It wasn't the intent of this project to fill up the last few rungs of the list with converted quarterbacks.
It just worked out that way in detailing the top 66 players of the Ralph Friedgen era.
(And, no, Erin Henderson will not be No. 64).
Gronkowski didn't last particularly long as a quarterback, quickly switching to tight end. The move went well with his 6-foot-6, 255-pound frame, and he wound up a significant contributor in each of his last three seasons.
He wasn't exactly a statistical dynamo early in his career, collecting just 11 receptions in his first three seasons while Vernon Davis and later Joey Haynos (and, at times, Jason Goode) were the favored targets among the Terrapins' tight ends.
That changed in 2008, when Gronkowski hauled in 29 catches for 287 yards and touchdowns in defeats of California, Eastern Michigan and N.C. State. He also had six receptions for 52 yards in a shutout of Wake Forest.
The final numbers weren't overwhelming --- 40 receptions, 401 yards, three touchdowns --- but his strength and blocking ability earned an honorable mention all-conference nod as a senior. Gronkowski went No. 255 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft to Detroit (one pick ahead of that year's Mr. Irrelevant, Ryan Succop) and played in two games as a rookie last season.
It's merely a coincidence --- and an amusing one at that --- Gronkowski checks in at the penultimate spot on this list. It's a fair placement for a guy who was never a star but almost always found a way to provide weekly help for three teams that reached bowl games.
Recent Comments