Rob Gronkowski's second retirement from the NFL has generated a lot dialog about legacies — not solely his however that of his former coach, Invoice Belichick.
Gronk's accomplishments are huge, and he is been in a position to construct a Corridor of Fame profession since being chosen within the second spherical (forty second general) in 2010. However because the gifted tight finish's arrival, it is a problem to recall every other homegrown offensive gamers who've actually thrived underneath Belichick.
That led Colin Cowherd to ponder whether or not Gronk was the final good offensive participant drafted by Belichick, and the way that may have performed a task in what he views because the decline of the New England Patriots dynasty.
Is Rob Gronkowski Invoice Belichick's final nice offensive draft choose?
Colin Cowherd reacts to Gronk's retirement and explains what this reveals about Invoice Belichick and the New England Patriots.
"[Gronkowski] is the final nice offensive participant drafted by a person we expect is the perfect soccer coach within the NFL," Cowherd mentioned. "Nate Solder, nice offensive sort out, not dominating. James White is a greater receiver than a runner at operating again from Wisconsin. He is it."
Productive offensive draft picks the Patriots have made — apart from the earlier two talked about — embrace Mac Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo, Sony Michel and Damien Harris. Jones is coming off his rookie season, in fact. Jimmy G moved on to the 49ers way back. Michel was traded to the Rams earlier than final season, solely his fourth, and is now on the Dolphins. Harris ran for 15 touchdowns in 2021 however is extra of a task participant than a star.
In 2021, Gronk's eleventh within the NFL, he ranked seventh amongst tight ends in receiving yards (802) and TDs (seven) whereas serving to the Buccaneers return to the playoffs.
"You have seen what's occurred within the NFL," Cowherd mentioned. "You have received to have the ability to draft offense, design offense, and develop offense. That is why the Rams gained the Tremendous Bowl.
"Belichick can't design offense. There is no proof of that earlier than Tom Brady or after. We all know within the final decade, that he can't draft offense. And I might argue, that he by no means developed it."
Cowherd prompt that this was a problem for defensive-minded coaches all through the trendy NFL.
"Belichick is struggling, Ron Rivera is struggling, Pete Carroll is struggling, Brian Flores, Vic Fangio, and Mike Zimmer have been fired, and by the way in which, Mike Tomlin, as a lot as we love him, has not gained a playoff recreation in six years," Cowherd mentioned. "The one ascending defensive coach is Sean McDermott at Buffalo, and I will go together with ... I believe it is the quarterback."
Solely time will inform if Cowherd's bigger statement is correct, however there isn't any denying the Pats have not hit on sufficient of their offensive draft picks since Gronk. They took six extra swings with the 2022 draft, nonetheless, and will probably be fascinating to see if the probabilities they took assist flip issues round.
