Details about Gronkowski's $54 million deal

By PFW staff

The Patriots have signed TE Rob Gronkowski to a six-year, $54 million deal, making Gronk the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the signing.

"Congrats to Gronk & his family on his contract extension with the Patriots," Gronkowski's agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted. "My thanks to Mr. Kraft & Coach Belichick for making this possible."

According to Pro Football Talk, the deal contains $13.17 million guaranteed, which includes an $8 million signing bonus and each of Gronkowski's first three base salaries. Another $5 million is guaranteed for injury only. The Patriots will have to decide in 2016 whether or not to pick up a $10 million option bonus.

Gronkowski is entering his third season in the NFL and the third of his rookie contract. The 2010 second-rounder set a tight-end record last season with 17 touchdown catches. He had 90 receptions for 1,327 yards — also a single-season record for tight ends — and added a rushing score.

As a rookie, Gronkowski had 42 catches for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gronkowski had ankle surgery this offseason after suffering a high ankle sprain in the AFC championship game, which hampered him in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants.


The way we see it
This is a big move by the Patriots to keep arguably the league’s best tight end in Foxborough for the long term. Gronkowski has helped revolutionize the TE position. Gronk had a monster season in 2011, and defenses could not stop him. While he gets most of his accolades for his receiving, Gronkowski rarely leaves the field and is an adept run blocker for the Patriots. As much flak as the Patriots have received for how they handle contracts with certain players, most recently WR Wes Welker, who is right now playing under the franchise tag, they have been efficient with young, elite talent, such as signing LB Jerod Mayo to an extension last December.

Next offseason, the Patriots have big contracts to consider, including Patrick Chung and Sebastian Vollmer. After that, the team will have to look at TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes and CB Devin McCourty. From a financial standpoint, getting Gronkowski’s deal done soon gives the Patriots some flexibility heading into two offseasons that could involve big spending to keep such skilled players from recent draft classes.

The Saints will be looking closely at this deal, as the market is now set for the seam-stretching tight ends like Jimmy Graham, who also had a sensational 2011 campaign.

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Cutler believes Forte signs his tender before deadline

Posted by Josh Alper on June 8, 2012, 6:09 PM EDT

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Bears quarterback Jay Cutler knows what Matt Forte means to the Bears offense.

During an interview on ESPN 100 Radio in Chicago, Cutler said that the team needs Forte “to get where we need to be” and opined that Forte knew that as well. As a result, Cutler believes that Forte will sign his franchise tender — recent reports indicate that the Bears want him to do that before further negotiations on a long-term deal — and join the team at the start of training camp.

Chargers pick up Ronnie Brown

Posted by Mike Florio on June 8, 2012, 5:27 PM EDT

AP

Chargers coach Norv Turner recently said that running back Ryan Mathews reminds Turner of Ricky Williams.  The comparison becomes even more clear now, given that the Chargers have added the guy who used to share touches with Ricky in Miami.

The Chargers have announced that running backRonnie Brown, the second overall pick in the 2005 draft, has joined the team.

It’s a one-year deal for a guy who languished on the free-agent market.  Though on the wrong side of 30, Brown never has been a workhorse back, which means that the tires likely still have some tread.

Fairley: My actions were inexcusable

Brad Biggs - National Football Post

Titus Young met with reporters and did his best to explain his situation after missing a week of OTA’s following a sucker-punch attack on teammate Louis Delmas.

But Nick Fairley, the other Detroit Lion to be in hot water lately, has yet to speak publicly. The defensive tackle, arrested last month for DUI on the heels of his April arrest on charges of marijuana possession, did release a statement.

Rex thinks Tebow's strength and focus are "crazy"

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 8, 2012, 1:16 PM EDT

It was a year ago today that a picture of Tim Tebow playing golf garnered attention across America because Tebow’s arms looked like those of a bodybuilder, not a quarterback. Tebow has changed teams since then, but he’s as strong as ever.

Jets coach Rex Ryan was asked about Tebow’s intangibles after Thursday’s Organized Team Activity, and Ryan responded by talking about Tebow’s feats of strength.

“Let me give you a little story about Tim,” Ryan said. “I saw this in the weight room. A player had challenged him, holding these big huge sledgehammers. They held them doing this big iron cross kind of deal. The big lineman went first. [Tebow] said you want to go first or second. The big lineman said he’d go first. He went for about a 1:04, shaking. Tim went for 1:18. This guy is crazy with how strong he is and the kind of focus [he has]. I see that from him. He’s super competitive.”

It’s great that Tebow competes in the weight room, but does that really make much of a difference on the field? Ryan says it absolutely does. And although some would say Tebow relies too much on his strength and athleticism as a runner and still hasn’t learned to be an NFL passer, Ryan likes the way Tebow approaches the quarterback position.

“You can be in a team deal, he sees cover five, which is two-man, he’s back there and you’d like to see him throw the football, he’s going to run it,” Ryan said. “If he sees two-man, guess what? He’s going to run it anyway. You see some of that in him. He’s done some things in some previous practices, where it’s like, wow, that’s a football player.”

Ryan said it can be frustrating during practices for the Jets’ defense that Tebow does things, as Troy Polamalu says, that shouldn’t work in the NFL. But Ryan supports Tebow completely.

“The defense will start chirping about him, ‘Come on. Throw the ball, stand back and throw the ball,’” Ryan said. “Why? If he sees two-man, he’s running with it. Someone better go out there and make a tackle. I think everyone sees Tim for what he is. He’s a super competitive guy and a good teammate. I’ve noticed he’s always building guys up. By the way, he’s a talented kid, or young man.”

Tebow’s talent for holding up a heavy sledgehammer is a neat trick in the weight room. It remains to be seen whether he has the talent to succeed as a quarterback on the football field.

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Thomas Davis trying to come back after 3rd ACL tear

Posted by Josh Alper on June 8, 2012, 11:50 AM EDT

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Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis‘ comeback from three torn ACLs in his right knee is moving right along.

Coach Ron Rivera told the Associated Pressthat he is hopeful that Davis can be a contributor to the defense this season, a feeling strengthened by the news that Davis got a positive report from Dr. James Andrews about the state of his knee. That may lead the Panthers to increase Davis’ workload at next week’s minicamp. Up until now, Davis has been doing only individual work but it sounds like it is time for the next test.

Davis has missed 39 of the last 48 Panthers games as a result of his knee issues, but that didn’t stop him from making some bold predictions about what he will be able to do this season. Even if Davis might not make good on his 19-game prediction, it won’t make getting back on the field any less impressive. It is believed that Davis will be the first player ever to return to the field after suffering three torn ACLs in the same knee.

Jon Beason is also trying to return from a season-ending injury. If both are able to avoid any further setbacks, the Panthers defense will be in much better shape than it was last season.

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Ochocinco's inability to learn an offense lingers

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 8, 2012, 11:43 AM EDT

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Chad Ochocinco has been released by the Patriots, and in the stories about what went wrong for him in New England, a consistent theme emerges: He simply never learned the playbook.

Whether Ochocinco’s problem was more a matter of being unable or unwilling to do the work necessary to pick up the Patriots’ offense, several reports say that nearly a year after he was traded from Cincinnati to New England, he still didn’t know his assignments, down to his last day with the Patriots.

Robert Griffin III doesn't want to be labeled a running quarterbac

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 8, 2012, 9:02 AM EDT

AP

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has beenpraised for his arm during Organized Team Activities, and Griffin wants to keep it that way.

Although Griffin was a track star early in his college career, and although he ran for 33 touchdowns at Baylor, he hates the idea that people would consider him a runner first and a passer second.

“I don’t want people to think I’m just an option quarterback,” Griffin said. “It’s not something you can prove, I don’t think. Perception is reality so it doesn’t matter how many yards you throw for, what you do in practice or what you do in the games. If you can run a little bit you’ll always be smacked with that stereotype.”

There’s never been an athlete quite like Griffin — a hurdler good enough that he could have been an Olympian if he hadn’t turned his attention to football — at the quarterback position. But that doesn’t mean Griffin is an athlete before he’s a quarterback. Griffin wants to be known as a passer who just happens to be a fast runner, when he needs to be.

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Friday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on June 8, 2012, 9:07 AM EDT

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Said Bills DT Marcell Dareus, “I want to bring to the table a more in shape Marcell. I want to be more in shape, flying to the ball more than I did last year, more than I did ever. So I really want to get off the ball, get to the ball, run to the ball, be non-stop, have a motor that’s non-stop going. I want to be in better shape physically and mentally ready to go.”

Will Hard Knocks help the Dolphins win back disgruntled fans?

The Patriots hope they got a steal in seventh-round CB Alfonzo Dennard.

The Jets took a look at Quinton Coples playing linebacker.

WR Deonte Thompson has been turning heads at Ravens practice.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer doesn’t think there’s a reunion coming for the Bengals and WR Chad Ochocinco.

Browns QB Brandon Weeden thinks his professional baseball experience will help him.

Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler turned down a coordinator job with the Colts because he felt it was too big a risk.

The Texans breathed a little easier when TE Owen Daniels and CB Brice McCain both emerged from a collision unscathed.

The Colts website learned a little bit about the background of Colts coach Chuck Pagano.

Jemele Hill of ESPN.com thinks the Jaguars should make WR Justin Blackmonearn his money.

The Titans hope Leroy Harris makes a seamless transition from left to right guard.

The Broncos think Quinton Carter and Rahim Moore will be better safeties this season.

June 18th looms as a big day for several injured Chiefs.

Raiders WR Louis Murphy says that he’s playing with a big chip on his shoulderthis year.

There’s a lot of new in the Chargers passing game.

Cowboys rookie WR Danny Coale hopes his broken foot heals in time for training camp.

With Giants coach Tom Coughlin calling “Riders Up” at the Belmont, jockeys are advised to be on the horses five minutes ahead of schedule.

DT Derek Landri has provided the Eagles with a lot of bang for little bucks.

Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson still isn’t ready for team drills.

Shifting to defensive end has been just fine with Bears first-round pick Shea McClellin.

Lions T Jeff Backus has been serving as a mentor for rookie Riley Reiff.

CB Davon House is learning a lot in his first full offseason with the Packers.

WR Jerome Simpson has been impressing observers at Vikings practice.

The Falcons feel comfortable with Chris Redman as their backup quarterback.

Said Panthers S Haruki Nakamura, “When I get a chance to hit somebody, I’m going to do it. I may be a 5-10, 200-pound guy, but I don’t shy away from much.”

Michael Rosenberg of SI.com looks at Saints LB Jonathan Vilma’s fight with theNFL.

Plenty of former Buccaneers are involved in the concussion lawsuits against the league.

Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett is one of many NFL devotees of a small Maryland gym.

DE Chris Long said that the Rams have gotten more athletic on defense.

RB Anthony Dixon knows he’s going to have to fight for his spot on the 49ers this summer.

You can watch Seahawks hopeful Brian Banks’ entire post-tryout press conferenceon the team’s website.

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Conflicting reports on potential deal for Drew Brees

Brad Biggs - National Football Post

The New Orleans Saints wrap up minicamp today without Drew Brees but some believe the quarterback will be arriving soon – as in the next few days.

Others say not so fast.

WWL Radio sideline reporter Kristian Garic reports that Brees “very possibly” could be signed “as early as Friday morning” or “at the latest by Monday” because “the two sides have really closed the gap, and it may be just minor details at this point.:

Pats reportedly agree to new deal with Gronkowski

Posted by Mike Florio on June 7, 2012, 11:48 PM EDT

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The Patriots apparently are giving tight endRob Gronkowski a few million reasons to dance with his shirt off.

A league source tells PFT that the Patriots and Gronkowski have reached agreement on a contract that would replace the final two seasons of his rookie deal.  A second-round pick in 2010, Gronkowski is due to earn $540,000 in 2012 and $575,000 in 2013.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, denies that a deal has been reached.

Gronkowski, who slid to round two due to a back injury that wiped out his final season at Arizona, set single-season records for tight ends with 1,327 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. He added an 18th touchdown on a two-yard run.

As a rookie, Gronkowski scored 10 touchdowns and generated 546 receiving yards.

He continues to recover from a badly-sprained ankle suffered during the AFC title game.  Though Gronkowski was able to play in the Super Bowl, he has surgery within a week after the game.

Terms of the agreement aren’t known.  Under the pre-2011 CBA, rookie deals may be renegotiated after two years.  As of 2011, rookie contracts cannot be re-done until the player has three years of service.

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