Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

My first vote goes to Brandon Lloyd. For the selfish reason that I have him on my fantasy team (along with Hernandez), I pay more attention to Brady to Lloyd than other receiver combos. At least once per game Lloyd is behind the coverage, or wide open and Brady ever-so-slightly OVERTHROWS him. It's maddening!! I don't know whose fault it is, as I am not a technical XX's & OO's kind of fan, but I did notice yesterday that when they went with 2 receiver sets, they were going with Welker and Edelman, so that probably tells me all I need to know. C'mon Brandon! Get on the same page as Brady! We need you! We acquired you to stretch the field.

My second vote is Hernandez. You've got to get back on the field, and be close to your optimal self. I am hoping that you've been held out these last couple of weeks as a precaution more than you're just not ready. We need you against the Jets!

My third vote is a tie between Shiancoe and Fells. One of you needs to step up and be at least 50% of what Gronk is (I realize no one will equal his contributions).

What say you?

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

The running game needs to step it up the most with the TE injuries.

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

I think it has to be Hernandez. I know they are different types of TEs but seems simple to me if one pro bowl TE goes down its on the other to fill his shoes.

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

My huge concern is with the PAT team. My oh my are we in trouble there .... :rolleyes:

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

The offensive line has to step it up, at least in run blocking. People forget that Gronk is arguably the best run-blocking TE in the NFL. With him out, Ridley could have more of a problem busting big runs. This would lead us to go back to a pass-happy offense and be unbalanced.

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

AHern should be able to account for Gronk's receiving production. Maybe Shianco in the RZ?

It's the blocking side of things where others have to step-up.

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

Everyone. That said, Hernandez (whom Bedard says will be back Thursday and was only held out yesterday because of the short turnaround before the JETS) and one or two of the backup TE's and the old bell cow Welker. And situationally the usual suspects like Woody or Edelman and perhaps Branch if he can get the hammy healthy or Salas if he can do anything well enough to play even situationally yet. I think they have come to realize Lloyd is what he is, a #2 or #3 receiver who happens to line up on the outside but doesn't have deep speed or get a ton of seperation (yet alone the early seperation they need given the OL situation) or much YAC. He tends to be a feast or famime receiver here. He lost snaps to Edelman this week. But sometimes less equals more.

And the defense. Consistently.

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

Edelman.

I want to see 200 all purpose yards. :D :rocker:

Seriously, Aaron will have to pick up the receiving slack. Fells/Shiancoe will have to step up the blocking.

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

Fells was a healthy scratch yesterday, so not sure where that deal is headed long term. Hoohoo was the third TE...and he made some nice blocks. You're not going to see the TE centric offense here again until they have the top two healthy simultaneously again.

Re: Ok - Gronk is down, at least for a few weeks. Who has to step it up?
 

Hernandez, Edelman, Lloyd.