GetMoreSports.com is excited to announce a partnership with former NFL player Chris Gronkowski. Every week during the 2018 season, we’ll produce an exclusive Q&A interview with Chris, whose experience, familiarity and connections within the league, its coaches and its players allow him to provide unparalleled insight and analysis.
The information provided in this series can be incredibly valuable to any sports bettor, which is why this is must-read material every week.
In this week’s edition (NFL Preseason Week 2), Chris gives discusses the national anthem saga, the rookie quarterback class and his impressions from Week 1 of the preseason. You can read Glenn Gronkowski’s weekly Q&A here.
All odds are subject to change and courtesy of BetDSI.com, which is open to U.S. players and accepts credit cards.
GMS: What was your biggest takeaway while watching Week 1 of the 2018 preseason?
Gronk: The new leading with your helmet rule is going to be a huge issue. This new rule already has both players and fans angry. The refs seemed to be confused about the new rule as well, and flags are flying everywhere. This needs to be figured out during the preseason or it’s going to cause problems — just like the catch rule did last year.
GMS: Which rookie quarterback most impressed you in Week 1?
Gronk: Baker Mayfield was impressive in Week 1 for the Browns. He looked like a pro style quarterback with a strong arm and he looked comfortable in the pocket. He delivered some nice passes and seemed to be in sync with his receivers. His first completed pass of the game was a nice back shoulder pass to Rashard Higgins, showing that he understands coverages and is on the same page with his receivers. He was stepping up in the pocket and delivering strikes down the field, not just dumping it off to the checkdown man. What really stoods out is how comfortable he was in the pocket even with a lot of pressure, some of his best passes were when he was under pressure. It was an impressive Week 1 of the preseason for Mayfield.
GMS: Oddsmakers released quarterback battle odds for the Bills, Browns, Cardinals and Jets, and none of the rookies were favored to start in Week 1 of the regular season. Do you think Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rose and/or Sam Darnold will start? If so, why?
Gronk: I think Sam Darnold will be the first rookie quarterback to lock up the starting job. The Jets are looking for him to be their franchise quarterback and after a good Week 1 in preseason, it looks like they have found their man. Don’t be surprised if Baker Mayfield jumps into the starting roll Week 1 for the Browns as well. After a solid performance, the Browns will be sure to push Mayfield to take over the starting job. If they can get him mentally ready in the next three weeks, I can see Mayfield starting in Week 1 as well.
Check out the Gronkowski Brothers’ inaugural podcast: THE GRONKCAST exclusively for GetMoreSports.com:
GMS: We got our first glimpse of Andrew Luck and he looked like the healthy player everyone wants him to be. What are your expectations for Luck and the Colts this season?
Gronk: Luck will be on top of his game. He is coming off a frustrating injury and is going to be fired up to finally get back on the field. Luck is a student of the game and was sure to be working hard and studying the playbook and game film throughout his entire injury and downtime. Expect him to come out fired up and ready to go.
GMS: Here’s a trio of rapid-fire, yes/no questions:
Will Dez Bryant play in the NFL this year?
Will Johnny Manziel play in the NFL this year?
Will Terrell Owens play in the NFL this year?
Gronk: Yes. No chance. No chance
GMS: What’s your take on the ongoing national anthem protest saga? Is Donald Trump right? Are the players right? Is anyone right?
Gronk: If a player is going to take a knee for the national anthem then he better be spending some of his time and efforts in the off season toward the cause that he is protesting against. You can say that you are not disrespecting our country or the men who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, but actions speak louder than words.
The Gronkcast Episodes:
Link: The GronkCast: Episode 9: Inside The NFL: Featuring Rob Gronkowski’s bodyguard Bobby Goons
Link: The GronkCast: Episode 8: Inside The NFL: Inside A Players Life in the NFL
Link: The GronkCast: Episode 7: Inside The NFL: An Interview with WWE superstar Mojo Rawley
Link: The GronkCast: Episode 6: Inside The NFL: NFL Week 2, BulletProof Picks, NFL Head Coaches
Link: The GronkCast: Episode 5: Inside The NFL: A Day In The Life of An NFL Player, NFL Week 1
Link: The GronkCast: Episode 4: Inside The NFL: NFL Betting Strategies, The Best NFL Prop Bets
Link: The GronkCast: Episode 3: Inside The NFL: What It’s Like To Be A Rookie In The NFL
