Chris Harris: "The only way to take Gronk down is by going for his knees"

[dannydyn]

I hope someone takes out that whole secondary squad's knees. MODERFCKERS!

Chris Harris Jr. admits that defenders aim for Rob Gronkowski's knees - Business Insider

A Denver Broncos defender just admitted to something that New England Patriots fans have feared for a long time: When defenders try to tackle Rob Gronkowski, they intentionally aim for his knees.

During an interview on SportsCenter, Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was asked point blank, "How do you tackle Rob Gronkowski?" His answer was confirmation of the Patriots' worries and is a huge problem for the NFL.

"You gotta hit him low, man — hit him in his knees," Harris said. "That's the best chance you have of hitting him."

 

[XLIX]

I can't blame him for employing legal tackling techniques to maximize his chances of making the tackle, assuming it's a clean play.

If anything, they need to look at changing the rules.

 

[ivanvamp]

This is actually a very big concern of mine. Ward obviously has injured several Patriots players over the years (including Gronk with that hit to the knees a few years ago). Casserly broke down film and told D&C yesterday that one thing you notice about Denver's secondary is that they're a "low tackling" group. That is, they go for the shins and knees. Let's not for get that it was against Denver this season when Gronk's leg got taken out again.

I very much worry that on a seam pass Gronk will make a catch and just as his foot plants, Ward will blast him in the knee and end Gronk's 2015 (and maybe 2016) season.

 

[FourierSeries]

It was obvious the last time we played them that they were not good enough to cover Gronk, even when he was literally the only weapon Brady had. The odds of them covering him now with Edelman and Amendola both out there are obviously even worse.

I'm sure they will go for his knees again, just as they did last year (unsuccessfully) in Foxboro. Gronk has been pretty good at protecting himself for the most part though.

Either way, Harris will be too busy being Edelman's ***** to do it himself (if he even plays.)

 

[BradyFTW!]

If they take out Gronk's knee, someone needs to make sure that Ward gets carted off. Maybe DT for good measure - not because you're trying to hurt him of course, just because... you know, diving at the knees is apparently the only way to stop guys now.

Give as good as you get and maybe they won't be so eager to play that stupid game

 

[chasa]

over under on the number of plays it takes for TJ ward to "earn" the bounty that teh broncos no doubt have on gronk?

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

First play.... Line Gronk up outside where Harris is ... Run in that direction.... Harris is out the club and game. Profit.


In all seriousness , I don't blame Harris or Ward, you can't go high anymore and targeting Gronk midlevel will only make you the sorry party in a highlight reel. There is however a fine line between taking someone's knees out and going low for a tackle. Ward tip toes that line sometimes...none the less its a league issue.

 

[Kontradiction]

They're absolutely right. We've seen time and time again that hitting him high is a waste of time if you're a DB. Gronk is too big to try that on and he'll either run you over or drag you for extra yardage. Hit him in his legs and you guarantee he goes down. That's also going to be the reason why Gronk will, unfortunately, have a shorter career than we all hope for. You can only take those types of hits to the legs for so long.

 

[PatriotReign]

I'm all for taking out Ward, Talib, Miller, and Stewart. They are all cheap shot artists.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

If they take out Gronk's knee, someone needs to make sure that Ward gets carted off. Maybe DT for good measure - not because you're trying to hurt him of course, just because... you know, diving at the knees is apparently the only way to stop guys now.

Give as good as you get and maybe they won't be so eager to play that stupid game

Exactly, although Belichick is a student of the game and I doubt anyone resepects the game more than he does . I don't think he would go all in on a "eye for an eye" mentality should this happen.

I am fully on board tho, if they target gronks knees, I'm all in on taking sanders out with a headshot and cutblocking Miller and Wolfe until they are carted off. Sick of the Donkeys already.

 

[Sicilian]

Malcolm Butler took one of the Chiefs' receivers down with a shoulder to the knee area. It was just a millimeter higher than the knee, but same principle. I can't blame a DB for employing that tactic when hitting much higher puts you at risk for a 15 yard penalty plus a fine if the receiver happens to duck at the last minute. Not to mention if you don't sweep Gronk out low, he's just going to bowl you over.

It sucks, but it's where the league is right now.

 

[dannydyn]

Maybe the team should look into fitting Gronk with custom knee braces. I’ll take a slightly slower Gronk over a broken-for-the-season Gronk any day.

 

[everlong]

If I was Gronk any time I saw somebody going low I'd try to either bring the knee up and crack them in the helmet full force or do the same with the elbow. If they're going straight for the knees like Ward screw it I'd try to give them a concussion and knock them out.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

If I was Gronk any time I saw somebody going low I'd try to either bring the knee up and crack them in the helmet full force or do the same with the elbow. If they're going straight for the knees like Ward screw it I'd try to give them a concussion and knock them out.

That would likely result in a shattered knee cap. No bueno. All Gronk needs to do is keep at his game... Brady needs to be the one who guide Gronk into safety with his passes. That TJ ward hit few years ago..... Wasn't the best placed ball by Brady, he put him right in Wards cross hairs going full Sprint.

 

[Deus Irae]

If they take out Gronk's knee, someone needs to make sure that Ward gets carted off. Maybe DT for good measure - not because you're trying to hurt him of course, just because... you know, diving at the knees is apparently the only way to stop guys now.

Give as good as you get and maybe they won't be so eager to play that stupid game

"They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. They take out one of Gronk's knees, you take out 2 of theirs. *That's* the *Patriots* way!"

 

[TBR]

The simple fact they're talking about this + happen to be the team who dove at his knees last game + happen to have a player who ended his season 2 years ago, is extremely scummy and suspicious.

 

[Gronkowski123]

sad but true.
this is the gameplan for denver. they want to take gronk out. ward, harris, stewart in the last game all went for his knees every time.
gronk/chandler should do the same to von miller...fair is fair. just chop block his ass at the knee.

any seam passes to gronk and we all hold our breath, especially against these scumbags.

 

[borg]

Ernie Adams: Hey intern....go find Amendola and tell him to meet me behind the guacamole ice cream maker in 10 minutes.....and this conversation never happened.
10 minutes later........
Ernie Adams: I like you Betty....Danny. Danny, I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen; all you have to do is get in touch with it.....and this force wants to keep you on the roster next year, keep paying you so you can afford a permanent carport and keep those gum snappers cruising your digs. But the world needs ditch diggers too....so you need to decide what kind of commitment you're going to give on Sunday.................................................... Let me show you a picture. You recognize this dirtbag Bronco (nod yes).......and you see where the red X is positioned on this picture. Now I can't order you to do anything on that field that harms the integrity of the game and the reason I can't order you is because the NFL has bugged this cafeteria in the past....but....nudge nudge...say no more...right Betty....Danny. Do this one favor and when we open the books, we're gonna remember kindly your selfless service to this organization. Now run along and send Lafell in here...and remember...this conversation never happened

Note...no texts, no emails.....no electronic signature.....just two guys hanging out by the guacamole ice cream maker shooting the ****e

 

[QuantumMechanic]

I want Sanders and/or Thomas carted off the field crying on their way to IR if anything happens to Gronk.

 

[Big-T]

Good tackling technique would bring Gronk down with a hit the hips.

Going for the Knees is what you do when you want to cripple someone, not tackle them.