Gronk vs Moss

I stand confidently in arguing that Gronk in 2011 had a better year than Moss in 2007. First and foremost, Gronk is a 4 down player.  He played 97% of the offensive snaps in 2011.  Randy sometimes found it hard to play 4 consecutive downs. Gronk is a difference maker on every down, as a true double threat to block or catch. Moss was one dimensional, stubborn, and predictable (albeit historically prolific). Let us put the ankle injury aside for a few minutes and analyze some numbers.

Gronk had 90 rec. for 1,327 yds and 18 total TDs 

Moss had 98 rec. for 1,493 yds and 23 TDs

Moss had a great year in 2007 that solidified his HOF spot, but did the running game benefit from his blocking downfield?  Did Moss do as much as Gronk to help the team win day in and day out? I doubt it. Moss was there to get his.  It was awesome to watch, but going deep gets old. So did Randy.

Gronkowski’s greatest strength is that he is indeed “a product of the system.” Likewise, the system is made for Gronkowski. His versatility makes the Patriots offense versatile. His freakish ability, rock-solid consistency and iron-man efforts are already cemented in Patriot folk lore, but January and February are the months where legends are born.  This is where both men came up inches short.

Gronkowski came up a bit short on the final play of Superbowl XLVI.

Moss came up short on the last plays of Superbowl XLII.

We'll call the postseason a push, but I will take Gronk for the future.