STAMFORD, CT – We’re just a few days away from opening day, not counting whatever happened in Japan, and a month from the NFL draft. So, let’s talk about Rob Gronkowski hanging ‘em up, the NY Giants endless draft options, Jacob deGrom, and the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.
The Gronk
Even for the biggest Pats haters out there (hand up), it was hard not to like Rob Gronkowski. He played like a rodeo bronco trying to shake a rider and off the field he behaved like a nerdy kid who woke up with muscles.
Wait, I just had a movie idea.
Johnny wanted to be smarter. Jimmy wanted to be stronger. Be careful what you wish for…
Coming to theaters this summer:
No one steal my idea.
Gronk thanked Kraft and the Pats organization but neglected to thank Dee Ford. Had Dee lined up the right side of the ball in the AFC Championship game, Gronk’s last play would have been the ball bouncing off his hands for a game-sealing, season-ending interception. Instead, his final legacy was a sweet diving grab in double-coverage to set up the only TD of the Worst Super Bowl Ever.
Happy trails, Gronk, thanks for the laughs.
Giants’ Options
You could make a case that the New York Giants could use their first round picks on a defensive tackle, edge rusher, linebacker, cornerback, offensive tackle, center, wide receiver, and of course, quarterback. The only positions that would be a surprise would be running back, with Saquon locking it down, safety with newly acquired Peppers and free agent addition Bethea, offensive guard with Hernandez and Zeitler, and TE, with Engram.
To sum up, they’re set at four positions. I’ll have to check with Mel Kiper, but that might not be a good thing.
deGrom
The only surprises on the New York Yankees Opening Day roster were forced upon them by injuries. Brodie Van Dubs may have hesitated on extending deGrom after the two players the Yankees extended before they had to, Hicks and Severino, both got hurt.
But while the New York Mets controlled Jake for another year after this, they extended him. I know deGrom is popular, but so was David Wright.
Yankees’ Roster
Anyway, the injuries to Severino, Hicks, and Betances opened the door for Domingo German, Luis Cessa, and someone named Mike Tauchmann to make the team. Tyler Wade played well enough to make the team and they probably want the speed and versatility he brings, but they don’t know what to do at first base.
They seem to want Bird and his lefty pop to win the job, even though Voit raked up all the leaves in the second half last season. They don’t really want to keep them both and something will have to give. If the whole infield stays healthy until Didi comes back, they will have a tough decision to make. But with Tulo and Bird’s injury histories, that’s a big if. But whatever happens, it’s hard to imagine them going long term with both.
The Yankees have had their ace, primary set up man, and center fielder get hurt, yet still sit atop plenty of power rankings. This team has depth and they’ll need it to catch the Red Sox.
Stop by tomorrow for Angry Ward, whose MTM career makes Gronk’s nine years look like a coffee break. Follow us on Twitter at @BenWhit8, @MeetTheMatts, @Matt_McCarthy00, Instagram @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
