Gronkowski brothers make for a tight-knit group

Patriots notebook

September 08, 2011|By Monique Walker, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH - Tom Brady joked that tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Dan Gronkowski were probably putting each other in headlocks in the locker room Tuesday.

It wasn’t hard to imagine.

Rob is lighthearted and rarely seen without a grin. The day he was drafted by the Patriots in 2010, he was shown celebrating in a team huddle with his family. Now his older brother is a member of the Patriots.

“You get excited definitely because he’s a family member and you’re grateful to have your brothers in the league, but when it comes down to it, you get a brother on the same team. That’s awesome,’’ Rob Gronkowski said. “It’s already a dream come true to have him in the NFL at the same time, but to have him on your team is awesome. To have someone there is a lot more support, more intensity we can bring out in each other because we know each other like that, so it’s going to be fun.’’

The Patriots officially signed Dan Gronkowski yesterday after the 6-foot-5-inch, 255-pounder was cut by the Broncos Saturday. The Lions drafted Dan, 26, out of Maryland in the seventh round in 2009. He was traded to Denver last September and played in 14 games, collecting eight receptions for 65 yards.

Former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was the coach of the Broncos last season, giving Dan some experience in a system that may make his transition to the Patriots easier, coach Bill Belichick said.

“Dan has done a good job in Detroit and last year out in Denver in Josh’s offense,’’ Belichick said. “So it’s easy to see him doing some of the things that are similar to what we do. He’s also had some playing time in the kicking game so hopefully he can help us there too.’’

Belichick expects tight end meetings to be more entertaining.

“There will probably be a little more conversation now,’’ Belichick said. “Hopefully we can keep it on football.’’

Dan will wear No. 82 and is a couple of lockers down from his brother and fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez.

Having another Gronkowski on the roster made Brady chuckle.

“[Dan] seems like he’s excited to be here,’’ Brady said. “I think the two brothers were giving each other headlocks in the locker room [Tuesday], and they’re excited. He seems to be a nice guy - mature and he has some familiarity with what we’ve done being with Josh the last few years. The more good players we have, the better our football team’s going to be.’’

Rob said there wasn’t much time to enjoy the situation as the team prepares for the season opener against the Miami Dolphins Monday night.

“This is definitely business,’’ Rob said. “We’re just here focusing on our job and focusing on Miami.’’