Toucher & Rich: Gronkowski Talks Broncos Defense, 'Gronking'
BOSTON (CBS) – New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich Thursday morning, and is ready for Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
"We have to be ready; we have to put up some points," said Gronkowski, who was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday. "Overall they got a good defense too so we have to be ready, we have to find out ways to move the ball, how to run the ball, throw the ball and everything. We have to be ready to move the ball and be prepared."
"Their defensive line, they can pass-rush the quarterback so quick. Their outside linebackers are so fast they can cover and they can blitz like it's nothing," he said of the Broncos defense.
Denver have a knack for playing poorly for three-quarters, and then come storming back in the fourth quarter, something Gronkowski and the Patriots will be ready for.
"You have to be mentally tough and physically tough throughout the whole game," said Gronkowski. "Fourth quarter is definitely huge, especially if its crunch time and it's a close game. You have to be ready to come through, all the bruises and bumps you're feeling you have to get mentally prepared and go out there and keep physically performing."
The Pats tight end also touched on the sideline spat between quarterback Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien last Sunday in Washington. Seeing Brady get fired up is nothing new for Gronkowski, and it just shows how much he cares about the game.
"It just shows his passion; it shows that he loves the game and he loves to compete," said Gronkowski. "He's always competing every day out at practice and at game time. I see it all the time, him getting passionate. It's another thing of him being a leader, him getting everyone fired up."
Gronkowski also talked about the "Gronking" phenomenon, where Toucher and Rich had fans take pictures of themselves spiking footballs, random household objects and even other people, much like Gronk does after each of his touchdowns. He got a look at all the fan photos that were sent in to T&R, and was glad to see his patented spike starting to rival the famous "Tebowing."
Gallery: Fans 'Gronking" Photos
"That was pretty impressive. There was a parent with my jersey on with his kid in the air, spiking his kid. I saw that one, which was awesome," he said. "The fact that it made ESPN through you guys, that's pretty impressive and pretty cool at the same time."
As for which person he would spike, Gronkowski had to think about that one.
"I've never really thought of that before. I used to watch WWE wrestling when I was younger. You remember (Andre) the Giant? That would be a pretty good spike," he said.
Fans also have a chance to spend Christmas Eve with Gronkowski, who is running a raffle to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence. Click here for more information on the raffle, which runs through Tuesday.
Listen To Rob Gronkowski on Toucher & Rich in its entirety, including how his teammates react to his big plays every week!
