Earlier this month, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski talked about his reunion with veteran quarterback Tom Brady. The 43-year-old Brady and Gronkowski played together with the New England Patriots for nine years. During that span, the duo combined for 7,786 yards and 78 touchdowns, good for fifth on the list of touchdown combinations in NFL history. Before the start of last season, Gronkowski decided to hang up his cleats after wining his third Super Bowl ring with the Patriots. Without a reliable tight end in Gronkowski, the Patriots failed to advance past the Wild Card round, losing to the Tennessee Titans.
In the offseason, Brady then joined the Buccaneers on a two-year deal worth $50 million. Gronkowski then followed suit, announcing that he’s cutting short his retirement to join his close friend Brady in Tampa Bay. In one of his first interviews, Gronkowski said Brady looked like the same quarterback that he met for the first time with the Patriots. The tight end added that Brady was placing the ball in perfect positions for his targets.
Gronkowski raves about Brady’s performance
Following their 28-10 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Gronkowski again raved about Brady’s performance that helped the Buccaneers improve to 2-1 on the season. In a report by Jenna Laine of ESPN, Gronkowski denied claims by critics that Brady has nothing left in the tank.
“That is simply not true," Gronkowski said, adding that veteran quarterback can still air the ball out and put a dime where he needs to. “I just feel like he can do it. It is like he isn't even 43 years old,” said Gronkowski. In his best game as a Buccaneer so far, Brady completed 25 of 38 passes to eight different targets for 297 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
“I think he has a lot left, even more, in the tank,” said Gronkowsi, who caught six passes for 48 yards from Brady after just two receptions in his first two games with the Buccaneers. Gronkowski also praised Brady’s method of preparation for each game, ensuring that he’s on-point even during practice. The tight end also lauded Brady’s way of taking care of himself and keeping his body in shape for the rigors of the NFL.
Bucs head coach all praises for Brady
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was also all praises for his veteran quarterback’s performance in their win over the Broncos that improved Brady’s career record against Denver to 9-9. "We built this team on defense. Tom was just icing on the cake,” said Arians, who also praised his defense for limiting the Broncos to 10 points and sacking quarterback Jake Driskel six times. The veteran head coach specifically lauded outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, who led the NFL in sacks last season with 19.5. Barrett recorded two sacks, a safety and three tackles for loss against his former team. "There was no doubt, you knew he was going to have a big day," said Arians.
