Rob Gronkowski injury

If Gronk is out, who's going to be drawing the PI calls?

supafly said:

I was actually thinking about this earlier this morning. It sounds good in theory, but is perhaps a bit unrealistic with braces on both knees. Where do you draw the line? Do we put double knee braces on all the guys like Edelman, etc as well? Just doesn't seem feasible to me.

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Really, it shouldn't slow them down that much.

supafly said:

Don't discount the back to back road games to end the season, which also happen to occur against divisional opponents to boot.

Prior to winning the back to back road games @DAL and @IND earlier this season, the Pats were only 3/8 past victories in that spot (winning both).

The next 5 games are all going to be important, and I'm not as certain as you that 14-2 "at best" will give us HFA. We've already lost the tie breaker to Denver, which would give them HFA if they'd win out and we'd lose a game. I think 14-2 "should" get it, but it's no sure thing. I don't know the scenarios if CIN wins out and we lose one, as to who gets the tie breaker.

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I see the donkeys losing two more games. I don't think forehead's getting his job back

Ross12 said:

Fortunately Denver and Cincinnati cannot both win out as they play each other.

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Yes, I realize that but it would allow one or possibly both to hold the tie breaker over us should we lose a game and they win out.

In other words, 14-2 probably gets HFA for us, but it's not necessarily 14-2 "at best" which was suggested in the post. It's no sure thing that we'd get it at 14-2.

scott99 said:

Really, it shouldn't slow them down that much.

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I'm not saying that the thought didn't cross my mind as well, just that Belichick would probably have done it if it were beneficial.

Probably a bit impractical, with the loss of speed and ability to juke, etc.

supafly said:

Yeah, it would be nice to see some of those lower shots penalized to try and deter some of the future injuries. Sadly, I doubt that will happen, though.

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Sounds good at first, but then as a DBs coach, how the hell do ya teach your players to make the hit? Just aim for the stomach? Pretty soon we'd end up with a rash of cracked rib injuries and then rules of how to stop them.

The rules are tilted offensively enough as it is. Eventually we'll end up with safeties having to stop, wait for the catch, and then wrestle the guy to the ground. Lol great for Gronk, cause he'd be unstoppable, but would make for a **** game.

No perfect solution, but my attempt:
1. Revert some of the rules. A head-shot is not necessarily a flag. Only blatant "spearing" and head-hunting.
2. Incorporate some sort of weekly review of questionable hits. Plays that maybe weren't flagged during games could still be followed up with substantial fines/suspensions if determined so. Gradually getting worse for repeat offenders.

Basically allow more hitting up high (and hopefully minimizing leg shots), but monitor things so safeties aren't killin' guys. Means more faith in the league office (which I know you guys love), but only solution I see.

Brady sounds a bit more reserved about Gronk's injury, saying that "hopefully we can get him back at some point," and that they "have a lot of stuff to check" in terms of testing today.

I'll feel a lot better when we hear the results of the MRI.

As long as Amendola, Edelman, and Gronk are here for the playoffs, that's all that matters at this point.

JetFan79 said:

1. Revert some of the rules. A head-shot is not necessarily a flag. Only blatant "spearing" and head-hunting.

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No way this would fly in today's world. Anything head related is automatically illegal because of the CTE boogeyman. And to be honest that is fine. While ACLs are devastating they rarely have any lasting effect after rehab, especially for everyday life. Brain damage is a different kind of animal..

Brady_to_Moss said:

Boarding bus...

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Is that Gronk's snack in that large grocery bag?

My feeling is that he took a shot to the knee-cap, which hurts like a beotch. May have dodged a bullet. If so, it is going to be up to Brady to be even more accurate to protect the big guy, cause he's not gonna back down on any play.

Still praying !

The fact that we're even seeing him post-injury is good news.

JetFan79 said:

Sounds good at first, but then as a DBs coach, how the hell do ya teach your players to make the hit? Just aim for the stomach? Pretty soon we'd end up with a rash of cracked rib injuries and then rules of how to stop them.

The rules are tilted offensively enough as it is. Eventually we'll end up with safeties having to stop, wait for the catch, and then wrestle the guy to the ground. Lol great for Gronk, cause he'd be unstoppable, but would make for a **** game.

No perfect solution, but my attempt:
1. Revert some of the rules. A head-shot is not necessarily a flag. Only blatant "spearing" and head-hunting.
2. Incorporate some sort of weekly review of questionable hits. Plays that maybe weren't flagged during games could still be followed up with substantial fines/suspensions if determined so. Gradually getting worse for repeat offenders.

Basically allow more hitting up high (and hopefully minimizing leg shots), but monitor things so safeties aren't killin' guys. Means more faith in the league office (which I know you guys love), but only solution I see.

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This post makes too much sense, which is also unfortunately why it will not happen. The NFL would rather spend it's time and resources on unfounded witch hunts that target the league's best player and organization, while letting real issues go unattended. Isn't life in the NFL grand?

KoolAid said:

Is that Gronk's snack in that large grocery bag?

My feeling is that he took a shot to the knee-cap, which hurts like a beotch. May have dodged a bullet. If so, it is going to be up to Brady to be even more accurate to protect the big guy, cause he's not gonna back down on any play.

Still praying !

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The throw was a little high, but Brady usually always does a great job of protecting his receivers. It's one of the more underrated aspects of his game, in my view. That was just a bang bang play and those just happen. There really wasn't much more any player involved, offensively or defensively, could have done differently. We'll be lucky if it's just a sprain that keeps him out a few weeks.

scott99 said:

Really, it shouldn't slow them down that much.

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He should wear them on both knees now and one on his other arm too. The ones he has on now haven't slowed him down one bit. He should put spikes on them too so people get a good reminder if they after his knees again.

PatsBoy12 said:

The throw was a little high, but Brady usually always does a great job of protecting his receivers. It's one of the more underrated aspects of his game, in my view. That was just a bang bang play and those just happen. There really wasn't much more any player involved, offensively or defensively, could have done differently. We'll be lucky if it's just a sprain that keeps him out a few weeks.

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I know what you're saying and I agree, but isn't it ironic then that all of his receivers are hurt?!?

voluntarysaftey said:

As long as Amendola, Edelman, and Gronk are here for the playoffs, that's all that matters at this point.

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still need at least the bye 2 seed

Patjew said:

I know what you're saying and I agree, but isn't it ironic then that all of his receivers are hurt?!?

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His receivers’ injuries are not his fault, they all occurred AFTER the catch. Edeleman’s foot was rolled over while he was trying to pick up yardage. Amedola’s was a non-contact injury during a punt (nothing to do with Brady), Dobson was like Edeleman’s – ankle rolled over after the catch, and Gronk’s, I don’t care what they say – that mother****er was going for his knee.

It looks hyper extended to me. We're very fortunate that his foot wasn't planted in the ground.

Cincy

dannydyn said:

His receivers’ injuries are not his fault, they all occurred AFTER the catch. Edeleman’s foot was rolled over while he was trying to pick up yardage. Amedola’s was a non-contact injury during a punt (nothing to do with Brady), Dobson was like Edeleman’s – ankle rolled over after the catch, and Gronk’s, I don’t care what they say – that mother****er was going for his knee.

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Couldn't agree more. Donkeys are a dirty team.

voluntarysaftey said:

As long as Amendola, Edelman, and Gronk are here for the playoffs, that's all that matters at this point.

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That isn't true. I think this team needs a bye to get healthy (and Edelman may not be back for Wild Card weekend but be ready for the divisional round). Getting at least the #2 seed is still important.