As part of our weekly series, Get More Sports recently caught up with former NFL player Chris Gronkowski. Every week during the 2018 season, we’ll produce an exclusive Q&A 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 Week 3), Chris discusses the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick relationship, Patrick Mahomes’ fast start and more. You can read Chris Gronkowski’s weekly Q&A here.
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GMS: What do you make of the recent report that Tom Brady would “divorce” Bill Belichick if he could? Do you think Brady has grown tired of Belichick after all these years?
Gronk: I would love to know where these reports come from. I am sure after working together for so long that there are going to be times of tension but I don’t think that these two will ever get divorced. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning and together they have been able to accomplish this goal. I can’t see either of them breaking it off and think they may both end their careers together when the time is right.
GMS: Josh Gordon is an immense talent when his mind is in the right place. Do you think he can make an immediate, as well as long-term, impact with the Patriots?
Gronk: I am excited to see what Josh Gordon brings to the Patriots. We will know in the first few months if he is going to be a player that can handle the “Patriots’ way” and follow the rules. The Patriots have found a way to turn troubled players around but we have also seen it not work out for a bunch of players as well. I think Josh Gordon will be one of the players that ends up being great. At this point, if the Patriots aren’t able to straighten Josh Gordon out then I don’t think many other teams would even waste their time trying. Josh Gordon has to see this as one of his last opportunities to make a career out of football and become a legend. He is going to jump all over the opportunity and when he does, the Patriots offense will be unstoppable.
GMS: Patrick Mahomes in on pace to throw for 80 touchdown passes. We know he can’t continue at that current clip, but how good is this guy and how many TDs will end have at season’s end if he stays healthy?
Related: Q&A’s with Glenn Gronkowski | Gronkcast
Gronk: We saw a similar situation with Alex Smith and the Chiefs last year. He came out hot, throwing for more yards and touchdowns than he has ever before and then the magic faded away. I will be surprised if we see another six touchdown game out of Mahomes, not because he isn’t talented but because teams are going to dissect the game film and make sure that doesn’t happen to their defense. As more game film is available, teams are going to find weaknesses and attack. This is Mahomes’ first year starting in the NFL. No matter how great you are, it takes time to perfect an offense and mistakes will be made.
GMS: Ryan FitzMagic has turned back the clock and is setting the league ablaze. When Jameis Winston is eligible to return in Week 4, who do you think should be the Bucs’ starting quarterback?
Gronk:This is a tough call and I think it comes down to this third game. If Ryan Fitzpatrick lights it up again in Week 3 then there is no way they can take him out of the starting role. He has the hot hand and you have to let it ride until something changes. The Bucs would be foolish to take Fitzpatrick out of the starting lineup in Week 4 if they are 3-0.
GMS: Can Bills Mafia count to 17? That’s the historic spread they are seeing for Buffalo’s matchup against Minnesota in Week 3. If you had to bet on this game, which side are you taking and why?
Gronk: Yes the Bills Mafia can count up to 17, they throw far more than 17 elbow drops through tables at every tailgate. They also chug more than 17 beers per game so we know that 17 is not a problem. The problem is the Bills did nothing to make the team better in the offseason. After watching them in Week 1, I didn’t even bother to watch them in Week 2 but I am going to go ahead and say that they do not cover against the Vikings in Week 3 even with the ridiculous 17-point spread.
GMS: What’s wrong with the New York Giants? Be honest, is Eli Manning done or do you think he still has what it takes to succeed in the NFL?
Gronk: The Giants defense has been stellar to start the year. Total yards allowed is sixth in the NFL after the first two weeks. Eli will figure it out, and with a solid defense he will have the opportunity to win games. The Giants need to figure out a way to get Saquon Barkley more involved in the offense and once the run game is rolling, the passing game will open up. Eli is good enough to win with the talent he has around him, they just need to come in a with a better game plan. It can’t be Odell Beckham Jr. or bust — they need to have other receivers involved in the game plan as well as a receiving threat out at the tight end position that can win a one-on-one matchup.
GMS: Toughie for the final question … why are NFL ratings down across the board?
Gronk: I am surprised that the ratings are down across the board in the NFL. The first two weeks have been extremely exciting and fun to watch. The Aaron Rodgers comeback and the Browns battling for their first win in over 600 days has had me hooked. There has even been some good smack talking about storylines built up around the league. I think you will see the NFL ratings go up in the following weeks.
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
