Rob Gronkowski, you savage man-bro beast. You need to play in the Super Bowl. Seriously. Do it for the strippers. Do it for all the bros out there. Do it for me. Spike that ball, you beautiful bastard.
Everybody in New England saw that ankle twist completely around. My reaction was he’s done, out for the season, that’s it 100%. Then he was back on the field a few minutes later, playing as though nothing was wrong. To be honest, I’m worried that it was a combination of toughness and adrenaline that got Gronk back out there, and I’m even more worried that he did additional damage in returning to the game.
Yesterday Gronk was listed as “Did not practice” for a practice that didn’t even occur (hypothetical practices? what has the NFL come to?). He’s walking with a boot. You better believe that the ankle is sore as hell. While I believe that Gronk did serious damage to his ankle – this ain’t no sprain, just watch the tape – I also have no doubt that he’ll play in the Super Bowl. They’ll dope that ankle up good and proper, and hopefully he won’t lose a step.
Everybody knows that if Gronk’s out, it’s a huge loss for the Patriots. He was Tom Brady’s best target this year, and that’s enough of an argument if we leave it at that. But the more I look at this match-up, the more I realize that Gronkowski could very well be the difference maker. With the pressure the Giants will be putting on Brady, he’ll be looking to get the ball out of his hands almost instantaneously. Sure, Brady has the chemistry to complete these passes to Wes Welker and Deion Branch, although they tend to leave little room for error. But in a blitz situation, Gronk has the size to be easily found, and the speed and strength to create the separation needed.
With blitzes coming (and we know they will) Gronk may only have to shred a tackler or two to break a big play into the endzone. I just can’t see that Patriots winning without the Tom-Gronk connect being a vital part of their success.
I am more then fine if he sits out
I think you will see alot less blitzes then you think. The Giants are at their best when they use just their front 4 and can drop 7 into coverage. They have been able to get pressure with that front 4 in the last few weeks.
Right, no need to blitz if they can get pressure with the front 4. I think the Patriots may have success running against them though. And if the Giants have to worry about the run, then the passing will get easier.
Who cares about Gronkowski? The big question is whether Ochocinco will be in the lineup (hah). Gronk will be in the lineup one way or another. He’ll be taped like you wouldn’t believe and drugged so he can’t feel anything.
Drugged Gronk makes me woozy.
but ocho cinco makes the patriots receivers the best in the league!
¡yo soy fiesta!
I agree with above. The Giants surprising don’t bring pressure all that often. Most of their rushes are 3,4, and sometimes 5. They get enough pressure with 4 that they don’t need to and the ability to not have to blitz helps their banged up and mediocre secondary a lot.
Gronk coming back into that game doesn’t mean much to me. As you said with adrenaline and everything he was able to get out there, but once it begins healings, swells up, etc. it will be nearly impossible to be as effective as he normally is.
Reports today are a high ankle sprain. We all saw Big Ben play through it, but he couldn’t move much at all so he may be more of a decoy if he does play (which I believe he will)
LeBron did that same thing earlier this year, he said you can sprain your ankle and still play, but as soon as you take your shoe off you are done because it swells up.
If the Giants only bring 4 they arent going to be bringing a lot of pressure – especially since learning Seabass will play in the game. I would be surprised if they didn’t blitz often against the pats. With that said if Gronk doesn’t play I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nate Solder (former TE at CU) to catch a td when in the red zone?
Since the Osi and Tuck got healthy the Giants have only been bringing 4 and occasionally 5. You can not double Osi, Tuck, and JPP, and they all demand a double team. They have been doing it for 5 weeks with out much of a blitz, I dont see them changing that now.