In The Blitz, RotoViz writers react to the latest news and help you place it within the context of our 2020 research and recommendations.
One of the hardest things to watch in football is an aging veteran who has lost his edge, believing in his heart that he can keep playing at a high level. Players want to leave it all out of the field and leave on their terms, but the balance of pride and what’s best for the organization can be a delicate balance. I had these same feelings when Rob Gronkowski followed his longtime quarterback, Tom Brady, down to Tampa Bay. However, as the season has progressed, Gronk is beginning to look like his old self.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski continues to make big plays as a member of his new team. Gronkowski only caught two balls, but one was a big, 44-yard reception that led to a score. The other was his fourth touchdown catch in the last five contests. The big tight end now has four games with at least 50 yards receiving after not having one as the calendar turned to October. He should be viewed as a weekly TE1 moving forward, especially with his nose for the end zone. Week 11 brings a Rams Defense that has been somewhat susceptible to tight ends.
Career Resurgence
Gronkowski hadn’t played a snap since Week 17 of the 2018 season when he transitioned out of retirement to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When he reunited with Brady, the obvious fan reaction was to think back to the dominant years they plated together in New England. And who could blame them? Gronkowski was on another planet in terms of tight end production. He averaged an absurd 18.4 PPR/game for five years.
