Rob Gronkowski is quitting professional football after nine seasons with one of the greatest NFL teams of the modern day.
The much-feared and respected New England Patriot tight-end announced his retirement on Instagram on Sunday.
At 29 he’s getting out at the top. Arguably he departs the game as the strongest, toughest and most dominant tight-end in NFL history.
He also leaves behind a long list of injuries. They include vertebral back and forearm fractures, multiple concussions and torn ACLs.
‘Gronk,’ as he was widely known to his fans, was a vital key in a stunningly successful offensive triangle. It had Bill Belichick on one side, Tom Brady on another and himself as the third side
Belichick as the head coach did the plotting and planning. Brady at quarter-back brilliantly executed his plans and Gronk finished it all off magnificently.
The big NFL question of the week
Naturally then the big question in the sports-betting Mecca of New Jersey this week has been this: How much will Gronkowski’s loss weaken the Patriots? Also, will it lower the odds on them successfully defending their Super Bowl crown?
It will not and has not done so, it seems. Gronkowski’s departure has had little effect on the odds on offer by the 13 sports bookmakers of the Garden State.
Market leader FanDuel continues to have the Patriots sitting atop its 2020 Super Bowl favorites list. On Tuesday, March 26 they had the crack New England outfit at +700.
Kansas City Chiefs were at +800, New Orleans Saints at +850 and Los Angeles Rams at +900.
888sports also had New England at No. 1. The Only difference is that they had them sharing top spot with the Chiefs at +750. The Saints and the Rams were bracketed together in 2nd spot at +900.
William Hill of New Jersey was one of the few sportsbooks not to have Patriots on top. Its favorites on Tuesday were the Chiefs at +550. The Patriots were at +650, the Saints at +800 and the Rams at +850.
New England has won three Super Bowls in this decade
Patriots won the Super Bowl three times and made the final on five occasions during Gronkowski’s nine years with them. His contribution was massive.
It was not for nothing he was named as an All-Pro player four times. He caught 79 touchdowns in a total of 115 career games and averaged a phenomenal 15 yards per catch. Big and strong, he was also the standout blocking tight end in the league.
Why then do the New Jersey bookies seem to be so unfazed by his going?
One reason is clearly the fact that the Patriots ‘Big Bs’, Belichick and Brady, are still there.
During their reign, many fine Patriots players have come and gone. They have included stars like Randy Moss, Brandin Cook, and Wes Welker.
Belichick always managed to fill in the holes, seal the cracks
Somehow, though, wily maestro Belichick has always managed to fill in the holes and seal up the cracks. Brady of course was his field general and Gronkowitz the finisher who put points on scoreboard.
Another reason why the Patriots have retained their high betting status could be the hand they hold in the upcoming draft. It’s a strong one, to be sure..
They’ll have six picks inside the top three rounds – and this at a time when the draft teems with quality tight-ends.
Finally, the bookie’s reluctance to drop New England’s odds could well have resulted of a whisper going about.
Gronkowitz’s agent has suggested, it seems, that his comeback is not out of the question.
The talk is that the tight-end superstar will take a well-earned break in the early part of the season and, if needed, come back for the big stuff later on.
