"He's the one who took my game to a whole new level," Gronkowski explained during a recent appearance on "The Ryen Russillo Podcast." Picked in the second round of the 2010 draft by New England, Gronkowski was initially seen as a high-upside prospect given his talent, though injuries had limited him during his collegiate career. But thanks to Belichick, Tom Brady, and the rest of New England's program, Gronkowski reached his full potential. In just his second season, he notched 17 receiving touchdowns (a single season record for NFL tight ends).
In a way, definitely," he began. "I feel like going to New England was actually the best thing for me. I would not have changed my first nine years in the NFL being here in New England. I kind of was a freelancer a little bit. I like that structure of a program. I like that discipline that Coach Belichick has. It's more old school, and I feel like it was a perfect fit for me.
That's what I needed early in my career," Gronkowski concluded, pointing to other benefits of being alongside the experience of Belichick. "How knows the playbooks, how to scheme you open, and how to make you better as a player."
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