Chris Gronkowski thought his first snaps as Peyton Manning’s fullback were imminent when he signed with the Colts in 2011. But due to Manning’s well-documented health issues during his final season in Indianapolis, Chris’ first snaps in the same backfield as No. 18 came last week, after the Broncos dealt cornerback Cassius Vaughn to Indy in exchange for the middle Gronkowski brother.
“When I went into Indy last year, I was kind of shocked by it,” Gronkowski said. “I haven’t gotten to play with Peyton yet because once I got to Indy, he was already out. I know he always wanted a fullback, that’s what they told me when I got to Indy. I hope I do what he expects.”
“This is my first time on the field with him and so far it’s been great. He’s making sure everyone’s doing the right thing.”
Naturally, one of the first people Chris heard from after hearing he was Denver-bound was his older brother Dan, who spent the 2010 season in Denver.
“I was at practice [when I heard I had been traded to Denver],” Chris said. “It was right after practice and [Colts General Manager Ryan] Grigson came up to me and told me he had good news for me.”
“My brother Dan had a lot to say,” he continued. “He was the first one to call me. I made sure I talked to him right away. He told me loved it here and that it was a great place, that he was sad that he was gone.”
As for making a name for himself as one of three brothers playing in the NFL, Chris said he’d rather focus on enjoying the ride and earning a reputation of his own.
“I’m right in between Rob and Dan,” Gronkowski said. “Dan’s real conservative and quiet. He stays to himself and doesn’t really go out to the media and go crazy like my younger brother Rob. I like to have fun too, but I just don’t go to the level that Rob goes to. It’s cool. It’s more about my brother Rob, but it feels good to get my name thrown in there too every once in a while. We’re just having fun with it. Having three brothers in the league has been real fun for the whole family, and we’re just trying to keep it going.”
O-LINE BUILDING CHEMISTRY
Dating back to his sophomore season at Boise State, Offensive Tackle Ryan Clady has missed just two games over the past seven seasons. At a position as rigorous as offensive tackle, Clady finds offseason OTAs beneficial for a number of reasons.
He believes that every second the offensive line is able to spend together provides a valuable opportunity to work on the unit’s chemistry.
“Yeah, I think OTAs definitely help out, especially younger guys,” Clady said. “I had OTAs my rookie year and it definitely helped me out a lot. I would’ve been lost come training camp without one. So OTAs definitely help out for younger guys.”
“There’s chemistry coming along, just getting used to the offense. Remembering things and what not.”
In addition to Offensive Line Coach Dave Magazu, Broncos linemen also are taking advantage of the insight of guard Chris Kuper, who has become a bit of a player-coach throughout an offseason he has spent rehabilitating from an injury he sustained during the final regular season game of 2011.
“I’ve seen him on and off the whole offseason,” Clady said. “He’s definitely progressing, starting to jog now, stuff like that. It’s nice to see him. Hopefully he’ll be ready for training camp.”
“We call him ‘Coach Kuper’ right now,” Clady smiled. “He’s coaching up the young guys for the most part and just watching.”
Tags: Chris Gronkowski, Ryan Clady
LMBO
Thanks Tide – I’m hoping that is the way it is. The hardest part is that I tend to micro manage my family in the sense that I get involved in everything and make certain they go through the process of making good decisions. Now my entire dream process is all screwed up trying to make these inexperienced kids make the decisions that I want them to make. It’s tough keeping my mouth shut!!! LOL
…especially on things like the son-in-laws motorcycles – places he wants to camp for their honeymoon – etc. Mrs. Daddy wants me to focus on the fact that he can afford a full month of honeymoon. ahhhh…not so much!!!
I think you’re right on the cable…it’s just a high use time for the neighborhood. What…don’t these people work? LOL
Hey Miller – is it windy where you are? Gusts up to 40mph feels like it’s gonna tear my house apart. If it knocks my fence down again – Daddy is plain, just gonna pop! It’s gonna be a blood pressure explosion – stay clear of the vicinity…it’s getting dangerous!!! LOL
Daddy, thats neat to hear. Its another chapter in your life to go through those difficult father ordeals. Soon, you`ll be a pro at this Son-in-law stuff. Yikes! Hang in there DaddyBronc. Gods got your back.
turtle. seriously. me and bay NEVER agreed. EVER. you gotta stop making stuff up its getting ridiculous. i understand the lying to come up with the lose pretty thing i guess, kinday funny, but to knock down my description of what i think with ‘i just said what bay said’ is just flat out false. again. now maybe bay said some things and i chimed in he was right, but on the whole we saw many things completely differently but i respected bay. he didnt make crap up to be right or to insult. he’s no LOOF! now start making sense with some reality mixed in here and there before i send you to blog time out..
DB, yes its very windy here also, 77 outside feels like 62.
LBF that was funny, blog time out, priceless
new blog
well i only saw that page i guess from last night i guess it refreshed wrong. looks like i just came out of the blue with that one! i was refering to a post from last night. in the 9 oclock range i think. but hey db, strand, tide, & miller. good to see a good and busy offseason blog. and good to hear from bay again. i wonder if he’ll ever get back on here full time? you know so we can agree on everything again. haha.