Belichick: Gronkowski 'not ready yet'

[supafly]

we also have to remember they said the original time table for his return was 4-6 weeks. it's only been 4.5 weeks since the injury. i know it seems like he's been gone for 2 months, but it looks like he might not be back until the first playoff game...whenever that is.

He was injured on Nov.18th, so that's 12 days in November and 26 more in December, equaling 38 days in total.

It's actually almost 6 weeks, and will be in 4 days from now.

Either way, I don't think too many expected him back on the shorter end of the spectrum so he's probably pretty close to what they initially thought.

Those who felt that "he could play against the 49'ers on Dec.16" were just thinking wishfully.

 

[Joker]

we also have to remember they said the original time table for his return was 4-6 weeks. it's only been 4.5 weeks since the injury. i know it seems like he's been gone for 2 months, but it looks like he might not be back until the first playoff game...whenever that is.

he's had a cast on his arm for 39 days...Nov 18th to Dec 26th.....it has NOT only been 4.5 weeks..it's over 5.5 weeks...by game time it will be PAST the 6 week mark. Stop pulling out numbers to fit your fears...there is only reality.

 

[supafly]

that bone IS healed already, unless Gronk is anemic and has no access to modern medical facilities the employ fast trac healing methods.

I believe that the ortho doctor claimed that they do have some procedures to help to regulate the flow of blood to that outside area, due to the fact that it does not normally receive as much blood as the 2 inside bones, so I'm sure you are right and that is being addressed.

I do think that if it were one of the inside bones that it would not have been as severe, but that's just what has been reported, and obviously I don't know enough of the specifics.

 

[Joker]

and BTW...wistfully thinking isn't really a very accurate way to describe what a fan who has decades of experience watching the sport has to say about it. Personally, I've SEEN Patriot players ,AND I cannot count how many other team's players, lining up and performing with broken bones...in their arms, their legs, fingers..and playing well enough to help their team.

Terrell Owens..Super Bowl...remember THAT injury??? A broken ulna is pattycake stuff compared to that. If the SF game meant life or death for the Pats season, I'd have bet the house he'd have played in that game.It didn't.

There is some importance attached to this last contest but that could all be moot by 4:30 Sunday. I personally feel Gronk would benefit from some live reps before the playoffs, but I'm not going to sweat it if he sits.

What I find beyond ridiculous is this constant gloomy Gus negativity attached to Gronk's future playing time.That even ONE Patriot fan thinks Gronkowski may not play in the playoff game is confounding.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

he's had a cast on his arm for 39 days...Nov 18th to Dec 26th.....it has NOT only been 4.5 weeks..it's over 5.5 weeks...by game time it will be PAST the 6 week mark. Stop pulling out numbers to fit your fears...there is only reality.

relax man...I forgot he got injured against the colts, I thought it was against the jets. I just remember it being around thanksgiving time. So you are right, I was a week off. The point of the matter is he has not exceeded the initial 4-6 week timetable that was given.

 

[supafly]

and BTW...wi(Please be quiet - edited)lly thinking isn't really a very accurate way to describe what a fan who has decades of experience watching the sport has to say about it. Personally, I've SEEN Patriot players ,AND I cannot count how many other team's players, lining up and performing with broken bones...in their arms, their legs, fingers..and playing well enough to help their team.

Terrell Owens..Super Bowl...remember THAT injury??? A broken ulna is pattycake stuff compared to that. If the SF game meant life or death for the Pats season, I'd have bet the house he'd have played in that game.It didn't.

There is some importance attached to this last contest but that could all be moot by 4:30 Sunday. I personally feel Gronk would benefit from some live reps before the playoffs, but I'm not going to sweat it if he sits.

What I find beyond ridiculous is this constant gloomy Gus negativity attached to Gronk's future playing time.That even ONE Patriot fan thinks Gronkowski may not play in the playoff game is confounding.

I guess it's a difference of opinions.

Thinking that he was going to come back just a few weeks to play in the SF game was personally considered by me to be "wishful thinking," when experts were claiming that it would take the full 6 week period to properly recover.

Maybe you didn't feel that way, and maybe you felt that he would be back after missing only 3 games. That is your opinion and is respected by me, I just didn't necessarily agree with that. It isn't a big deal.

I do obviously remember the T.O. injury, due to the implications it had on us winning the SB in the 2004 season. I don't think the situations are even remotely similar, because that was in the Super Bowl, but I do see your point.

I don't blame them for being cautious with a star player's injury, especially when the experts claimed that it would likely be a lot closer to the 6 week period than the 4 week period.

I think you are just so used to some being negative that you get worked up about some of the smaller stuff, which is understandable and I agree with it. I just don't personally see those examples in this thread or with this situation.

Considering the fact that he has not been cleared for physical contact, I think it's only human nature that some will start to wonder if he could potentially miss the wildcard game in only 10 days from now. I wouldn't bet on him missing it, but I also think the team would line up and play with who they have just like they have in the past 5 games without him, if that's what it came down to.

 

[Joker]

OVEREACTING???? ME???????

heh...look..I noticed some lethargy on all these threads the past few days...maybe it's all those Christmas calories...libation overload...whatever....it is my irreponsibility as a member to reignite passionate debate...you gotta have some crackpot here do the dirty work...and I work for FREE...after all, you know what they call porridge that's unstirred for a few days?...CEMENT

 

[supafly]

OVEREACTING???? ME???????

heh...look..I noticed some lethargy on all these threads the past few days...maybe it's all those Christmas calories...libation overload...whatever....it is my irreponsibility as a member to reignite passionate debate...you gotta have some crackpot here do the dirty work...and I work for FREE...after all, you know what they call porridge that's unstirred for a few days?...CEMENT

Always respect your thoughts, certainly didn't mean to get you going

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Chances Gronkowski plays vs Dolphins

Curran says Gronk speaking to the media today means he's more likely to play on Sunday, but nothing is guaranteed.

 

[supafly]

Chances Gronkowski plays vs Dolphins

Curran says Gronk speaking to the media today means he's more likely to play on Sunday, but nothing is guaranteed.

As others have stated, it would be nice to see him knock off a little rust with some limited reps this weekend, so that's a good sign.

Either way, he is probably right on track to what they felt it would be, give or take a week or so.

 

[Joker]

which brings me to, why not, my homer take on the first game of the playoffs...that being, WHAT are you going to do, opposing coach...HUH???...what strategy will you deploy to stop the nE passing attack???

OK...Gronk just back so you'll single cover him??? really???...heh...your big safety is good enough eh?...right, sure....nah...you're gonna double him...you know it, we know it

NOW,I guess when the Pats go Lloyd,Branch,Welker,Gronk,Ahern with Woody at RB..YOU will counter with a third safety???? double Gronk, single Welker ,single Lloyd,single Ahern, single Branch and cheat a safety to cover Woody out of the backfield , right????

2,3,4,5,6,7 DB's...3 corners and 4 safeties?? four corners and three safeties?risk a LB on either Welker or Ahern, instead of a safety?..right..and your gonna rush THREE DL??? You're not gonna rush four and NOT play any linebackers are you?..in any event coach, I'm really glad I am ME...and NOT YOU....

 

[supafly]

which brings me to, why not, my homer take on the first game of the playoffs...that being, WHAT are you going to do, opposing coach...HUH???...what strategy will you deploy to stop the nE passing attack???

OK...Gronk just back so you'll single cover him??? really???...heh...your big safety is good enough eh?...right, sure....nah...you're gonna double him...you know it, we know it

NOW,I guess when the Pats go Lloyd,Branch,Welker,Gronk,Ahern with Woody at RB..YOU will counter with a third safety???? double Gronk, single Welker ,single Lloyd,single Ahern, single Branch and cheat a safety to cover Woody out of the backfield , right????

2,3,4,5,6,7 DB's...3 corners and 4 safeties?? four corners and three safeties?risk a LB on either Welker or Ahern, instead of a safety?..right..and your gonna rush THREE DL??? You're not gonna rush four and NOT play any linebackers are you?..in any event coach, I'm really glad I am ME...and NOT YOU....

And this is precisely why Gronkowski is so damn important in so many ways too.

For starters, he's the best run blocking TE in the game, so they can re-establish the run again. That's always important in playoff football to some degree..having that good balance.

He also obviously gives Brady an additional target to throw to, which will certainly help as teams have been doubling both Welker and Hernandez at times. It will go back to the "choose your poison" role for opposing defenses.

I also believe that some of our offensive line and protection problems are centered around Brady having to take an extra second or two to try and go through his progressions, and also having some targets limited. This should change as the opposition will probably need to send less rushers on many plays, and will also give Brady more targets and less double coverage.

It's just a win-win-win all around, and when he comes back we should see this offense going right back to being totally dominant.

 

[Bhelmet]

I do not think he needs any contact until the playoffs (I bet he is working on his timing with Brady), unless Houston loses - then Gronk needs contact.

 

[supafly]

I do not think he needs any contact until the playoffs (I bet he is working on his timing with Brady), unless Houston loses - then Gronk needs contact.

It was pointed out that since he talked to the media, that is usually a sign that he is close to playing. It makes sense, and has been a good judge for the most part in these situations.

In theory we "should" be able to beat MIA without him, but it'd sure help!

I agree that they should rest him if Houston wins though. The problem with that is they'd have to have their inactive list ready before the game ends I think, but they could always dress him without playing him too.

 

[Kontradiction]

Personally, I think Gronk when cleared will be in better football shape than when he was playing. He had an ankle and hip thing going on when he was playing. I bet both of those are far better right now.

I don't know if being out a month will really affect him all that much about the things you are talking about. He might have to shake off a little rust the first game he plays, but it isn't like he hasn't doing things for six to eight weeks or anything.

Assuming he can go, would you rather him do that against Miami or in the first round?

 

[Rob0729]

Assuming he can go, would you rather him do that against Miami or in the first round?

I think he should and probably will play on Sunday. He can be medically cleared to play at anytime before game time. I don't know if I use him a lot, but he should get at least a dozen or so snaps.

 

[BrickPat]

Assuming he can go, would you rather him do that against Miami or in the first round?

A bit of a catch 22. On one hand you'd like the rust off before playoffs but then again you risk aggravating the injury vs. Miami.

 

[Rob0729]

A bit of a catch 22. On one hand you'd like the rust off before playoffs but then again you risk aggravating the injury vs. Miami.

I doubt you will aggravate the injury. Typically, bones are stronger after they heal especially with hardware used to set the bone. It is more about pain management. If he is cleared, there is little worry about aggravating the injury.

BTW, images of Gronk working out in practice yesterday has him without a cast.

 

[goheels22002]

It was pointed out that since he talked to the media, that is usually a sign that he is close to playing. It makes sense, and has been a good judge for the most part in these situations.

In theory we "should" be able to beat MIA without him, but it'd sure help!

I agree that they should rest him if Houston wins though. The problem with that is they'd have to have their inactive list ready before the game ends I think, but they could always dress him without playing him too.

Wonder how Belichick got the Pats game flexed? If Houston wins, watch for a bunch of guys in baseball caps and chinos on the sideline, including Gronkowski. What is the point of playing guys who are banged up if they are the #3 or #4 seed? Whoever comes to Foxboro should get the healthiest possible team in round one.

If Houston loses, play everybody to nail down the bye and get the week off for the entire team.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think he should and probably will play on Sunday. He can be medically cleared to play at anytime before game time. I don't know if I use him a lot, but he should get at least a dozen or so snaps.

I'd play him through the first and maybe halfway through the second quarter before sitting him.