MoneyFX

Some very good points about this article. Hopefully, he can get healthy in time for another super bowl run. For a Sunday, I'll be a Colts fan. That bye would be important to get the players healthy.

Enjoy and discuss your thoughts.

Breaking Down Patriots' Problems and Progression Without Rob Gronkowski | Bleacher Report

mayoclinic

Nice read with some good points. Thanks for posting. I would disagree about the assessment of the OL starters now being "healthy" - Mankins, Vollmer and Connolly are all hobbled.

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supafly

Yeah, thanks for posting. Nice read.

This is also an example of the times where Bleacher Report isn't as bad as a lot of people make it out to be.

Is it my "go-to" site for hardcore football analysis? No, but there are articles here and there that are just as well-written as many others that we see in other places regarding Patriot related issues.

I think you have to take it for what it's worth. Once you can do that, BR can sometimes be a nice change of pace read, at least every now and then.

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TheBostonStraggler

Thanks for the posting -- good read.
A couple of things that jump out:
1) The Patriots 3rd down conversion rate of 51.1% with Gronk in the line up compares to 30.7% in the last 3 (which is almost at the bottom of the league, ouch). And how good is 51.1%? Second place is almost a full 5% below the Patriots (Atlanta). 8% better than the second best in the AFC (Denver). Bottom line: with Gronk back and the OL performing better, stopping the Patriots offense to any significant degree should be unlikely. The opposition will have to be their own scoring juggernaut to win.

2) If there is a silver lining to Gronk's absence, I agree that getting BL more active is it. Having TFB and him in greater sync heading into the playoffs is a very nice feather in TFB/JM/BB's cap.

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MoneyFX

1) The 3rd downs will be key in the playoffs, especially against teams with superior passing offenses. Need to sustain long drives and keep Peyton Manning off the field if the Pats face them. A good offense is a good defense if you know what I mean. With Gronk, the run, play-action, pass blocking are all better.

2) Lloyd is taking advantage of the injuries, it would be nice if he can eclipse the 1k receiving mark But his emergence really makes this offense a tougher one to cover than years past. He will be a key player to watch in the playoffs b/c there will be teams that are going to try to take Welker out of the game production-wise.

Deus Irae

Way too much use of correlation as if it were causation... The INTs of the last 2 games weren't demonstrably because Gronk wasn't available, for example. It's also not as if the Gronkless Patriots have been steady state outside of his presence. Multiple WR changes, Hernandez being obviously less than 100%, multiple O-line injuries, etc... have all contributed to the problems.

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VJCPatriot

Well it's not JUST Gronk. But Gronk does have a significant impact on our offense because he's not just a great receiver and RZ target, but he's also an awesome blocker. It will be good to have him back and healthy.

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BananaRepublican

For whatever it's worth: Vollmer claimed that his back is fine, is not an issue. Is it the ankle? Cripes I lost track, but clearly they are going to have to play hurt for the duration.

But you know that extra week after the AFCCG could work wonders too. :-D