Expect a Big Day From Gronk...Here's why

[BelizePats]

The Texans have had a great deal of trouble this year with the health of their inside linebackers. Cushing was IR'd early and they've lost other ILB's to IR as well.
They guys they have playing the position on Sunday are not front line players that should be starting in the NFL, much less during a playoff game. This is one weakness that we can really exploit to our advantage. Gronk should be able to own the middle of the field and I expect about 130 yards and 2 TD's from him.

 

[brdmaverick]

Expect a Big Day From Gronk...Here's why


....because he's Gronk!

 

[PatsDeb]

Expect a Big Day From Gronk...Here's why


....because he's Gronk!

I will be ecstatic if Gronk has a big day, but I for one, am a little worried about hanging our hats on him as the big game changer. He didn't look so good against Miami, be it rust or lingering injuries, or the big-a $ $ cast on his arm. I will be curious to see how well he does and how much he is featured in the game plan. I have been wondering if the Pats will go back to featuring Hernandez, with Gronk more of a decoy, although Hernandez has had a case of the dropsies lately. Can't wait to see how it plays out, and hopefully, it's all good!

 

[brdmaverick]

I'm thinking that Gronk's performance was more of a tune up.

My theory on why we he didn't much action is because we simply didn't need him to.

I think the goal was merely just to give him some game reps. The arm could be in good shape, but after weeks of not playing it takes some adjusting to get back to game form.

The fact that we are another two weeks removed also has to be a good thing.

 

[Kontradiction]

I will be ecstatic if Gronk has a big day, but I for one, am a little worried about hanging our hats on him as the big game changer. He didn't look so good against Miami, be it rust or lingering injuries, or the big-a $ $ cast on his arm. I will be curious to see how well he does and how much he is featured in the game plan. I have been wondering if the Pats will go back to featuring Hernandez, with Gronk more of a decoy, although Hernandez has had a case of the dropsies lately. Can't wait to see how it plays out, and hopefully, it's all good!

He didn't look good against Miami because he wasn't in football shape quite yet. Why anybody argued against that prior to the game was absolutely beyond me. Gronk HAD to see extended reps against Miami to knock that off.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Texans have had a great deal of trouble this year with the health of their inside linebackers. Cushing was IR'd early and they've lost other ILB's to IR as well.
They guys they have playing the position on Sunday are not front line players that should be starting in the NFL, much less during a playoff game. This is one weakness that we can really exploit to our advantage. Gronk should be able to own the middle of the field and I expect about 130 yards and 2 TD's from him.

I would agree that Houston's LBs do not match up well with the Pats TEs. Houston may try to put Jonathan Joseph on Hernandez. They don't really have an option for covering Gronk. If they underestimate Welker he will kill them.

But I hope we keep the running game going too, and wear them down. And I expect Gronk to be a big part of that, as well as in the passing attack. I'd be just as happy watching him flatten some linemen and open some huge holes for Ridley as shredding the Texans in the middle of the field.

 

[PP2]

I actually think it is Welker who is going to have a big game, because when Texas played us last time, their best corner, Joseph, was on Welker because Gronk was out. This time around, I believe Joseph will be on Gronk out of necessity, which frees up Welker.

 

[363839]

I actually think it is Welker who is going to have a big game, because when Texas played us last time, their best corner, Joseph, was on Welker because Gronk was out. This time around, I believe Joseph will be on Gronk out of necessity, which frees up Welker.

Yeah because Welker's not very athletic and all that.:bricks:

 

[neuronet]

If he is 90% or better, he will have a big day. If not, he will not. If he is literally blocking with one arm, he will not. Not against Watt.

 

[mayoclinic]

I actually think it is Welker who is going to have a big game, because when Texas played us last time, their best corner, Joseph, was on Welker because Gronk was out. This time around, I believe Joseph will be on Gronk out of necessity, which frees up Welker.

If Joseph is on Gronk, Gronk will have a big day. Way too small. Joseph will more likely be on Hernandez.

 

[JackBauer]

Bradie James and Ruud both suck. I expect we will be targeting them all afternoon with a variety of different players both in the run and passing games.

 

[dales804]

If Joseph is on Gronk, Gronk will have a big day. Way too small. Joseph will more likely be on Hernandez.

Interesting. I figure they put Joseph on Lloyd. I think Hernandez is going to have an even bigger game because of the return of Gronk. I am thinking around 8-10 catches, 90-110 yards and 2 TDs. I don't think Gronk is going to have big receiving numbers but will make in impact in this game simply with his presence and run blocking.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I know folks on this board passionately disagree with me but Gronk is more important to this offense than Welker.

He may not have a 10 catch, 190yd, 3 TD game on Sunday, but if he doesn't, guys like WW, AH and BL will and the Pats will win handily.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

i see 85 yards and a TD for him

 

[mayoclinic]

Interesting. I figure they put Joseph on Lloyd. I think Hernandez is going to have an even bigger game because of the return of Gronk. I am thinking around 8-10 catches, 90-110 yards and 2 TDs. I don't think Gronk is going to have big receiving numbers but will make in impact in this game simply with his presence and run blocking.

They may put him on Lloyd. Certainly an option. I think Hernandez is a bigger thread. Wade Phillips specifically talked about Hernandez' athletiism not being as big a mismatch if a CB was on him, but I'm sure it will vary.

 

[IllegalContact]

I know folks on this board passionately disagree with me but Gronk is more important to this offense than Welker.

He may not have a 10 catch, 190yd, 3 TD game on Sunday, but if he doesn't, guys like WW, AH and BL will and the Pats will win handily.

gronk doesn't have to be that important......he just brings something to the table that the pats didn't have in the last game.....

they won't be putting a DB on gronk as long as henrnadez is out there, too.....

the texans defense is simply weakest in the worst possible spot right now......short middle is going to kill them........it all kind of caves in from there

if I was the texans, I would strictly play nickle and make the pats running game beat me with what I can defend from there.

this ain't the bengals......every target the pats have goes into the middle short save lloyd

as for slowing watt? simple pump fakes gets him into the air.....mix in some hurry up and he will be begging to get off of the field

I have a funny feeling deion branch is going to figure prominently in this game.....I think he's another one who will get ignored and burn them for it

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

They may put him on Lloyd. Certainly an option. I think Hernandez is a bigger thread. Wade Phillips specifically talked about Hernandez' athletiism not being as big a mismatch if a CB was on him, but I'm sure it will vary.

Thing I love about the offense is that, theoretically, should they man up a CB on AHern, it just turns into a giant mismatch in the running game with all their light guys on the field.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

If we have Gronk, AHern, Brandon, Wes, and Vareen or Woodhead out there together,

somebody will have single coverage with a linebacker or safety all day. If Tom identifies that person and that defender pre-snap, then there will be huge gains to be had all day, gains that do not require exceptional pocket protection because they are short slants, seam routes, and quick outs.

I see massive yards after catch potential.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They may put him on Lloyd. Certainly an option. I think Hernandez is a bigger thread. Wade Phillips specifically talked about Hernandez' athletiism not being as big a mismatch if a CB was on him, but I'm sure it will vary.

IIRC correctly, that was Rexy's strategy. Sometimes Revis was on WW. Sometimes Revis was on Branch. Sometimes he sat in a zone coverage scheme. It worked. However..

JJ is a good CB, but his is not Revis and the Jets defense is better than HOUs.

 

[Wax Frog]

They may put him on Lloyd. Certainly an option. I think Hernandez is a bigger thread. Wade Phillips specifically talked about Hernandez' athletiism not being as big a mismatch if a CB was on him, but I'm sure it will vary.

I'm growing increasingly curious as to how, precisely, Son of Bumble defines athleticism