Gronkowski vs. Witten

[Rob-G]

Today you learned: blocking.

Today you learned: Gronk is a good blocker too, not as good as Witten, but still really good. And in today's NFL, receiving and catching TDs is a more valuable trait than blocking at the TE position. We're not comparing Witten to Jimmy Graham. Gronk is COMPLETE Tight End.

greatest TE ever? Look at Gronks numbers and then look at Tony G's numbers(who played with bums for the majority of his career). If Gronk keeps missing games, no way does he surpass Gonzalez.

Career numbers are not the be all end all. Jerry Rice is the all time leading receiver, but Moss dominated in a way that Rice never did. Favre used to be the all time leading passer, but he was never the GOAT. Witten is very reliable and always seems to extend drives when we need him, but he never possessed the ability to destroy a defense with 1 play like Gronk consistently does on a week to week basis. Gronk averages 15 yards per catch which is ridiculous for a TE and 4 yards more than what Witten averages.



Just cause you play at an elite level longer, doesnt make you better than someone who played at even more elite level for a shorter time.

 

[xwalker]

Comparing Gronk to Witten is like comparing Randy Moss to Jerry Rice.

I was thinking:
Gronk -> Barry Sanders

Witten -> Emmitt Smith

Barry Sanders has incredible highlight plays, but Emmitt did all of the other things better (blocking, short yardage, etc.). The most TDs Sanders had in a season was 16. Emmitt passed that number 3 times in his first 6 years.

I think if Jimmy had it to do over knowing what we all know now and had the option to have Emmitt or Barry on the team, he would have picked Emmitt every time.

In the same scenario, Garrett would pick Witten over Gronk 10 times out of 10.

 

[CATCH17]

I was thinking:
Gronk -> Barry Sanders

Witten -> Emmitt Smith

Barry Sanders has incredible highlight plays, but Emmitt did all of the other things better (blocking, short yardage, etc.). The most TDs Sanders had in a season was 16. Emmitt passed that number 3 times in his first 6 years.

I think if Jimmy had it to do over knowing what we all know now and had the option to have Emmitt or Barry on the team, he would have picked Emmitt every time.

In the same scenario, Garrett would pick Witten over Gronk 10 times out of 10.

Ehhh... I think Barry is in a different class than Gronk because Barry was more reliable.


Maybe it's a Adrian Peterson vs Emmitt Smith comparison more than Emmitt vs Barry.

 

[sean10mm]

Gronk had serious back problems in college, missed like an entire season in college after back surgery IIRC.

When Gronk is healthy he literally has no peers at the TE position, maybe in NFL history. But from the beginning he wasn't likely to be the guy who strings together a dozen 16 start seasons.

 

[perrykemp]

Gronk had serious back problems in college, missed like an entire season in college after back surgery IIRC.

When Gronk is healthy he literally has no peers at the TE position, maybe in NFL history. But from the beginning he wasn't likely to be the guy who strings together a dozen 16 start seasons.

He sorta the Calvin Johnson of TEs in that way.

"Peak" Gronk is the best TE in NFL history just like "Peak" Megatron for WR.

Having said that, player's careers aren't measured by peak, they are primarily measured by the whole of their career which factors in longevity.

 

[etw926]

becoming the Romo of TEs.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Ehhh... I think Barry is in a different class than Gronk because Barry was more reliable.


Maybe it's a Adrian Peterson vs Emmitt Smith comparison more than Emmitt vs Barry.

The name you're looking for is Terrell Davis.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Id say Gronk is Moss, Gonzalez is Rice, Witten is Irvin.

Sharpe must be TO

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Comparing Gronk to Witten is like comparing Randy Moss to Jerry Rice.

True moss is the better player he is who you would start a team with to beat the space jam monsters but you would rather have the rice career under your belt.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Pro Football Reference calculates an "Approximate Value" for each player every season. It is what it is; you can give it as much or as little credence as you like. The numbers for Gronk and Witten are informative, though. From best season to worst:

Gronk: 14, 12, 12, 8, 7, 5
Witten: 13, 9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 4, 3

What does this mean?

 

[windjc]

Witten has had more impressive career. Not even close.

 

[Tabascocat]

If they both played in the exact same amount of gamers over, let's say 12 years.......Gronk would dominate him offensively. But, Gronk doesn't do the intangibles as well IMO.

Yet here we are and Witten is still rolling while da Gronk can't stay on the field and in no way, shape or form should Rob even be in the mention of top 5.

If he can get and stay healthy for quite a few more years, then I can see Gronk going down as the best ever TE.

Until then, he is an athletic freak who dominates IF he is on the field.

 

[JJHLH1]

NFL Network is reporting that Gronk needs surgery for a herniated disk. He will be out for at least 6-8 weeks. May be ready for the Super Bowl.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

My comparison would be more along the lines of Earl Campbell or Terrell Davis compared to Emmitt. They may have shined brighter over a shorter period of time but none had the durability.

 

[Swanny]

I thought Gronk was considered a pretty good blocker? At 265 pounds he certainly has the size for it.

Edit: I just did a quick search and it looks like the general consensus in Gronk is one of the top blocking TEs in the NFL -- a couple of years ranked by PFF as #2 in the league in blocking beyond Marty Bennett.

Because he rarely does it.

 

[NumOneQB]

When 100% healthy, it's not even close, you go with Gronkowski 10 times out of the 10. Key word is healthy. Witten is a solid TE who's had a hall of fame caliber career. Durability certainly comes to mind when you think about Witten....

 

[sean10mm]

My comparison would be more along the lines of Earl Campbell or Terrell Davis compared to Emmitt. They may have shined brighter over a shorter period of time but none had the durability.

This will probably be how it works out.

One thing that Gronk has that Witten doesn't is a Super Bowl ring.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Gronk
88 games
68 TDs
Averages 1 TD every 5.9 catches

Witten
218 games
62 TDs
Averages 1 TD every 17.2 receptions

 

[NextGenBoys]

To me Gronk has alway been a splash player, he is a great player but I woul take the grinder Witt over him. Gronk plays in a system that is good for him, I don't think he would have the same numbers if he played with Cowboys

This is hilarious. He would put up insane numbers no matter what team he would be on. Dude is an all time talent at the TE position.

 

[jrumann59]

Another Reason to hate Gronk his brother is responsible for Romo's first broken collar bone.