FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- New Atlanta Falcons practice squad member Joe Vellano, who was released by the New England Patriots just days after his Attleboro, Massachusetts home burned down last week, told ESPN.com former teammate Rob Gronkowski offered a helping hand through the whole ordeal.
"We were friends for the last three years, so we are good friends,'' Vellano said of Gronkowski. "He just said to me, 'Anything I can do to help?' and stuff like that. It's kind of a crazy, weird time. I'm just trying to put all things together right now.