Rob Gronkowski: Should Patriots TE Be Considered a 2011 NFL MVP Candidate?

It may be hard to believe but New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is putting up MVP-like numbers this season, as he's emerged as arguably the NFL's best tight end. 

Gronkowski has already tied the NFL's single-season tight end record for touchdown receptions with 13 in just 12 games. To go along with his 13 scores, Gronkowski has reeled in 65 passes for 928 yards, a stellar average of 14.3 yards per reception. Oh and by the way, Gronkowski is one of the best blocking tight ends that the league has to feature. 

It's hard to believe that Gronk is only in his second season in the NFL, but he's playing like an MVP candidate. 

Don't get me wrong, I do not think that Gronk will be named the 2011 Most Valuable Player, but he's certainly deserves his share of recognition. 

Standing in at 6'6" and weighting a whopping 265 lbs., Gronk has  been virtually unstoppable for every team the Patriots have faced this season, with no team able to produce an answer in covering the University of Arizona product. 

Gronk plays as your traditional tight end that presents a huge target for Tom Brady, as well as being a major player in the red zone. 

In this Week 10 game against the New York Jets, Gronkowski displayed his skills as a traditional tight end in a big way with this five-yard touchdown reception.

New England came in a simple four-wide and one running back shotgun formation with Gronkowski lined up wide right—which is unusual for a tight end, but Gronk's versatility allows New England to use such formations.

At the snap of the ball, Gronkowski accelerates forward, using his speed to beat a safety, and with that speed, he forces the safety to play back on his heels. Gronk then abruptly plants his right foot to make a clean, crisp cut to gain leverage. 

So what's the result? Great position on the defender and Gronk creating a huge window for Brady to gun the ball in.

Gronk is just the ideal red-zone tight end, as he's able to explode off the line and then uses his large frame to create separation and gain position on his defender to create the large passing window for Brady.

However, it doesn't end there—Gronkowski is is not your typical tight end and is just as athletic as a wide receiver.

In this Week 12 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, New England comes out in an open backfield, five wide receiver set with Gronk lining up at the left inside slot. 

At the snap of the ball, Gronk uses his freakish speed to beat Philly's linebacker, which obviously creates the separation. 

Then Gronk finds the seam in between the linebacker and the safety, and uses his large frame to create a window for Brady to drop the ball in for a 24-yard touchdown. 

Gronkowski may not win the 2011 MVP, but he certainly deserves credit for his phenomenal season thus far. More importantly however, he deserves the label as the NFL's best tight end. 

You cannot deny Gronk's production this season and his remarkable chemistry with Brady—it's something almost impossible to defend for opposing defenses. With that being said, add in his freakish talents and abilities, and again, he is the NFL's premiere tight end. 

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