Gronkowski and Armstead, to PUP or the 53?

[Brady6]

My opinion is that we should take Gronkowski off of PUP and keep him on our active 53 man roster; I believe he will be ready play within the first 3-4 weeks of the season, I outlined my ideal plan for Gronkowski’s (see below) return in to the field in week 3 against Tampa.

Week 3 – 25% of offensives snaps
Week 4 – DNP (Road Game)
Week 5 – DNP (Road Game)
Week 6 – 25% of offensive snaps
Week 7 – 50% of offensive snaps (first travel time traveling with team)
Week 8 – 50% of offensive snaps
Week 9 – 75% of offensive snaps
Week 10 – Bye
Week 11 on – Full participation

I’m bringing him back in week 3 to allow him to see how he responds to live game action; Gronk can use weeks 4 and 5 to continue his rehab, along with focusing on any specific issue. I’m sitting him for weeks 4 and 5 to avoid having him fly with a back injury, in week 7 it is a short flight to the Meadow lands and I believe this will allow them to test the situation. The goal of my plan is to have him 100% healthy and in live game shape following the bye week.

Armstead is someone I have not formed an opinion on, primarily because I’m not even sure what the infection is or where it was; that said I would be inclined to keep him on the 53 man roster if I thought he could recover within the first 30 days of the season. I’ve also read in the last few days that he was present on the football field; we have limited depth at DT and opinions suggest Armstead could be an impact player in the NFL so I say roll the dice if his recovery looks promising.

My plan unnecessary plan aside what are others thoughts on how to proceed with these 2?

 

[TriplecHamp]

Thanks for the plan. I've forewarded this thread to both BB and team doctors.

 

[Brady6]

Re: Re: Gronkowski and Armstead, to PUP or the 53?

Thanks for the plan. I've forewarded this thread to both BB and team doctors.

:lol: well played!

 

[Fencer]

The beat reporters seem split in their guesses as to whether Armstead will start the season on a list. (I think it's NFI right now.)

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

i think gronk will be taken off

 

[BradyFTW!]

If I had to guess, I would guess that Gronk will come off the PUP before the regular season, while Armstead will stay on it.

As far as when he'll play - once he's not at risk for aggravation/reinjury, I expect that he'll play basically a full workload of snaps.

 

[Froob]

Call me pessimistic but I see Armstead on IR. Hopefully not and we see him soon. I'm thinking Gronk will suit up for his home coming week 1 although he won't be needed for the pats to run for over 9000 yds vs the bills.

 

[brdmaverick]

I like that it appears you put some considerable thought into Gronk's return. If BB were to see your plan however, I'm not sure he would weigh having Gronk for 25% of snaps in two games as being better than having 'another healthy body' for those six games.

I'm hoping he comes back sooner, but what do I know?

 

[Christian]

Armstead was spotted yesterday. We have no clue what his situation is. He may be close and they're just holding him out a little longer.

As for Gronk, still no clue on that either. Should know at least a little something in next few weeks. If team thinks they can manage first 6 weeks without him and get him 100 percent, then they should do it. Absolutely no need to rush. Sudfield, Fells and Hooman can get it done for the first 6 weeks.

 

[mgteich]

I really have no strong positions on whether either of these players will be available.

ARMSTEAD
My gut says that he will spend the year on IR, after spending time of the NFI or PUP list.
I don't see him being productive, with no experience and no practice with the team.

GRONKOWKSI
It would NOT be could news if Gronkowski is putting an the PUP list and can't practice for two months. I'd be fine with him not playing for 2 months. but that is not at all the same. I would use an inactive roster spot on Gronkowski. I agree that Fells, Sudfeld and Hooman are plenty until Gronk is ready to play. Ballard wuill ahve a difficult time making the team.

 

[Bruins29]

Armstead was spotted yesterday. We have no clue what his situation is. He may be close and they're just holding him out a little longer.

As for Gronk, still no clue on that either. Should know at least a little something in next few weeks. If team thinks they can manage first 6 weeks without him and get him 100 percent, then they should do it. Absolutely no need to rush. Sudfield, Fells and Hooman can get it done for the first 6 weeks.

It does not matter what they can manage. If he is cleared medically, he is on the 53 and playing. If he is not cleared then they can decide whether to PUP him or not.

 

[Fencer]

https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/367157128232173568

Kyed has Armstead staying on the list.

 

[Fencer]

It does not matter what they can manage. If he is cleared medically, he is on the 53 and playing. If he is not cleared then they can decide whether to PUP him or not.

"Healthy enough to contribute" means different things for, say, Brady or Gronk, than it does for a guy who nearer the bottom of the roster even in a best-case scenario.

 

[Brady6]

Re: Re: Gronkowski and Armstead, to PUP or the 53?

ARMSTEAD
My gut says that he will spend the year on IR, after spending time of the NFI or PUP list.
I don't see him being productive, with no experience and no practice with the team.

MG do you have any idea what the infection was and where?

It would be disappointing if he didn't give us anything in 2013. I agree it will be difficult for him with no experience, my hope is him being signed in January allowed him some time in the offseason to work with the staff and learn.

 

[mgteich]

I don't know the medical details.

The open question is increasingly whether the medical details are even relevant. I think most of us expected Armstead to make the roster a contribute. Some hoped that he would be a major contributor. It is getting late in the offseason. It suppose it is still possible for Armstead to contribute this year, but it is becoming more and more unlikely each day. What is certainly helping Armstead is that we have a backup DT roster spot sort of waiting for him.
As of now, a UDFA may win the position.

MG do you have any idea what the infection was and where?

It would be disappointing if he didn't give us anything in 2013. I agree it will be difficult for him with no experience, my hope is him being signed in January allowed him some time in the offseason to work with the staff and learn.

 

[Fencer]

Reporting has suggested the infection was a complication of surgery. I don't know what was being operated on.

mgteich is correct to raise the concern that even a healthy Armstead, without an offseason to work with his new team in a new league, will have trouble contributing this year.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Thanks for the plan. I've forewarded this thread to both BB and team doctors.

Yep.

This is one of those "scratch my head" threads.

How the heck can any of us possibly know what the coaches, doctors and, most importantly, the players know about their condition.

Time for the season to begin.

 

[Sicilian]

I may have misread your plan, but if Gronk needs to take two weeks off after playing only 25% of the snaps in his first game back, then he shouldn't be playing in week 3 at all.

 

[Rob0729]

If I was a gambling man, I would bet Gronk will be on the 53 man roster while Armstead will be on the NFI list.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I'm expecting them both to be PUPed. Of course I have no idea but I'm fine with Gronk getting really healthy for the second half. Thankfully the young WR, Fells and Sudfeld have looked good and we'll have a strong running game.