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
LOL1 One of my best buds is a Bears fan. And he can`t stand Cutler at all. HaHa!!
None of them can. My brother and I are Cutler fans though so it drives her crazy. She doesn’t understand us at all. LOL! I told her that we’re probably the last two Bronco fans that are! LOL
I love Walter Payton though so I’ve always kind of followed the Bears.
Cat, my ex-wife is a Cowboys fan. And theres a gal at my church who I think the world of thats a good friend whos a Cowboys fan also. A attract Dallas fans, whats up with that?! LOL
But she HATES Peyton Manning, so this is hilariously fun for me. I told her that I want a Manning Bowl and if we can’t have a Manning Bowl then I want the Broncos and the Bears to go at it in the SB so that Peyton can beat them twice. LOL
If someone doesn`t like Walter, then they are not American. LOL
I hate the Cowboys! My cousin moved to Texas so he decided to become a Cowboys and Broncos fan. Why? If I lived in Texas, I’d follow the Texans!!! LOL we argue about it, it’s great!
That would be ideal! Holy Shnikeys!!
Thats fun though! All in good humor.
I`ve always liked Peyton.
Holy Shnikeys is right, fit? If we went up against the Bears in the SB, it would be epic! LOL
Fit should be right. My iPad doesn’t like me.
Your making me drule. Put me on DEFENSE!! LOL
LOL!!!!!! it would be more epic than anything I can think of right now. Cutler versus the team that traded him, who has gone through three QB changes since, with possibly the best of all time at the helm. It gives me goosebumps!!!!!!!! And, in New Orleans! We’d have Bronco fans EVERYWHERE!!!!!! LOL
Broncos vs Bears, sounds like B n B, put the Bears to BED !! HaHa!!
It would definitely not be a neutral fanbase. LOL
Ok ok, they’d be Manning fans, but I’m a little okay with that! LOL
To kill Cutler in the SB would be the Crowning Crishindow. Wrong spelling. LOL
I don`t hate Cutler, I`m over that story. LOL
I remember watching Archy back in the day. And he can scramble. LOL
And LBF would love that. LOL
LOL, it’s all good. But beating him in the SB would be very nice since we didn’t get to play against him last year.
He sure was a mobile QB, funny how different they are.
Jay is maturing I think. He`s starting to mellow out a bit.
Jay is going to have an amazing season. They really are setting up like we are. Very serious… But I would’ve liked it if they would take the concerns at oline seriously. They can’t win without him.
They are a tight knit family. So true what you said.
They better be serious about Forte too.
They are being very stupid about that whole thing. They really don’t want to lose Forte!
We should get back to talking about us beating them in the Super Bowl before I get called out for lovin on Jay too much! LOL
Urlacher`s days are numbered also, he`s not getting any younger.
No worries Cat. Who cares?!
The fact that Peyton came to Denver really made him think about his future, too. Did you see his interview where he said he’d love to stay with the Bears, but he is intrigued by FA. LOL I think Peyton has made some of those guys think about that when they wouldn’t have before.
Alright, if you’re good with it! LOL
Of course, Peyton was given a choice, retire or we cut ties with you. He is NOT done winning SBs.
The woman I told you about at my church who`s a Cowboys fan. She doesn`t like the Broncos at all, but when Tebow started and was catching fire she got interested because she loves what Tim Tebow stood for and she`s a very godly women. So when the Broncos traded Tebow, she texted me that said, well, there goes that idea. Also A few weeks ago I helped her and her father do some work around their place. I showed up with a Peyton Manning Broncos shirt I just bought and , boy did she eat my lunch. LMAO!!
I agree! Peyton just might still have a RING or TWO still left in him. LOL
That is awesome! Everyone at work thought I was going to be so upset, but I was running around on the 19th telling everybody he’d chosen Denver! I wasn’t supposed to know because I gave up sports for lent, but my cousin wouldn’t stop texting me! I was so mad when CBS4 did not txt me about Manning, but was texting me everything about Tebow. I was like… Uh? but everyone expected me to be a mess and they could not believe my reaction. I found out that while I love Tim, I am a true Bronco and bleed orange and blue. It was eye opening for me. Peyton Freakin Manning! LOL
I love football. Just love it. Its not every day that one of the best ever chooses your team! LOL Go John Elway!
I’m ok with losing fans who only loved us because of Tim. We will have plenty that only love us because of Manning too.
I feel the same way. I was torn over the whole thing. I`m a big Tim Tebow fan and always will be but I`m a true Orange n Blue Broncos fan and have been since the mid 70`s.
the bears need forte like a fat kid needs cake! they better sign him long term. and one or two rings is right. i would put a lot of money on him winning one and not as much but some more money on him winning two or three. it will happen. its just a matter of how many! and theres alot of cowboy fans here in shreveport. almost as many as there are saints fans. and they are just as annoying! i cant stand the cowboys myself. i like the texans okay, tho. they have kubiak and i can drive to their games cuz they are close enough.
It was bitter sweet. Those are the best words I can come up with!
Yeah, I don’t buy the whole “injury risk” reason, LBF. They gotta sign Forte!
Thats life I guess. My friend bleeds blue with the Cowboys, but loves Tm tebow because of his Character and what Timmy stands for. I enjoy that about her.
Well said Louisiana!
If the Bears don`t sign Forte, their crazy!
Of course she loves Tim for who he is. I don’t understand people who don’t, but haters will always be haters!
I wonder if we`ll sign Osweiler and Hillman this week. We need a new subject to wet our appitite.
I ink so. We at least will hear a bit from Warren and Prater at least!
Oh Man, goota sign Prater long term!