Pundits hope Gronkowski brings his fun-loving personality to the Fox airwavesGETTY IMAGES
It is "going to be must-see TV" when Rob Gronkowski "makes his small-screen debut" tomorrow in primetime as an NFL studio analyst for Fox prior to Giants-Patriots, according to Jessica Heslam of the BOSTON HERALD. One hopes the "lovable lummox retains his goofy charm and doesn't get over-managed by the network and turned into a robotic talking-head." Gronkowski always has "given great sound bites in his post-game interviews and if Fox is lucky, he'll stay away from this type of industry jargon and instead be the eccentric gift that keeps on giving" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/9). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said "it might be fun" watching Gronkowski on Fox because he thinks he is "relatively unhinged and he played for the Patriots and he might say something in the pregame" ("PTI," ESPN, 10/8). In Phoenix, Bob McManaman writes if fans "tune in for the pregame show, give Gronk a chance." His "crazy, fun-loving personality could end up making" him "one of the best if he stays true to himself." McManaman: "Just to be safe, though, Fox better have the dump button ready" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/9).
UPSIDE POTENTIAL: WFAN's John Jastremski said Gronkowski "could be the modern-day Terry Bradshaw in the studio." Jastremski: "He's not going to be Tony Romo breaking down the ins and outs of coverage, but if you want a real character ... Gronk (and) TV is a match made in heaven" ("The Thread," SNY, 10/8). CBS Sports Radio's Brandon Tierney: "Just call it 'The Gronk Show,' give him a mic and let him do whatever he wants" ("Tiki + Tierney," CBS Sports Radio, 10/8). In Boston, Bill Speros writes Gronkowski's hire is one for the "eyeballs, ratings, clicks and social media engagement." Gronkowski "serves as a means to an end for Fox." It is a "coup for any national TV network to add someone of Gronkowski's notoriety and potential for live-on-tape-delay calamity." Fans "all know what he'll say before he says it." Speros: "But we'll watch, nonetheless, because it has the potential to be 'Jersey Shore' bad" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/9).
WHICH GRONK SHOWS UP? CBS Sports Radio's Gregg Giannotti said he "would not" put Gronkowski on a Patriots game the first time around as an analyst, but he understands "why they're doing it." Giannotti: "Is he going to be an analyst or is he going to be a clown?" ("Boomer & Gio," CBS Sports Radio, 10/9).
