts training.

IIRC Andre Tippet was a multi degree black belt. He said it helped him with balance and leverage.

Scary thought...Gronk in the MMA.

Way back before MMA took off, and when UFC was barely getting off the ground, my favorite (by far) fighter was Royce Gracie. Unlike many of today's fighter, he wasn't the kind to waste time inflicting hurt on his opponents or waste energy unleashing a flurry of punches or just flat out pummeling.

He always took the shortest path from A to B.

His centerpiece strategy was just to patiently probe until he caught or forced the opponent off balance, and boom- before you knew it, they were pinned down and had to tap out. I can't remember, but I'm willing to guarantee that almost all of them suffered no injury. That, to me, is true mastery: winning a battle without actually fighting it.

I imagine there's much that Gronk could learn from this- doing many small things to keep his man off balance or unable to maintain leverage, rather than continually throw out that big-ass stiff arm when he breaks at the stem of his route. Hell, you can see that all the way from the nosebleed section.

 

[Joker]

he's a lawyer. from idaho. and a steeler fan.

holy shyt...talk about three strikes

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Most colleges nowadays will bring guys w/ mma backgrounds to work on hands, feet, core etc (hips included) with athletes.

Wrestling and Football are extremely similar.
Stance, takedown = tackle, hand work to beat your opponent, footwork/base to properly execute, close combat fighting, understanding leverage & how to use it. List goes on.


Hercules Mata'afa (Patriot.-Type.Player.) from WSU was a 2 time runner up St Champ in H.S. & lost to Dane Pestano. He wrestled from kindergarten to JR H.S. His sister Lia wrestled in H.S. & eventually became an mma fighter.

Hercules is an undersized IDL/RUSH prospect. Undersized might be an understatement considering who you believe. Hes 6'2 & has been reported weighing from 235-252.

Great hands, motor & fantastic first step. Understands leverage and how to get out of pinch points. Chase & pursuit maniac. Lines up everywhere.

Reminds a lot, including myself of a smaller Solomon Thomas who was drafted top 5 by SF. It's almost impossible to ignore the Bruschi comp's as well.