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Sorry for being a downer, but I just have to ask if anyone else is as concerned as I am about Rob Gronkowski. Reports about hip and back injuries- and the fact that he seems to get up gingerly so often- have gotten me worried.
Gronk is still playing at a fairly high level, but it's not the statistics that bother me. His ability to run seem routes helped to stretch the field the last two years and usually took a safety into coverage. In addition, the Patriots are shaky in the red zone if the running game isn't clicking, which was never a problem due to Gronk's presence. It is obvious that he is hurting, lacking explosiveness, and not really trusted to make athletic, leaping plays. If you don't believe this, go back and watch tape from last year. Completely different player. He just doesn't seem to be having any fun either, which is his hallmark. Will we see that dominating player again this year? Are you concerned this back injury will linger throughout his career?
It's strange to think that the Patriots' offense thus far have used tight ends as complementary pieces to the offense and not the showcase, yet are still averaging over 30 ppg.
Anyway, if anyone has some awesome inside information about Gronk's injury (and how there's nothing to worry about long-term), I would feel better =).
Gronk is still playing at a fairly high level, but it's not the statistics that bother me. His ability to run seem routes helped to stretch the field the last two years and usually took a safety into coverage. In addition, the Patriots are shaky in the red zone if the running game isn't clicking, which was never a problem due to Gronk's presence. It is obvious that he is hurting, lacking explosiveness, and not really trusted to make athletic, leaping plays. If you don't believe this, go back and watch tape from last year. Completely different player. He just doesn't seem to be having any fun either, which is his hallmark. Will we see that dominating player again this year? Are you concerned this back injury will linger throughout his career?
It's strange to think that the Patriots' offense thus far have used tight ends as complementary pieces to the offense and not the showcase, yet are still averaging over 30 ppg.
Anyway, if anyone has some awesome inside information about Gronk's injury (and how there's nothing to worry about long-term), I would feel better =).
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