New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski wasn’t a doe-eyed rookie. To the contrary, he immediately established himself as a physical presence on the practice field.
Retired tight end Alge Crumpler, who spent his final NFL season in New England in 2010, seemed to remember Gronk’s rookie year well.
“Very special,” Crumpler said during a recent appearance on “The Lefkoe Show.” “I remember scrimmaging the New Orleans Saints, they came to our practice facility and he’s a rookie just destroying some of the 8-, 9-, 10-year veterans and they are yelling at me, ‘Crump, get your boy. Get your boy. He ain’t supposed to be doing all that.’ It didn’t phase Gronk. He was going after all those guys.”
Crumpler added: “People hear about the blocking, but they never highlight his blocking. I have never seem them highlight Gronk pancake a guy. But I’ve seen Bill Belichick highlight every single week on a Monday when we’re reviewing film.”
Crumpler finished that season playing 16 games, with just six receptions for 52 yards and two touchdowns. Gronk, meanwhile, proved to be every bit as dominant as he was in those early training camp sessions against the Saints. Gronkowski logged 42 receptions for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2010. And, yes, that season included some terrific run-blocking and pass-protection.
