Lions Release Dan Gronkowski, Sign a Long Snapper

by Sean Yuille on Dec 17, 2009 1:17 PM EST in Detroit Lions Roster Comment 21 comments

Apparently Dominic Raiola will not be handling the Lions' long snapper duties in place of the injured Don Muhlbach, because the team signed LS Nathan Hodel today. The Lions surprisingly released Dan Gronkowski to make room on the roster for Hodel. Gronkowski finally got a chance to play at tight end during a regular season game last Sunday in Baltimore, and I figured he would continue to get more playing time in the final weeks of the season with Casey FitzSimmons now on IR. Apparently that isn't the case, though, because Gronkowski is now off the team.

Perhaps Gronkowski will later return to the team by being signed to the practice squad. That is what happened with Jahi Word-Daniels, who was released earlier this week only to be signed to the practice squad today. Hopefully that's what will happen with Gronkowski as well, because I think he has potential.

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If it makes you feel any better,

his brother Rob should be available in next year’s draft.

"The existence of flamethrowers is proof that someone, somewhere, said to himself, 'I want to set those people over there on fire, but I don't feel like walking over there to do it.'"

by DbacksSkins on Dec 17, 2009 2:22 PM EST reply actions

WTF

I do not understand why the Lions would release Big Dan…..do they seriously think that Will Heller is that good? Do they really have that much confidence in Fitzsimmons? I am perplexed! He did miss a couple of balls that were thrown to him in the game last weekend, but they were not exactly perfectly thrown balls either. I am sure there are other guys on the PS that they could have released, which would have been smarter than releasing Gronkowski.

by KDawg on Dec 17, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions

I think they had to make on the roster

so they can bring in the new long snapper right now. If Dan clears, we can resign him to the pratice squad. Just a thought.

by lionsfan64 on Dec 17, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Once activated to the 53-man roster the only way to get back down to the Practice Squad is to cut the player, have them pass waivers, and then resign them to the PS. There just needs to be a spot for him otherwise someone from the PS has to go to make room.

Nathan Hodel had been the Cardinals’ long snapper for nearly the last decade until he was cut this off-season. He didn’t pass the team physical. He was with the Patriots for part of the off season and has been more or less rudderless attempting to sign on with a team since then (nearly went to the Bengals). He’s a band-aid LS until the end of the season as he’s still not “right” physically; he’ll get the ball to the punter/holder but won’t do much on coverage (where he used to excel).

Don't waste time or Time will waste you.

by Hawkwind on Dec 18, 2009 6:09 AM EST up reply actions

Hate it

Hate cutting players to make room for another long snapper, I know the job is important as he(hockey sticks), but ugh what a way to go. Your in like 10 plays a game and get injured. Ugh ugh ugh

by Beerhero on Dec 18, 2009 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

Hope Gronk gets back on the practice squad

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.

by Hyperion Ecta on Dec 17, 2009 7:04 PM EST reply actions

+100

I also hoped he would get more playing time and gain some experience. Hope he clears.

I has a blog

"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx

by Jettero2112 on Dec 18, 2009 7:19 AM EST up reply actions

Gronkowski's potential unlimited

Dan Gronkowski is a 6’6" 260 pound leviathon with the hands of a God and the face of an angel.

As the George Boutselis Memorial Award winner (for earning the highest GPA of all his teammates as a Maryland Terrapin in 2007), Gronko also possesses an unprecedented intelligence — an uncommon yet valuable attribute which is rare in an athlete among a league full of complete idiots.

Open your eyes!

When given the opportunity to succeed, Dan Gronkowski will accomplish greatness.

by JimBoSlice on Dec 18, 2009 2:29 PM EST reply actions