BSJ Daily Briefing 02.28.18: Gronk mulled retirement in camp? Sweeney looks brilliant

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I figure out which fortune cookie Gronk's next tweet will come from ... "A chance meeting opens new doors to success and friendship."

• So Tom E. Curran had some interesting reporting on the Rob Gronkowski situation. The headline was that Gronkowski considered retiring during training camp last season. It was "starting to wear on him mentally and physically, the atmosphere in Foxboro...He seriously considered stepping away from the game in training camp."


• Didn't know it had gotten quite that bad. BSJ members from the beginning know I wrote about Gronk's demeanor during camp and wondered what was going on because something didn't seem right (body language, Malcolm Butler, stuff again).


• Basically what happened was Gronk came out on the very first day of camp and completely dominated, and also was having a blast. At one point he caught a touchdown right behind Bill Belichick and did an exaggerated touchdown dance.


• From that point on, Gronkowski was very muted in camp. The happy-go-lucky Gronk was rarely to be found, and he had some issues in practice. He was even rag-dolled a few times blocking.


• Wasn't sure what to make of it. Guessed Belichick likely told him to knock off the dancing in practice, which is his right. Did that happen and did it tick off Gronk, who had worked his butt off to get healthy and back on the field? No clue.


• Were other players ticked off as well? Was this the start of the undercurrent of friction that went on behind the scenes all season (was Alex Guerrero's status part of this)? Is this part of the reason why the Patriots' training camp seemed less fruitful for them than usual?


• I don't know, and I'm not sure I care all that much except when it comes to Gronkowski's future. I mean, the Patriots still had the ball and a chance to win the Super Bowl when all was said and done. Nothing goes perfectly with teams behind the scenes. Coaches make decisions on the fly that sometimes work and sometimes don't. You just hope you don't do permanent damage (not to this point, but ultimately TBD) and you live and learn for next season (Belichick always does).


• As far as Gronkowski's future, I'll stick with what I said yesterday... He might apply some pressure to the team from time to time this offseason, but I think this will go down to the wire at the start of training camp. Yes, you should take this seriously, but this is about money first and foremost.


• And, no, a trade would not shock me. Once you make Belichick start contemplating life without you, at some point he usually warms to the idea of being without you, especially if you have value elsewhere.


• And if that’s the case, everyone will, of course, freak out and wonder if Belichick has lost it. And then the Patriots will be fine and win 12 or 13 games like they do every season. Win, dance, repeat.


• Elsewhere ... how 'bout those Bruins? Wasn't the prettiest game for them but it was certainly thrilling and they got the W.


• One game with all the trade deadline players and Don Sweeney already looks brilliant. Rick Nash saved and scored a goal in the same period. Tommy Wingels had a goal and an assist. Jake DeBrush was a plus-3. Riley Nash and Charlie McAvoy (game-winner) had two points each.

CHARLIE MCAVOY IN OVERTIME AND THE BRUINS WIN IT AGAINST THE HURRICANES! pic.twitter.com/qKR6hZEGKT

— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) February 28, 2018

Rick Nash's first period at @tdgarden.

One save.

One goal. pic.twitter.com/5ZkFVG3FdW

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 28, 2018

@GregABedard My Mom says the BSJ subscription I gave my Dad is the best gift I’ve ever given him. He’s totally obsessed & talks you guys up to all friend & fam. Thanks for making me look good.

— Mandy Johnson Gilman (@MandyGilman) January 23, 2018