Exclusive Interview
                                                     Rob Gronkowski

                                  By: Aaron Fischman

 

December 20, 2008 - An Interview with Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski is a 6'6", 260 pound monster of a tight end for the Arizona Wildcats. As a sophomore this season, Gronkowski accumulated 645 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, helping Arizona to reach its first bowl game since 1998.

On Saturday, the Wildcats (7-5) will battle BYU (10-2) in the Las Vegas Bowl. Before the game our own Aaron Fischman interviewed Gronkowski about the move from the east to west coast, his big game against Washington and Arizona's upcoming matchup with 16th-ranked BYU.

Aaron Fischman: You were born in Buffalo, but now go to school in Tucson. What was the biggest adjustment going from the East to the West Coast?

Rob Gronkowski: The biggest adjustment was first being jet-lagged. I had to get used to the new time zone and get my sleep schedule back on track. Also the weather. I had to get used to the weather up here in Arizona. It is dry and [I] had to drink a lot of water.

AF: What steps did you take to improve coming into your sophomore year?

RG: I took many steps to improve. First off, working with our strength and speed coach five times a week. Coach Ed is the strength coach and going through his program definitely made me a better player overall. Also, working on my routes during the summer and during 7-on-7's all summer during the offseason got me ready.

AF: You had 109 yards and 3 TDs at home against Washington. Describe how it felt to put up numbers like that against a conference opponent.

RG: It felt good. It was my second game back and that game definitely gave me a confidence booster that I was back and ready to play after missing the first three games with mono [mononucleosis].

AF: Despite the fact that the [USC] Trojans shut down your passing attack, what does it say about your team to only lose 17-10? How close were you guys to winning that one?

RG: We were real close to winning that game. Our defense played real well and kept us in the game the whole time. USC has a great defense and shut down our offensive game. Even though we lost by 7, a loss is a loss and as an offense we felt like we needed to improve a lot after that game.

AF: In a losing effort, you caught 12 passes for 143 yards against Oregon. Talk about the mixed emotions that come with a strong individual performance in a team loss.

RG: Definitely had some mixed emotions. It always feels good to have a great game, but if you don't win that game it really doesn't matter to me and the losing emotion takes over. I always strive for a good game and hopefully we get the win along with it every time.

AF: With regard to the running game, talk about the emergence of Keola Antonin and the improved play of Nic Grigsby.

RG: Our running game has improved a lot from last year. The line is doing a great job blocking for our running backs. Both running backs are shifty and know how to run well. Both are really good running backs. It's great having a running game like that (having two great running backs) because it sets up the pass game.

AF: Last season the Wildcats were much more of a passing offense. How does this season’s more balanced attack take some of the pressure off quarterback Willie Tuitama and the tight ends and receivers?

RG: It's great having a run game like we do. It definitely takes stress [off of] Willie and the recievers. Having that balanced attack sets up our throwing game, which helps out a lot.

AF: What does Tuitama’s leadership mean to the team? What are his chances of playing in the NFL?

RG: Tuitama's leadership is huge. He controls everything going on with the offense and knows what is going on at all times. He brings his game every time, along with a good attitude to get us all ready for either practice or game-time. I think he has a great chance at the NFL.

AF: Beside your 6’6"-260 frame, what makes you such an attractive endzone target?

RG: Along with my size, I think my ability to move around and get open in the red zone.

AF: What does it mean to you to be able to play on the same team as your older brother?

RG: It means a whole lot. It's great having him on the team. You know you always have someone there for you and it's great having him line up next to me. It's a dream come true.

AF: Receiver Mike Thomas is leading the team in receiving yards for the fourth straight year. How much will he be missed next year?

RG: He will be missed hugely. [The] leadership he brings to the team is huge. He has such great ability that he gets other receievers open due to his speed and greatness.

AF: What is something that not many people know about your coach, Mike Stoops? Is it safe to assume that the Wildcats will be rooting for Mike’s brother’s team, the Oklahoma Sooners, in the National Championship Game?

RG: Yeah, it is safe to assume the Wildcats will be rooting for Oklahoma in the championship game. Some people think Coach Stoops is just always yelling. But he teaches a lot to the players in practice and has some good jokes sometimes.

AF: So, the team is headed to Las Vegas for U of A’s first bowl appearance in 10 years. What does it mean for the school and the athletic program?

RG: It is huge for the school. Going to a bowl game for the first time in a decade is huge. It's amazing. It's big for the school and [the] athletics program. Everyone has been waiting for a bowl game for a while and it has finally come.

AF: How much of a challenge is focusing strictly on football when your bowl game is in the “City of Sin”?

RG: Yeah, that might be a challenge for some. Being in such a nice city and all the outside stuff going on there, we just need to focus up and have the leaders on our team make sure nothing happens. We are there to have a fun time, but most importantly we are there to win a football game.

AF: 16th-ranked BYU is a very formidable opponent in the Las Vegas Bowl. Without revealing too much, how do you plan on attacking their defense?

RG: We just [have] to go out and play fast...We just have to be ready to play and do what we do best, come out with some fire-power in are offense.

AF: Robert Gronkowski, I’m giving you a Heisman vote. Who are you voting for and why?

RG: I would have voted for Tim Tebow because it would have been cool to see someone win it two years in a row as a sophmore and a junior.

 

 

 

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