Rob Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends to have played in NFL history. He played 11 seasons for the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was one of the most dominant tight ends to play the game.
In his career, Gronkowski has been named to five Pro Bowls and four First-Team All-Pro selections. He retired with 621 receptions, 9,282 receiving yards, and 92 receiving touchdowns. He became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league in touchdown receptions in a single season, as he had an NFL record for tight ends with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2011.
On today’s episode of Dudes on Dudes on YouTube, hosted by Gronkowski and former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, Gronkowski was asked by a high school offensive coordinator how he can help his tight end get open on play-action passes.
“Well the biggest thing coach is to get him to grind in the blocking game, to make him a great blocker,” said Gronkowski. “So get him to block, get him to be nasty in the blocking game so every single time that it’s a play action the linebackers are scared of him and step up to stop that run and then he has to have a good feel on where to get open for the play action as well.”
He feels that if his tight end becomes a good blocker, it will allow for more space for him to get open as a receiver. Gronk also noted that the tight end has to have a good feel for where the pass will be on the play-action attempt.
There have been many great tight ends in NFL history, including Rob Gronkowski. While lists are always debatable, there is always some reason for certain players being placed in the all-time great lists.
Gronkowski, one of the game’s most dominant tight ends ever, was asked who his top-three tight ends in NFL history were. To no surprise, he included himself as well as a current and a retired tight end.
“I gotta put myself there,” said Gronkowski. “Kelce is obviously in there, I mean the stats he’s putting up year in and year out and then I gotta go Tony Gonzalez.”
Kelce and Gonzalez are two solid choices. Gonzalez leads all tight ends in history with receiving yards (15,127), ranks first in receptions (1,325), and second in receiving touchdowns (111). Kelce ranks third in receiving yards (12,151), third in receptions (1,004), and fifth in receiving touchdowns (77). Gronkowski ranks third in touchdown receptions (92), sixth in yards (9,286), and 10th in receptions (621).
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Kendrick Perkins hit it on the nose. On his most recent ESPN appearance, the former New Orleans Pelicans center spoke on the recent discourse surrounding Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. He didn't mince words. "The disrespect need to f***ing stop man," he said. "Every time I look up, it's something different. 'Kobe wasn't this. Kobe wasn't a primary defender.'" More often than not, comparisons and criticisms come from fanbases looking to pick fights. Even perhaps the most debated comparison — LeBron James and Michael Jordan — has been debunked by both players. The same goes for NBA players who played alongside Bryant. "Kobe was like that on both ends of the floor," Perkins continued. "Kob was locking ... up, especially when it mattered most. Especially in the postseason. Kob wanted smoke. Top three most skilled player to ever play the game of basketball ... he's Jordan offensively." Perkins isn't exactly known for his sound basketball opinions, but when it comes to Bryant, he had it right. And he was willing to stand by it. "When it comes to Kobe and where he ranks on the all-time great list," he said. "I got him top ten. I'm actually tired of debating ... about where guys rank and things of that nature. He's top-ten in my eyes." Related Articles Pelicans Executive Gets Honest On Zion Williamson's Future Lakers Insider Discusses Potential Zion Williamson Fit With Luka Dončić Ex-NBA Champion Criticizes Clippers' Signing of Chris Paul Los Angeles Lakers Make Big Decision On Ex-Pelicans Center
WNBA players sent a message to the league with T-shirts they wore ahead of the All-Star Game on Saturday night, but the ratings for the game did not exactly strengthen their stance. Prior to the All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., Caitlin Clark and other players warmed up in shirts that said “Pay us what you owe us” across the front. The message had to do with the current state of collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the WNBA and WNBA Player’s Association. Unfortunately for the players, the television ratings for the game were not very good. Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday that the WNBA All-Star Game drew 2.19 million viewers on ABC, which was down roughly 36% from a year ago. Last year’s game featured the WNBA All-Stars against the Team USA squad that was preparing to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris. The dip in ratings is likely another example of the type of impact Clark has had on the WNBA. Although she was a team captain for this year’s All-Star Game, Clark did not play due to a groin injury. Clark played in last year’s game for the All-Star side, as she did not make the Team USA Olympic roster. Many fans were outraged that she was snubbed from the Olympic team, which added an element of intrigue to the All-Star Game. There is no way of knowing for certain whether more fans would have watched the All-Star Game on Saturday night had Clark played. It is a safe guess, however, especially when you look at some recent trends for the league.
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is widely considered one of the greatest players in basketball history. Helping lead the Los Angeles Lakers to three straight NBA titles alongside Kobe Bryant, O'Neal finished his career with four championships, three Finals MVP awards, 15 All-Star appearances, a league MVP award, and four scoring titles. While he is well-known for his dominance on the court, O'Neal has been a steady presence in the media since his retirement. One member of the Inside the NBA crew, which just completed its final season on TNT, O'Neal has stayed in the spotlight after his playing days. The 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer has also been very active in the community. On Monday, O'Neal made a personal announcement via his foundation about a new community effort they just completed. The former Lakers center has opened a sixth "Comebaq Court" for kids to play on. The official Instagram page for O'Neal's foundation shared the following: "Last Monday, we officially opened our 6th Comebaq Court! In partnership with @IcyHot and the Boys Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas at Gloria Williams Park, we unveiled a state-of-the-art space where kids can dream big and play hard—right in the heart of a park named for a true community hero. Because every kid deserves a safe place to play!" O'Neal is known for being very philanthropic. According to Spotrac, he made over $286 million in NBA career earnings, and has added to that significantly off the court. Using his resources for good, O'Neal and his foundation are doing impactful work in the community.
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