Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski told Peyton and Eli Manning on their Monday Night Football MegaCast program that he doesn't watch film.

But speaking with reporters Wednesday, Gronk clarified that he was just joking.

"I actually watch tons of film. An overload of film," he said. "I will probably blame [PR director] Nelson [Luis] over there. He asked me eight times to go on the show. I told him, 'It's not a good idea.' They always get me in that type of silly atmosphere and that's what happened. Now coach [Bruce Arians] threatened me. I don't get my vet day anymore."

Arians had joked with Gronkowski in front of reporters that he was taking away his veteran rest days after his remarks to the Mannings.

Whatever Gronk is doing, it's working. He's started the season on fire, catching 12 passes for 129 yards and an impressive four touchdowns. It's unlikely that he'll keep up his 34-touchdown pace this season, but it's also clear that Tom Brady still very much trusts his longtime teammate in the red zone.

"Trust me, I watch so much film that my girlfriend gets mad at me," Gronkowski added Wednesday. "She friggin' throws s--t at me sometimes, I'm watching so much film. Sometimes I go home and she's like, 'You've been gone all day and now you're studying, you've got your iPad out,' and I'm like, 'Yeah, I've gotta get into it. I gotta learn.'"

In his original comments to the Mannings, Gronkowski joked that he doesn't need to watch film because Brady "watches like, I don't know, 40 hours of film a week" and that he doesn't need to practice on Fridays because it's when the team works on its red-zone packages and he's "Red-Zone Robby G already, baby."

I have people who watch film for me 👀 @tombrady https://t.co/YfwVwhJRBC

— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) September 21, 2021

The 32-year-old Gronkowski will never be accused of being a boring pedant, that much is certain. But he wouldn't have put together a Hall of Fame career or torrid start to this season without taking the game of football very seriously.

Chicago Bears tight end Jimmy Graham sees Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski as the measuring stick for his position.

Beginning his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2010, Graham burst onto the scene in his second season when he earned second-team All-Pro honors.

Graham recently revealed that at that time he was driven by a desire to be just as good as Gronkowski.

"I’ve never told anybody this. My first four years in the league, I actually had Gronk’s jersey hanging in my bedroom," Graham told ESPN. "I didn’t have a TV hanging in my room, I had Gronk’s jersey hanging in my room. Literally it was the only item I had hanging in my house. So every morning I had to wake up and I knew that I needed to get to work."

During his second season in 2011, Graham set the single-season record for receiving yards for a tight end with 1,310 in the last week of the season. But he only held the record for a few minutes as Gronkowski, who played for the New England Patriots at the time, came off the bench in his Week 17 game to move ahead of Graham with 1,327.

"I would say anybody and everybody needs some kind of a rivalry at some point, at least mentally to push yourself even more," Graham said. "And you know Gronk has always been that for me."

Graham was a favorite target of former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2013. He earned three Pro Bowl selections while playing for New Orleans before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2015.

In three seasons in Seattle he set franchise records for the most receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns by a tight end. Despite his success with the Seahawks, Graham wonders what could have been if he stayed with the Saints for longer than five seasons. Seeing Gronkowski's continued success with quarterback Tom Brady also amplified those feelings.

"I don’t think anybody really benefitted from the trade,” Graham said. “You got a guy like Gronk who’s been with his quarterback his entire career in the same offense, the same scheme. So for me, it’s always one of those things where thinking about what could’ve been or what should’ve been with Drew is kind of the most disappointing."     

Work smarter, not harder is apparently a motto for Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Rob Gronkowski.

The veteran tight end was a guest on the "Manning Cast" of Monday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions when he discussed the research—or lack thereof—he does ahead of games.

"Cam Brate asked me a serious question the other day," Gronkowski said. "He said, 'Rob, do you ever watch film?' I said, 'No, I just run by guys.'"

He went on to explain he often leans on teammate Tom Brady for any guidance on upcoming opponents:

Gronk says he doesn’t really watch film — only when the team is showing it. “I know Tom watches 40 hours of film a week. I go, ‘Tom, who’s covering me this week? What kind of coverages are they playing?’”

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 21, 2021

I have people who watch film for me 👀 @tombrady https://t.co/YfwVwhJRBC

— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) September 21, 2021

It's hard to find much fault with that approach so far.

The five-time Pro Bowler was arguably the most dominant tight end in league history during his prime, and he has found a way to remain effective despite no longer being at his peak physically. He has 12 receptions for 129 yards and four touchdowns through Tampa Bay's first two games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers stars Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are in perfect sync to start the 2021 season, connecting for four touchdowns through two games. Brady discussed Gronkowski's value to the team after the game, via Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated:

He’s got great hands, great instincts, awareness. I think what people don’t realize, he’s an elite blocker, and what he does in terms of red area, third down, locking in the run game—you can run behind him. Every run is available because you can run behind him. He catches the ball down the field, catches the ball short, run after catch, incredible hands. He has one of those maroon jackets for one of the 100 best in the history of the game, and it’s just a real privilege to play with him.

Gronkowski had two touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 after scoring two in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. It was his third straight game with multiple scores after recording two touchdowns in the Bucs' Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brady and Gronkowski have connected for 86 regular-season touchdowns, third-most for a quarterback-receiver tandem in NFL history. Only Peyton Manning-Marvin Harrison (112) and Philip Rivers-Antonio Gates (89) have been more successful.

While Brady will go down as arguably the best quarterback of all time, Gronk has been instrumental to his success during their nine years together in New England and two in Tampa Bay.

Brady has finished nine of the past 11 seasons with a quarterback rating of at least 90 since Gronkowski entered the league in 2010. The only exceptions were in 2013 when injuries limited Gronk to just seven games and in 2019 after the tight end retired.

Gronkowski was also on the roster for four of Brady's seven Super Bowl titles. 

The two are now playing as well as ever to begin the 2021 campaign, with the quarterback totaling nine touchdown passes and a 113.3 rating on the way to two wins. It will make the Buccaneers difficult to beat as they try to win another championship.   

The reigning Super Bowl champions earned their second straight win to open 2021 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons 48-25 at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

Dating back to last year, Tampa Bay extended its winning streak to 10 games. The Bucs don't appear to be experiencing any championship hangover.

Atlanta jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the third quarter thanks to three touchdown passes from Tom Brady. A 36-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo as the first half ended helped the Falcons chip away at the deficit.

Their first drive of the third quarter ended in an interception by Shaquil Barrett, though, and the Buccaneers capitalized as Brady hit Mike Evans for their second scoring connection.

Make that 2️⃣ for @MikeEvans13_ ‼️

📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/qWcfHFqpel

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 19, 2021

A pair of touchdown passes by Matt Ryan in the third quarter had some Falcons fans thinking a comeback was in store. But Brady found Chris Godwin for a one-yard touchdown pass before Mike Edwards' pick-six served as a knockout blow for the Falcons.

.@M__Edwards7 takes it the other way! #GoBucs

📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/uI64zFGGpJ

— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2021

Edwards got a second pick-six for good measure later in the fourth quarter.

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Notable Performers

Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers: 24-of-36, 276 yards, five touchdowns

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers: five receptions, 75 yards, two touchdowns

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Buccaneers: four receptions, 39 yards, two touchdowns

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons: 35-of-46, 300 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions

Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Falcons: seven carries, 11 yards, one touchdown; five receptions, 58 yards, one touchdown

Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons: seven receptions, 63 yards, one touchdown

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Brady, Bucs Offense Keep Their Foot on the Gas

Any notion that Father Time was finally going to catch Brady was quickly put to bed in Week 1 as the 44-year-old threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys.

Considering Brady has a full year with the team under his belt and had a normal preseason to prepare, the Bucs offense might be even more dangerous than it was in the second half of 2020.

Tom Brady's nine touchdown passes are the most in franchise history through the first two games of a season. That's also a personal high for him (which may be even more impressive) and tied for the second-most in NFL history through the first two games.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) September 19, 2021

One of the differences in this game? There are SIX Tampa Bay receivers with 15+ receiving yards in the first half.

Godwin: 50
Evans: 48
Gronk: 39
Fournette: 21
Howard: 21
Brown: 17

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) September 19, 2021

Inside the red zone, opponents really have to pick their poison. Even if they have Evans and Godwin covered on the outside or load up the box to stop the run, Brady can call upon one of the greatest tight ends ever.

Is @RobGronkowski still in his prime?! #GoBucs

📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/uHvsUe4Axz

— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2021

Gronkowski also joins Ben Coates (1994) and Dee Mackey (1962) as the only TEs in @NFL history with 2+ TD receptions in each of his team's first two games of a season.

— NFL345 (@NFL345) September 19, 2021

As much as Tampa Bay's offense is picking up from where it left off in 2020, the same can't be said of the defense.

The Bucs allowed 327.1 yards per game last year, sixth-lowest in the NFL. The Cowboys soared well past that number (451 yards), and the champs surrendered 348 yards to a Falcons squad that mustered six points and 260 yards in Week 1.

The #Bucs defense looks just like they did last season [29th ranked in pass defense], bad.

They had a good playoff run in the final couple of games but they can't stop anything. Not a good look for a team looking to repeat.

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 19, 2021

Bucs defense could be in real trouble. Through 7 quarters of the season they’ve showed no resistance whatsoever.

— nick wright (@getnickwright) September 19, 2021

It's far too early to start reaching for the panic button, but Todd Bowles' unit merits some close examination over the next few games.

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Ryan Shows out in Losing Effort

Multiple quarterbacks changed teams this offseason, and the Falcons were seemingly embarking on a rebuild—or at the very least a transition—with a new head coach and general manager.

The upheaval saw Julio Jones traded to the Tennessee Titans, but Ryan stuck around in Atlanta. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in May the 36-year-old "feels he has several good years left, that he can still play at a high level."

Ryan backed up that assertion Sunday.

Matt Ryan has 8 seasons with a PFF grade above 80, and he's showing now that he still has some teeth left.

Great job hanging in against a defense really coming after him#ATLvsTB

— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) September 19, 2021

Matt Ryan's toughness on full display in Tampa..he's orchestrated two TD drives in the 3rd quarter thanks to some quick decision making & crafty throws to overcome consistent pressure #ATLvsTB

— Lance Medow (@LanceMedow) September 19, 2021

It's tough to blame Ryan too much for his three interceptions considering the state of the Falcons running game. Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson combined for 49 yards on 16 carries.

In order to have a chance, Atlanta's requires a lot of its starting quarterback, and he'll inevitably throw himself into a mistake or two when the team is down by multiple scores late in a game.

That the Falcons lost despite Ryan's 300-yard day will inevitably lead some to wonder whether both parties would nonetheless benefit from a separation. Whatever he delivers on the field isn't enough to overcome the franchise's glaring flaws.

Still trying to understand the logic in Atlanta clutching to a 36-year-old Matt Ryan.

— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) September 19, 2021

A midseason trade doesn't make much sense because Atlanta is without a clear successor. Josh Rosen or Feleipe Franks isn't the solution.

If Ryan can keep this up, then the team is at least in a strong position at the negotiating table in the offseason.

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What's Next?

The Falcons will look for their first win Sept. 26 against the New York Giants, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The Bucs hit the road for a difficult matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski's brother, Chris Gronkowski, believes Gronk's NFL future depends primarily on that of quarterback Tom Brady.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Chris was asked when he believes Rob intends to retire for good:

"I think Rob will play it out until Tom plays it out is what I'm thinking," Chris said.

Chris also expressed his belief that "whatever Tom has left" is what Gronk has left as well, adding: "I just can't see him playing with another quarterback. It's tough to get that chemistry. It's tough to win once you lose that QB."

Gronk retired in 2019, but he came out of retirement last season to join Brady in Tampa Bay and played a key role in the Bucs winning the Super Bowl.

When factoring in his one-year hiatus, the 32-year-old Gronkowski is in the midst of his 11th NFL season. Each of them has been spent with Brady as his starting quarterback.

In his first nine seasons with the New England Patriots, Gronk was a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro, and he teamed with Brady to win three Super Bowls.

Gronkowski averaged an impressive 58 catches for 873 yards and nearly nine touchdowns per season during his Pats tenure as well.

After retiring because of mounting injuries, Gronk came out of retirement when Brady signed with the Bucs as a free agent last offseason. New England traded Gronkowski to Tampa Bay, and his connection with TB12 was reborn.

Gronk didn't put up huge numbers last season with 45 grabs for 623 yards and seven touchdowns, but he reeled in two touchdowns in the Super Bowl and was key in the Buccaneers beating the Kansas City Chiefs to secure a championship.

Gronkowski entered 2021 with four career Super Bowl wins, while Brady has a remarkable seven to his credit.

Brady and Gronk already look honed in and ready to defend their title, as they both came through with big performances in a 31-29 win over the Dallas Cowboys on opening night.

Gronk had eight receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while the 44-year-old Brady threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.

The Brady-to-Gronkowski connection is showing no signs of slowing down yet, which could mean trouble for the rest of the NFL moving forward.

Disgruntled opposing fans aren't the only ones who feel like Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has been dominating the NFL forever. So does longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski.

The star tight end joked about the seven-time Super Bowl champion's longevity when he was asked about an audible called by Brady in the third quarter Thursday that resulted in Gronk's second touchdown catch of the game en route to a 31-29 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

"Tom made a great call," Gronkowski told reporters. "I was actually on a route, and then he checked me into blocking, and then he checked me into blocking and releasing. He just sees it all on the field. It's impressive. I mean the guy's been playing for like 80 years, seen every defense, seen every play."

There was some thought Brady, 44, may have been slowing down late in his tenure with the New England Patriots. He threw just 24 touchdowns across 16 games in 2019, which marked his lowest full-season total since 2006.

What he's shown since joining Tampa Bay before last season is those lackluster numbers could be attributed to the Pats' lack of playmakers, not his personal ability.

Brady led the Bucs to the Super Bowl LV title in February and picked up right where he left off Thursday night in the 2021 season opener. He completed 32 of his 50 throws for 379 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Life is easier for any quarterback when he's got myriad marquee targets at his disposal, and that's certainly the case in Tampa with Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Gronkowski. Add in a strong offensive line and the team's offense should be downright unstoppable at times this year.

Yet the Buccaneers found themselves trailing late in the fourth quarter after Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein hit a 48-yard field goal with one minute, 29 seconds left.

Brady and Co. responded with an 11-play, 57-yard drive to set up Ryan Succop for the game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

"The margin of error is thin in the NFL and, one or two plays, that's the way the game is," Brady said. "Fortunately we found a way to win. I'm really happy Ryan and the field goal team made that really clutch kick at the end, that was great to see. Special teams were just awesome tonight. As a team, we all know that we've got to get back to work and try to improve."

The future Hall of Fame quarterback long stated his desire of playing until he's 45. Now that he's just one year away from reaching that goal and still playing at a top-tier level, he's pushing the goalposts back and not putting an exact timetable on how long he's going to play.

"Hopefully, I'll be here a long time," Brady told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times before the start of the regular season. "For many years."

As long as he's protected by a strong offensive line, his play suggests he could keep playing for at least a handful more seasons as he pushes toward age 50.

If you started Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Rob Gronkowski in Week 1, then your 2021 NFL season got off to a nice start.

The five-time Pro Bowler caught eight passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-29 win over the Dallas Cowboys. 

Brady to Gronk… AGAIN 🔥@brgridiron

Their 100th touchdown connection

(via @NFLBrasil)pic.twitter.com/9kZ4byZRPV

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 10, 2021

Tampa Bay's opener could lead to some overreactions.

Gronk's days as an elite tight end—at least on the level of his peak years with the New England Patriots—are almost certainly over given the mileage he has put on his body.

The Bucs don't need him to be a high-volume pass-catcher either. Antonio Brown, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have 11 combined Pro Bowl appearances between them. Tom Brady isn't lacking for options.

Gronkowski averaged 2.8 receptions and 38.9 yards per game in his first year with Tampa Bay, his lowest figures in both categories since his rookie season. His 77 targets were third-most on the team, and he would've been fourth if Brown (62 targets) had been available for the entire year.

When it comes to his fantasy return, Gronkowski's value in a given week will hinge largely on whether he finds the end zone. He's good enough to be a regular starter in standard leagues but won't come close to challenging Travis Kelce for tight end supremacy.

In daily fantasy formats, Gronk is a good streaming option because he's unlikely to come at a high cost relative to Kelce and the top-end players at the position.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Rob Gronkowski has high expectations for himself this season simply because he feels more comfortable in Bruce Arians' system entering Year 2 with the defending Super Bowl champions.

Speaking to reporters about the upcoming season, Gronkowski said his mindset has changed.

"Just knowing a whole new system, a whole new playbook and knowing in the back of mind now," he said. "So, right when I break the huddle, I just go out there and just do what I gotta do and just react as a football player instead of thinking. I just feel a lot better out there this year and just overall in terms. Just gotta keep on working to improve every time."

Gronkowski ended his retirement last year and was traded to the Bucs to reunite with Tom Brady. A litany of injuries, including back issues and multiple concussions, led the four-time All-Pro to hang up his cleats after the 2018 season at the age of 29.

There were indications last year that Gronkowski got his feet back under him as the season went along. He had 399 yards and four touchdowns through Week 11 but piled up 224 yards and three touchdowns over the final five games of the regular season.

Gronkowski was Tampa Bay's leading receiver in Super Bowl LV with six receptions, 67 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bucs will begin their title defense Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium.