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View Full Version : Dan Gronkowski proving to be valuable addition..



robert ethan
09-30-2010, 09:06 PM
With Brady Quinn yet to see game action, and Laurence Maroney struggling in his first appearance, the best veteran addition via trade route seems to be backup tight end/fullback Dan Gronkowski. Despite having been with the team for less than a month, Gronk has moved ahead of former second round pick Richard Quinn on the depth chart at tight end, and filled in for injured fullback Spencer Larsen in the last game.

The 25 year old second year pro who goes a solid 6-6, 260, should have a future in Denver. Despite entering the NCAA as a quarterback (and former wide receiver), the second eldest Gronkowski brother became a top blocker as a tight end. He has the requisite size, long (34 1/2") arms, and huge (10 3/4") mitts. As a senior he showed he could catch the ball as well, pulling down 29 passes as Maryland's second leading receiver behind Darrius Heyward-Bey, the top drafted wideout in 2009.

As a perennial Academic All American and Rhodes Sholarship candidate, he has quickly picked up the team's offensive schemes, and he comes with terrific strength (33 reps in college) and surprising speed (4.7 40) for his size. Dan was among the top two or three performers at his postion in every test at the Combine in 2009. Keep an eye on this guy.

Ravage!!!
09-30-2010, 09:12 PM
Ugh.. he's already moved ahead of Quinn? Well... hmm... not good.

I Eat Staples
09-30-2010, 09:13 PM
What has he done for us?

Buff
09-30-2010, 09:20 PM
2 receptions for 4 yards and climbing ahead of R. Quinn on the depth chart is nothing to write home about.

The jury is still out on Gronkowski, let's give it another month or two before we jump to any conclusions good or bad.

Ravage!!!
09-30-2010, 09:22 PM
Is it safe to say that Quinn is a bust, yet?

Buff
09-30-2010, 09:24 PM
Is it safe to say that Quinn is a bust, yet?

I think we have to give him until the end of the year, but it doesn't look good. Hopefully being inactive will light a fire under his ass.

Ravage!!!
09-30-2010, 09:28 PM
I think we have to give him until the end of the year, but it doesn't look good. Hopefully being inactive will light a fire under his ass.

Better be a big fire :laugh:

Traveler
09-30-2010, 09:44 PM
Is it safe to say that Quinn is a bust, yet?

According to Kaylore on the other website, there is rumor that Quinn could be cut soon.


This is just something I heard and may or may not come true based on if he can practice better and improve. Apparently his mistakes are becoming enough of a problem to keep him inactive last game and he may be cut mid season if he doesn't start to play more disciplined. Again, this is no sure thing and if things get better it will be a non issue. Don't shoot the messenger.

Bosco
09-30-2010, 10:10 PM
Is it safe to say that Quinn is a bust, yet?

It will be if he doesn't get his head back in the game real soon. His blocking has been solid against Jacksonville and Seattle, but as we've seen with Smith and Hillis, Josh won't hesitate to move on from players who can't get a mental grasp on the game.

Buff
09-30-2010, 10:17 PM
Unrelated, but I'd also like to see my boy Dan Graham catch the ******* ball a little more often when it's thrown his way.

Dzone
09-30-2010, 10:24 PM
Good read. Didnt know much about him until you posted this. I would say that there is reason to feel good about this pickup. Just wondering why Detroit let him go. They obviously like sheffler better

Bosco
09-30-2010, 10:25 PM
Unrelated, but I'd also like to see my boy Dan Graham catch the ******* ball a little more often when it's thrown his way.

He's on pace for 37 catches this year, which would be the 2nd highest total of his career.

Buff
09-30-2010, 10:31 PM
He's on pace for 37 catches this year, which would be the 2nd highest total of his career.

But he always seems to scatter in a few bonehead drops in the clutch. Like the drive killer to open the game against the Colts.

BeefStew25
09-30-2010, 10:35 PM
I watched Gron warm up in JAX. Bow legged as shit. Great ball sack placement.

robert ethan
09-30-2010, 11:42 PM
Good read. Didnt know much about him until you posted this. I would say that there is reason to feel good about this pickup. Just wondering why Detroit let him go. They obviously like sheffler better

I think Detroit wanted Scheffler to make life easier for Stafford. Tony is a big target with a few years of experience. As well they have Pettigrew who was a first round pick, and an experienced vet in Heller for blocking purposes. Lions were overloaded at the position, but seemed to like Gronkowski. If you can get something for your fourth stringer at a position, that generally means he has some upside.

dogfish
10-01-2010, 02:02 AM
guys, i think it's become pretty obvious that robert ethan's real name begins with a "gronk" and ends with a "kowski". . .

:D


hey man, welcome to the team (or is rob your actual name?). . . no worries, we won't out you-- just mash somebody's face in the dirt this weekend. . .

Elevation inc
10-01-2010, 02:18 AM
well he did have a good rating the last 2 games as a blocker.....we dont use TE's alot for catching the ball but he certainly is better than quinn and can play FB as well and actually block from there succesfully........

dogfish
10-01-2010, 02:36 AM
well he did have a good rating the last 2 games as a blocker.....we dont use TE's alot for catching the ball but he certainly is better than quinn and can play FB as well and actually block from there succesfully........

all joking aside, i did notice him making a few nice blocks against jacksonville-- i haven't noticed him much the past two weeks, but i forgot to record the seattle game, and haven't felt much like re-watching indy. . . i do suspect that he may well have permanently surpassed quinn-- if anything, i think mcD's doghouse might be even more deadly than shanahan's. . .

oh well. . . i thought it was a horrible pick from the moment we made it, so i won't be surprised if it doesn't pan out. . . as for gronkowski. . . he hasn't been here near long enough to form much of an impression of him yet, we'll see. . . given that we don't feature the TEs much in this offense, there's no reason we shouldn't be able to fill the position with later round players, especially a guy that does have good measureables. . . i always hear ex-players say that once you get your basic technique down, blocking is almost all desire and attitude, and blocking is most of what he's going to be asked to do. . .

Elevation inc
10-01-2010, 02:39 AM
all joking aside, i did notice him making a few nice blocks against jacksonville-- i haven't noticed him much the past two weeks, but i forgot to record the seattle game, and haven't felt much like re-watching indy. . . i do suspect that he may well have permanently surpassed quinn-- if anything, i think mcD's doghouse might be even more deadly than shanahan's. . .

oh well. . . i thought it was a horrible pick from the moment we made it, so i won't be surprised if it doesn't pan out. . . as for gronkowski. . . he hasn't been here near long enough to form much of an impression of him yet, we'll see. . . given that we don't feature the TEs much in this offense, there's no reason we shouldn't be able to fill the position with later round players, especially a guy that does have good measureables. . . i always hear ex-players say that once you get your basic technique down, blocking is almost all desire and attitude, and blocking is most of what he's going to be asked to do. . .


i think gronwkowski is the player MCD thought quinn would be, tough smart versatile and a great blocker....richard quinn will be gone soon its coming it was a horrible pick, it happens and we move on.....MCd doesnt hold players based on draft status thank god, so i suspect moss and quin will get walking papers soon.....hopefully when darrell Reid is healthy again in late October we pick him up and send moss packing.......i pray for this.....

Elevation inc
10-01-2010, 02:41 AM
all joking aside, i did notice him making a few nice blocks against jacksonville-- i haven't noticed him much the past two weeks, but i forgot to record the seattle game, and haven't felt much like re-watching indy. . . i do suspect that he may well have permanently surpassed quinn-- if anything, i think mcD's doghouse might be even more deadly than shanahan's. . .

oh well. . . i thought it was a horrible pick from the moment we made it, so i won't be surprised if it doesn't pan out. . . as for gronkowski. . . he hasn't been here near long enough to form much of an impression of him yet, we'll see. . . given that we don't feature the TEs much in this offense, there's no reason we shouldn't be able to fill the position with later round players, especially a guy that does have good measureables. . . i always hear ex-players say that once you get your basic technique down, blocking is almost all desire and attitude, and blocking is most of what he's going to be asked to do. . .


he made some nice blocks from FB in the indy game, and his blocking at TE is better so far than anything we have seen from richard quinn...ever.......

BroncoBJ
10-01-2010, 03:13 AM
Out of all the picks that McDaniels has had, the Quinn one is the one I hated the most. I just remember seeing that we traded 2 3rd's to move up in the 2nd to draft a TE that would have probably went undrafted. Just sucked. Also wasn't real sure why we had to waste 2 draft picks to move up and get him since we had Graham and Scheffler. But we'll wait and see on him.

I disliked this one even more then the Smith pick. I didn't like trading a 1st to go get him. But I actually liked him in college and thought he was legit. But just felt like the Quinn pick was a waste. But every team has thier wasted picks. I hope he proves me wrong and does something for us 1 day.

rcsodak
10-01-2010, 04:05 PM
But he always seems to scatter in a few bonehead drops in the clutch. Like the drive killer to open the game against the Colts.
Who you referring to? Gonk or Shef?
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Buff
10-01-2010, 04:08 PM
Who you referring to? Gonk or Shef?
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Graham.

rcsodak
10-01-2010, 04:10 PM
"Ex qb in college".....Anybody else see a trick play in the future?
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Bosco
10-01-2010, 04:15 PM
Out of all the picks that McDaniels has had, the Quinn one is the one I hated the most. I just remember seeing that we traded 2 3rd's to move up in the 2nd to draft a TE that would have probably went undrafted. Just sucked. Also wasn't real sure why we had to waste 2 draft picks to move up and get him since we had Graham and Scheffler. But we'll wait and see on him.

I disliked this one even more then the Smith pick. I didn't like trading a 1st to go get him. But I actually liked him in college and thought he was legit. But just felt like the Quinn pick was a waste. But every team has thier wasted picks. I hope he proves me wrong and does something for us 1 day.

Well first off, we traded those two 3rd rounders for a 2nd AND a 4th, not just the 2nd.

Secondly, we had to do that to get Quinn, otherwise the Texans were going to take him with their 3rd rounder.

turftoad
10-01-2010, 04:42 PM
Well first off, we traded those two 3rd rounders for a 2nd AND a 4th, not just the 2nd.

Secondly, we had to do that to get Quinn, otherwise the Texans were going to take him with their 3rd rounder.

Sounds like if the Texans still want him, they'll be able to get him for ......... nothing.

And....... I've never heard the Texan were going to take him with their third rounder. Link?

Bosco
10-01-2010, 04:54 PM
And....... I've never heard the Texan were going to take him with their third rounder. Link? If you want to go doing through my older posts, I posted a link where Quinn's agent went on record saying that the Texan's GM had told him they were going to draft him in the 3rd and even had a bet over whether he would still be there.

robert ethan
10-01-2010, 04:59 PM
Sounds like if the Texans still want him, they'll be able to get him for ......... nothing.

And....... I've never heard the Texan were going to take him with their third rounder. Link?

12 catchs in 4 years of college isn't bad. If you're a lineman or a linebacker. Completely mystifying pick.:confused:

broncobryce
10-01-2010, 05:43 PM
If you want to go doing through my older posts, I posted a link where Quinn's agent went on record saying that the Texan's GM had told him they were going to draft him in the 3rd and even had a bet over whether he would still be there.


His agent, Peter Schaffer, said it wasn't one team making a gigantic reach. He said he fielded calls from a few teams that wanted Quinn in the middle of the second round, but they traded their picks or passed on Quinn to fill other needs. Schaffer said Quinn would have gone in the first few picks of the third round.

Before the draft, Schaffer said he talked to Texans general manager Rick Smith, who wanted Quinn in the middle of the third round.

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/sports/quinn-54275-round-agent.html#ixzz119LXoNfM

MileHighCrew
10-01-2010, 06:05 PM
The Phonz made the first pick of his career last week

dogfish
10-01-2010, 06:20 PM
IMO, this somewhat begs the question; just because some sites had him rated in the area we took him, does that automatically make it a solid pick? not necessarily, as far as i'm concerned. . . that type of ranking certainly has some validity if someone calls it a reach and you're debating it. . . but saying that he wasn't a reach according to that criteria isn't automatically the same as saying it was a good pick for us. . .

we had one of if not the best blocking TE in the league under contract for big money-- even if mcD had moved scheffler immediately, you're still spending a high pick on a guy who's not slated to be more than a backup/sub-package/situational player for the foreseeable future. . . i understand that blocking from the TE position is important in mcD's scheme, but you should be able to fill that role with a later pick, or quite easily with an inexpensive veteran FA most years. . . or by trading one of your stiffs to another team right before the start of the season, for that matter. . . :laugh:

i'm not saying every second round pick needs to be an immediate starter or anything ridiculous like that, but it would at least be nice to spend most of your picks in that range on guys that you at least think can be starters within a reasonable time. . . it's one thing for a team with a deep, balanced roster to spend higher picks for situational players like pass rush specialists or complimentary backs that are expected to see a lot of touches, slot receivers, etc. . . but it just never struck me as a good idea to trade up for a part-time #2 TE when our defensive front seven was so utterly devoid of talent. . .

i just can't see how he was a "must have". . . not saying they shouldn't have drafted him, period, but i think they overvalued him. . . hold your f'n water. . . if he falls to your next pick, take him, but don't trade up and give up value elsewhere. . . it wouldn't have hurt my feelings a bit if the texans had taken him. . . oh well. . .

i hated the move at the time, and knowing that nfldraftscout and PFW had him in or close to that range did little to make me feel better about it. . . i never really understood the justification. . . even if you think he's going to be an excellent blocker, i can't see spending a pick at the end of the 2nd for a guy that is purely one-dimensional. . . the explanation that i saw was that "he showed solid hands in combine drills, and didn't get many chances in his college offense". . .

okaaaay. . . i suppose that's good as far as it goes, but it sure doesn't go that far with me. . . it's just pure projection that he's going to be able to contribute much of anything in the passing game, because he's never done it in a real football situation. . .

it's one of my concerns about josh's drafting so far. . . for a coach who really needs production out of his young guys ASAP due to all our aging or departed vets, he seems exceptionally willing to gamble on guys who don't look all that pro-ready, or for one reason or another have doubts about their capacity to contribute quickly. . .

at least in quinn's case it was just one aspect of his game. . . looks like the gamble is going to pay off in ayers' case. . . and thomas certainly made a nice impact against seattle, although i do need to see it at least a few more times before declaring him "arrived". . . orton's play is probably pushing back tebow's timetable, and the play of our vet receivers obviously reduces any pressure to get thomas or decker out there-- decker in particular is probably going to end up getting the equivalent of a redshirt season. . .

so, all in all, so far so good. . . obviously draft grades can't be fully evaluated for a few years in most cases, but the plan seems to be on track as far as it's gotten. . . i do think josh's seeming penchant for taking raw, high-upside types with his high picks is something to keep an eye on-- especially if we continue to go after guys with current injury concerns. . . i'm very wary of that sort of thing after toviessi and watts. . . :huh: phase three needs to consist largely of drafting some young talent for the front seven-- i really question the plan's ability to succeed if that doesn't happen. . .

it would be big if some of the lesser-touted young guys we've acquired can step up and patch some holes on the depth chart-- leaving us more picks to address the glaring and immediate needs. . . with a roster in transition, guys like gronkowski, cassius vaughn, stanley daniels, jason hunter and matt willis all have a golden opportunity to stick on an NFL roster-- and if they perform well enough, potentially a chance to carve out a long-term role. . .

Lonestar
10-01-2010, 06:56 PM
IMO, this somewhat begs the question; just because some sites had him rated in the area we took him, does that automatically make it a solid pick? not necessarily, as far as i'm concerned. . . that type of ranking certainly has some validity if someone calls it a reach and you're debating it. . . but saying that he wasn't a reach according to that criteria isn't automatically the same as saying it was a good pick for us. . .

we had one of if not the best blocking TE in the league under contract for big money-- even if mcD had moved scheffler immediately, you're still spending a high pick on a guy who's not slated to be more than a backup/sub-package/situational player for the foreseeable future. . . i understand that blocking from the TE position is important in mcD's scheme, but you should be able to fill that role with a later pick, or quite easily with an inexpensive veteran FA most years. . . or by trading one of your stiffs to another team right before the start of the season, for that matter. . . :laugh:

i'm not saying every second round picks needs to be an immediate starter or anything ridiculous like that, but it would at least be nice to spend most of your picks in that range on guys that you at least think can be starters within a reasonable time. . . it's one thing for a team with a deep, balanced roster to spend higher picks for situational players like pass rush specialists or complimentary backs that are expected to see a lot of touches, slot receivers, etc. . . but it just never struck me as a good idea to trade up for a part-time #2 TE when our defensive front seven was so utterly devoid of talent. . .

i hated it at the time, and knowing that nfldraftscout and PFW had him in or close to that range did little to make me feel better about it. . . i never really understood the justification. . . even if you think he's going to be an excellent blocker, i can't see spending a pick at the end of the 2nd for a guy that is purely one-dimensional. . . the explanation that i saw was that "he showed solid hands in combine drills, and didn't get many chances in his college offense". . .

okaaaay. . . i suppose that's good as far as it goes, but it sure doesn't go that far with me. . . it's just pure projection that he's going to be able to contribute much of anything in the passing game, because he's never done it in a real football situation. . .

it's one of my complaints about josh's drafting so far. . . for a coach who really needs production out of his young guys ASAP due to all our aging or departed vets, he seems exceptionally willing to gamble on guys who don't look all that pro-ready, or for one reason or another have doubts about their capacity to contribute quickly. . .

at least in quinn's case it was just one aspect of his game. . . looks like the gamble is going to pay off in ayers' case. . . and thomas certainly made a nice impact against seattle, although i do need to see it at least a few more times before declaring him "arrived". . . orton's play is probably pushing back tebow's timetable, and the play of our vet receivers obviously reduces any pressure to get thomas or decker out there-- decker in particular is probably going to end up getting the equivalent of a redshirt season. . .

so, all in all, so far so good. . . obviously draft grades can't be fully evaluated for a few years in most cases, but the plan seems to be on track as far as it's gotten. . . i do think josh's seeming penchant for taking raw, high-upside types with his high picks is something to keep an eye on-- especially if we continue to go after guys with current injury concerns. . . i'm very wary of that sort of thing after toviessi and watts. . . :huh: phase three needs to consist largely of drafting some young talent for the front seven-- i really question the plan's ability to succeed if that doesn't happen. . .

it would be big if some of the lesser-touted young guys we've acquired can step up and patch some holes on the depth chart-- leaving us more picks to address the glaring and immediate needs. . . with a roster in transition, guys like gronkowski, cassius vaughn, stanley daniels, jason hunter and matt willis all have a golden opportunity to make an NFL roster-- and if they perform well enough, potentially a chance to carve out a long-term role. . .

good post we have a lot of holes to fill and even more to fil down the line the next couple of years with veterans either approaching retirement time or contract due to retire.

I like what I see for the long term he is filling the slots with quality guys and shows NO MERCY to someone that can't cut it. will be gone in a heart beat if they do not work out.

Something that I like instead of holding on to them until the third TC and cutting them after the furiour has calmed down they slide away in the dark.

I do not think watts was a current injury that was supposed to heal. So please do not lump him in with a maybe he will be a good player.

He was damaged goods with ZERO hope of ever recovering use of the hand that a way beyond stupid use of a#2.

Ravage!!!
10-01-2010, 10:00 PM
Two ways to look at that. Brees didn't break out until his third year. Getting rid of high-draft choices that early could be looked upon as someone not willing to keepthe bad, or, since the fans seems to continue to say it "takes three years" to develop a rookie.....might seem foolish to give up on a high round so quickly considering the signing bonus you gave them.

Dog had the best point. Doesn't matter what scouts graded. Everyone knew when that player was drafted that it was a "what?" kind of pick that had everyone :confused:

But we also know it normally takes 3 years for a NT to really develop in the NFL. Dorsey in KC is a perfect example. So was the dude in NE. Now, if we draft some DTs in next years draft, we are talking another three years for those guys to finally come into their own.

If we would have used those picks early to get some defensive help, instead say... a rb.... then we would be looking at them starting to really get it by next season.

Personally, I think the new TE is looking like he's contributing because the drafted TE is just that bad. Thats not exactly a booming cheer of success for either player.

robert ethan
10-01-2010, 10:24 PM
I guess the surprising thing is that Gronkowski moved ahead of the player taken 200 spots ahead of him at the same position so quickly. I think they got Dan in the first week of September, and within a week or two he was conclusively ahead of Quinn on the depth chart. But if you go back to look at their college careers and Combine performances it doesn't seem surprising at all. Gronkowski beat Quinn in every single event at the Combine and caught four times as many passes in his senior season. Plus he was a much better student and recorded a significantly higher Wonderlic score.

Pro scouts are a joke for the most part. More and more sport drafts are resorting to biometric analysis. It's more reliable than a fat old man in the stands with heartburn and stomach gas from stadium food. They probably spend half their time in the crapper in any case.