Chris Gronkowski settles into fullback role

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Associated Press

Posted on August 24, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Updated Friday, Aug 24 at 12:30 PM

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — A tad bit taller and Chris Gronkowski might have been a tight end like his brothers.

Instead, he's the rare fullback lining up in a Peyton Manning backfield.

Typically, Manning doesn't operate out of a two-back system. But the Denver Broncos are adding all sorts of wrinkles to the offensive scheme this season, even pairing tailback Willis McGahee with Gronkowski on occasion.

It could be a gainful duo, especially in short-yardage situations.

And then there's always this: Gronkowski can catch the ball, too. He does come from a family of pass catchers led by his younger brother, Rob, who set an NFL single-season record for tight ends last year with 17 TD receptions for New England. His older brother, Dan, also is a tight end, for Cleveland.

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Follow Pat Graham on Twitter: http://twitter.com/pgraham34

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Online: http://bigstory.ap.org/NFL-Pro32 and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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