Rob Gronkowski turned in yet another dominant performance Sunday, racking up a game-high 109 receiving yards on five catches as his New England Patriots breezed past the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills, however, weren’t overly impressed by the four-time All-Pro tight end.
Buffalo linebacker Zach Brown complimented the Patriots’ other tight end, Martellus Bennett, but implied Gronkowski would be nothing special if he didn’t have Tom Brady throwing him the ball.
“I’m more impressed with Bennett than Gronk,” Brown said after the Patriots’ 41-25 win at New Era Field, via The Boston Globe. “When Tom Brady wasn’t here, you didn’t hear (Gronkowski). But when Tom Brady comes back he knows where to place it, how to place it, and he uses Gronk’s size to his advantage. As far as blocking, no, I do not think he’s one of the best. Bennett is probably a better blocker.”
Bills safety Corey Graham offered a similarly lukewarm review of Gronkowski’s talents.
“He uses his body well, but he’s got Tom Brady,” Graham said, via the Globe. “I mean, Tom Brady’s Tom Brady.”
Gronkowski didn’t have Brady when the Patriots and Bills met back in Week 4, but he also didn’t have a fully functioning leg. A hamstring injury sidelined Gronk for two games and limited his playing time in two others, which just so happened to be the four contests of Brady’s suspension.
There’s no denying Gronkowski is more effective when Brady is playing, though. The two have formed an unstoppable duo over the last four weeks, connecting 21 times (on 27 targets) for 473 yards and three touchdowns.
Gronkowski, who scored his 69th career touchdown Sunday, ranks among all NFL tight ends in receiving yards this season despite catching just one pass over the Patriots’ first four games.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports Images
