Rob Gronkowski Should Have Been A Unanimous Choice For Comeback Player Of The Year
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Rob Gronkowski is having another tremendous season, and is one of the main reasons why the New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl.
Other than his record-setting year of 2011 (another year where the Pats appeared in the Super Bowl), Gronkowski arguably had the best year he’s ever had in the NFL. He tied for the lead among tight ends with 12 TDs, and pulled in over 80 receptions for over 1,100 yards. In many years, he’d be vying for the MVP award as well.
It is an insult that anyone else was considered for this award. Jeremy Maclin had a good year, but didn’t have nearly the impact Gronkowski had. And Rolando McClain?! It was a nice story to see McClain come back and actually show some of the talent that made him a first-round pick years ago, but to be blunt, he didn’t deserve any votes.
The ultimate joke of this category was that Kyle Orton even received a vote. Wasting any time on trying to rationalize that choice is a huge waste of time. In fact, trying to explain why someone would have voted for anyone but Gronk this year is a lesson in futility. The only player who should have been voted for was Gronkowski, and it shouldn’t have even been an argument.
Last year, Gronkowski played through several injuries before a nasty ACL injury ended his season for good. And with his exit, the Patriots lost any real chance of contending in 2013. With his comeback and appearance in almost a full 16-game season, the Patriots saw the same success offensively that carried them to the Super Bowl after the amazing 2011 season. Gronkowski presents matchup nightmares that most teams cannot deal with, and gives the Patriots endless options in both the spread and play-action passing game.
While the right person got the award in the end, it is kind of a joke anyone else was even considered. Gronk was the very definition of comeback player of the year, plain and simple.
Jonathan George is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonageorge. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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