Will Gronk Ever Recover From His Devastating Training Camp Interception?
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Rob Gronkowski has looked like his usual dominant self at Patriots training camp so far, but that's just catching the ball. That's just one part of his game. In Friday's intrasquad scrimmage, he got a much-anticipated chance to throw the ball - and utterly failed.
You may have noticed in Friday's scrimmage recap that Gronk actually got a chance to throw a pass during the intrasquad matchup, but the pass was picked off by none other than Patriots safety Devin McCourty.
And he was making so much progress.
Gronk tried to look on the bright side of his devastating defeat in the passing game when asked if McCourty gave him any much-deserved grief over it.
"Not yet, but I'm sure when I see him, he's going to let me know that he picked it off," he said. "But it was one of the best punts out there, right on the 1-yard line. That's how I'm looking at it."
Just wait until McCourty gets a hold of him. He'll extinguish that "punt" explanation in short order. The Patriots safety/wide receiver later told the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe: "He has to live with that now, that the only pass he's thrown was picked off. He probably should have done a better job."
Gronk is always trying to get better every day, but clearly, he has a long way to go as a passer. He may need to put in some extra reps before the Patriots play the Saints next Thursday, if only for his confidence. You have to wonder how shaken he is. On paper, 0-for-1 with an INT is far from a respectable stat line.
Gronk's throwing arm is a situation worth monitoring as the preseason approaches. Can't just toss that pick and let camp play out without making up for it. Gronk always says he's just trying to get better every day. Isn't it about time he started?
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.