[Quack Attack]

Gronkowski is UA's go-to guy



by Doug Haller - Aug. 17, 2009 11:52 PM
The Arizona Republic



His name popped up in Los Angeles last month, when Cam Nelson dined with fellow defensive players the night before media day. Nelson, a safety at the PAC 10 media day, understood the curiosity. Teammate Rob Gronkowski is a conversation starter. At 6 feet 6 and 265 pounds, he's the best tight end in the conference and probably one of the top two in the country.

"You meet a guy like Robby, you think he's cloned or something, because he's a very strong, physical guy," Nelson said. "I remember one play in the spring, one of our hard-hitting Sterling Lewis, had a 15-yard start on Robby when Robby was running a drag (route). I thought that was going to be it for Robby, but he came down, and it sounded like a train wreck. I opened my eyes, and Robby was still running."

No one seems to know what to make of UA's chances this season, but everyone seems to agree on one point: Gronkowski will be a major factor in its quest. Thus his recent injury - a back strain - causes concern. Coach Mike Stoops recently told reporters that Gronkowski could miss a week, maybe more. The goal, he said, is to get Gronkowski "as healthy as we can."

When he's right, Gronkowski alters game day. He missed three games last season because of mononucleosis and still finished with 47 catches for 672 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had three scores against Washington and burned Oregon for 12 receptions and 143 yards.

"Obviously, it was one of those career nights when we didn't have an answer for him," former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "And at times when we thought we did, he still found a way to get the ball."
Even on this stage, Gronkowski's power draws rave reviews.
"You see kids in high school carrying four or five guys," UA tackle Mike Diaz said. "In (Division I), that's not supposed to happen."
Said Oregon State linebacker Keaton Kristick: "One of the hardest people I've had to take down."

Gronkowski is the son of Gordon Gronkowski, owner of a string of national-fitness retail outlets. The junior from Woodland Hills High in Pittsburgh has four brothers, all standout athletes. Dan, who played at Maryland last season, is battling for a roster spot with the Detroit Lions as a tight end. Chris is an H-back at UA. Then there's Glenn, still in high school but considered by many as perhaps the best athlete of the lot, which is a tough sell.

When UA Tim Kish recruited Gronkowski, he saw someone physical enough to dominate the line in football, yet athletic enough in basketball to average 21 points and 18 rebounds.
"He just had a physical presence that not many kids in high school have," Kish said. "It was a no-brainer."

As a freshman in 2007, Gronkowski had 28 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns. Last season, he was a third-team Associated Press All-American and made first-team all-conference. As a result, offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes visited Dallas at the end of the year to study how the Cowboys used Jason Witten, considered one of pro football's better tight ends. His conclusion: UA is on the right track.

"If people want to take him away, they can with two guys," Stoops said, "but it's going to open up other parts. That's where we have to be smart. If he's going to demand that much attention, we can't force the ball.
"We've got to be able to get the ball in other people's hands then get away from that and get the ball back to him." That sounds good to Gronkowski, who said he has just one simple goal. "I want to be the go-to guy," he said. "Make the big play when we need it, be there when we need that first down." In the end, UA's season might just depend on it.