Now that Rob Gronkowski has retired, his place in history among NFL tight ends is up for debate.
Was he better than Tony Gonzalez? Kellen Winslow Sr.? That will always be debated, but former tight end Alge Crumpler doesn't believe in the argument.
Appearing on the The Lefkoe Show, Crumpler was asked if Gronkowski is the GOAT at the position, but he wouldn't go that far.
“No, I don’t believe in the argument," he said. "I feel like when you have that argument there’s people chipping away at you. It’s like he’s great. I don’t need somebody to argue with me about Magic Johnson being the greatest of all time, or Larry Bird the greatest of all time.”
Crumpler played 10 years in the NFL, including his last with the Patriots when Gronkowski was a rookie, so he had an up close look at him at the very beginning. One of the things that stood out to him was his blocking.
“Very special," he said. "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.”
Gronkowski finished his career with 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.
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