News: Rico gets it!

[LocimusPrime]

This not targeted at anyone but Gronk can block, and he’s good at it







https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2017/09/25/why-rob-gronkowski-enjoyed-blocking-j-j-watt/


"I actually think he likes doing it,” Alexander said of Gronk's willingness as a blocker via 247Sports. “A lot of tight ends don’t want to do it, but he actually kind of relishes the moment where he can maybe drive you back. He had a play maybe three or four years ago where he actually drove, it might have been a safety, like, out of the end zone and put him on his back.”


So there you have it. As if being one of the best pass-catching tight ends in football wasn't enough, Gronk also dominates in the blocking game.


While watching the big man stuff a pass-rusher won't give you the same chills as when he hauls in a one-handed, double covered pass, it probably does for Bill Belichick and Co.

 

[LocimusPrime]

EAST RUTHERFORD -- A lot has been made this week of the challenges the Giants face in defending Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the passing game.

But while Gronkowski is the NFL's preeminent receiving threat at his position, he is also a weapon in the running game. Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who spent 11 seasons on the Giants' coaching staff, says Gronkowski's blocking ability is right up there with Giants great Mark Bavaro.

"Yeah, he's one of the best blockers," Belichick said. "I'll put him there with Bavaro in terms of the guys I've coached. ... It'd be hard for me to put anybody past Bavaro, just because of the number of times he blocked (Eagles Hall of Fame defensive end) Reggie White with no help.

"We ran those 38-Boss (outside runs) and all that, and they were in that over front and Reggie was the six-technique, and Bavaro blocked him. There was no double team. He just blocked him. Now that was a good battle. Reggie got him a few times, too."

https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/11/patriots_coach_bill_belichick_rob_gronkowskis_bloc.html

 

[Captain-Crash]

but can he rap..... Gronk sucks.. we have the legend.

 

[LocimusPrime]

but can he rap..... Gronk sucks.. we have the legend.

Idk where people get that Gronk can’t block

 

[LocimusPrime]

1. 
   Touchdowns and yards are all great but these are tight ends we are talking about not wide receivers. The tight end was created as a blocking receiver and if one cannot block then they cannot be a good tight end.
   
   Graham is a basketball product good for jumping and catching the ball, but not one for blocking. Gronk is a throwback tight end breathing life back in a changed tight end position. There is no doubt that this Patriots stud is one of the best blockers in the league.
   
   "He likes to block and takes pride in having a good block. He gets excited about that. I think he enjoys that part of the game. He does a pretty good job," Belichick said of Gronkowsk

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...owski-is-the-best-tight-end-in-the-nfl#slide3

1. 
   

 

[aria]

Rico sucks, I don’t understand the obsession with him. The one thing I do know is that if Romo were still our QB he would be a top 5 TE, no doubt.

 

[Captain-Crash]

we might as well see if we can get escobar back.. nobody would be able to cover to slow lumber sloths...... can you say super bowl.....

 

[plymkr]

Whats the little things? Its 2018 it's a passing league with dynamic playmakers at the te position. That's what we need, not another witten.

Yeah Thank God Witten retired so Rico Gathers can take his spot.

Witten=first ballot HOFer
Gathers= has a cool name

I don't understand the fascination with Gathers, we've been talking about him for 2 years now and he hasn't done anything meaningful. Fans can't will a player to be good. Let's scrap Gathers and try to get another basketball power forward to play TE. At least we can talk about a new guy and not Gathers. The Rico Gathers experiment failed. I'm glad we tried it but it's time to move on.

 

[zerofill]

Yeah Thank God Witten retired so Rico Gathers can take his spot.

Witten=first ballot HOFer
Gathers= has a cool name

I don't understand the fascination with Gathers, we've been talking about him for 2 years now and he hasn't done anything meaningful. Fans can't will a player to be good. Let's scrap Gathers and try to get another basketball power forward to play TE. At least we can talk about a new guy and not Gathers. The Rico Gathers experiment failed. I'm glad we tried it but it's time to move on.

I don't think he is an every down TE. I just see a use for him in the red zone. He is 6' 8" tall, nearly 300lbs, and seems to have descent hands. If he is turned around in front of a DB in the end zone... They are lucky if they see daylight, let alone stop the catch. That is where I see a team using a huge guy, with hands, that can't block.. This might even force double coverage in the end zone on him. I saw one DB hit his arm on a pass he caught and his arm didn't even move. He was just too strong in that regard, for an average DB.

So think of him like the William Perry of TEs, for the red zone. That is how I always pictured using him.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Rico made 2 TD in the blue and white scrimmage. He is also making some difference making blocks. He also has looked lost in space when trying to pull.

Gathers is 6'6" 285 lbs. He has been making long completions on seam routes in practice. As it stands right now, no other TE is a better pass catcher. Not Jarwin, not Swaim, and certainly not Schultz. He is pretty dominant at the top of routes and has the body control and hands to be an easy target. Yes, he is raw but nonetheless he is productive and explosive.

He needs to continue to working on his blocking but that too is improving. I think he is more than quick and strong enough to handle things inline particularly on man calls. It's obvious he has put in work to improve this offseason. You can see him sustain and finish blocks. His hand placement and footwork/bend looks a lot better than last season.

His issues have been assignments and a general lack of experience. Zone concepts are still a work in progress. He reminds me of Parnell learning to block. Parnell had a similar road from basketball like Gathers. Parnell would have snaps where he would space out blocking frequently. Rico did that pulling in space today.

We need someone to work the middle of the field and take advantage of Beasley double teams.

 

[RoboQB]

Idk where people get that Gronk can’t block

Thanks for posting that. I thought my head was going to explode.
Gronk can't block!?! Pfft.

 

[plymkr]

I don't think he is an every down TE. I just see a use for him in the red zone. He is 6' 8" tall, nearly 300lbs, and seems to have descent hands. If he is turned around in front of a DB in the end zone... They are lucky if they see daylight, let alone stop the catch. That is where I see a team using a huge guy, with hands, that can't block.. This might even force double coverage in the end zone on him. I saw one DB hit his arm on a pass he caught and his arm didn't even move. He was just too strong in that regard, for an average DB.

So think of him like the William Perry of TEs, for the red zone. That is how I always pictured using him.

Ok, I can see that. Good analogy of him being the William Perry of TEs. I really want to see him in preseason and see what he can do. If I see a play like you just described then I'm flexible with my opinion. Lol, I'm always a little flexible with my opinions if the guy makes plays. Good response to my post and thanks for the info. I honestly don't remember a play he's ever made so I'm happy to hear he's done something.

 

[Captain-Crash]

let's get a 8 footer to block extra points and field goal... since we have a lot of spots left on the 53

heck why not get a "little person" to be throw from 5 yards out for td.. hand him the ball and throw him for td's....

keep the experiments going.

 

[Bullflop]

Obviously, the C-boys place a high priority on blocking and running correct routes. Those things have been problematic for Rico, judging from the reports so far. Will he master it between now and the final cuts? Right now, he seems to be fighting time. We're sure to see more in due time.

 

[Cowpolk]

Huh?
We are earthlings ...

Speak for yourself grerg drek werg guunzxk

 

[SuspectCorner]

It often takes college WR all stars years to learn the NFL route tree. Some never learn it at all.

Rico was not going to stroll into the NFL and be a receiving all star. He could have strolled in, learned to block, learned some short routes, and been an asset in short yardage as a dual threat for blocking and receiving. That would have given him a career to develop his receiving skills.

Blocking was always Rico's path to the field.

A guy with his size can't block? For TE's it is mostly about effectively screening off pursuit. I guess they no longer teach power forwards how to block out for rebounds. Jeesh... just get in the way big man - try to gum up pursuit lanes.

 

[J_Allen]

I had no idea playing tight end was this hard. He's had two years to learn it and a rookie has come in and surpassed him on the depth chart.

 

[noshame]

He may not start, but will come in and make big plays, and next year he'll be the starter. Heck, he may led the team in TD's before the season is over. I would not want to guard him in the end zone or short yardage, it'll either be a first down, TD or a flag.

 

[Blake]

A guy with his size can't block? For TE's it is mostly about effectively screening off pursuit. I guess they no longer teach power forwards how to block out for rebounds. Jeesh... just get in the way big man - try to gum up pursuit lanes.

In today's basketball culture, sadly, probably not so much. Physicality of that game is disappearing.

 

[Doomsday101]

Gathers will get his chance to prove himself in these upcoming pre season games. He knows what is expected of him and it is his job to go out and show the coaches he belongs. I don't think coaches are trying to run him off I think coaches are pushing him to work harder. This team did not keep him around for the past 2 season in hope of him failing but I think now is the moment of truth, Gathers needs to show himself as a TE and all that goes with the position in Dallas