If Gronk was and is healthy...why wasn't he involved more?

[Uptown]

Trust factor ....... if he has to go start chasing less accurate throws, then he's going to get hit more

That and as long as they were winning, no need to rush him back.....it's a long season

Right. As Curran stated, Brady knows how to utilize Gronk in a more judicial fashion. The GOAT's back; which in result, will awaken the other "GOATE" (granted his hammy is healthy)

 

[luuked]

The scenario that fits for me is that they expected or game planned for JG to play and when they realized that he couldn't they scratched him which threw the whole game plan into a tail spin.

Doesn't sound particularly likely to me.

You always hear coaches say they have to prepare for all eventualities when your opponent has players that are dinged up and it's not clear if they will play. I'd be very surprised/shocked if McD didn't do the same for a situation on his own team and prepared two separate gameplans for JG and JB. If someone still needs to be medically cleared you can't just assume it will work out - setbacks often happen and you don't wanna be caught with your pants down.

From what I have seen McD gave JB less risky passing plays (deep shots towards sideline, trick plays, screens). There was almost nothing intermediate or down the seam as those are the most difficult throws because they go into tight windows and require good timing. In other words the probability of turnovers is higher for plays like that. But this is also where Gronk often makes most of his money (and has highest injury risk).

Don't forget we are in a situation where we just wanna get through one game and then the offense changes back to normal anyway. If Brady and JG were both injured and out for longer then you'd have a different scenario where JB really needs to learn using all weapons he has.

The way it went on Sunday is unfortunate but ultimately I think it was the right call to minimize turnover/injury risks and just see what you can get with a very conservative approach.

 

[brdmaverick]

I think they had more passes in the first half of the infamous Miami game from last year when their only goal was to run out the clock from the opening snap.

With jg scratched this looked like another 'just get through it' game. No need to risk more injury to gronk. In fact, i'm surpised they didn't give him less snaps.

 

[PatsDeb]

I think he's not fully healthy and he probably has no rapport with Jacoby Brissett. Clearly Bennett is the one who practiced with JB. They are just letting Gronk take his time and get his game legs under him. Like Brady, Gronk's season begins this week.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Patriots-Bills Film Review: Examining Rob Gronkowski’s Lack Of Involvement

 

[The Gr8est]

Health alone could be it, obviously.

Also, QBs not named Tom Brady can throw passes that put their receivers in harms way. Particularly young QBs. (but also Peyton Manning. )

IMHO between those two factors we weren't going to see much of Gronk until the GOAT's return.

I guess that is another positive from the first 4 weeks; our QBs did not throw any of our receivers into injuries, and that was a legitimate concern.

 

[primetime]

Brissett was bad and basically couldn't get anything going. The week before, Brissett was mostly gifted short fields and an early lead let Blount grind it out. I wouldn't read anything more into it than that. No one but Bennett made a peep on Sunday on offense.

 

[qbno12]

You don't want a players returning after an injury be forced into the mix especially with a rookie quarterback throwing to him. That's not to say he be kept out but seemed to me that they didn't want to risk another injury by involving him more. With Brady back, I think we will see him play more.

 

[Dagg]

I will say for the extra time to prepare the gameplan was strikingly bad. The first half we seemed afraid to throw and the second half was a little better but overall I dont think we had an answer of being down 2 scores and Gronk really seemed like an after thought out there vs part of the plan.

 

[primetime]

I will say for the extra time to prepare the gameplan was strikingly bad. The first half we seemed afraid to throw and the second half was a little better but overall I dont think we had an answer of being down 2 scores and Gronk really seemed like an after thought out there vs part of the plan.

I think the gameplan was prepared for Garoppolo, and every Patriots drive seemed to start around the 10 early on due to penalties and special teams miscues. That's a long field for a rookie quarterback.

 

[archstanton543]

But he wasn't and he isn't that's why he wasn't involved more.

 

[varjao]

1 - The guy is recovering from an injury clearly not 100% yet, can't have any burst or will pull a hammy and get sidelined.
2 - Is getting a few reps to get in football shape and helping in the blocking.
3 - Rookie QB with accurate and timing issues, recipe for a disaster.

What else needs to be said?

 

[long distance]

Like said already .. and like he said himself .. he's not 100%, possibly not close .. said “can't wait to go like crazy“ but not there yet (that was after Texans IIRC) ..

Don't know how credible this is ..





Of course getting Tom will put thing in different perspective (since he was relatively open a few times on Sunday) because he'll know how to use those opportunities as well as taking care of him. Still probably only in certain situations. Id be surprised to see him going for some tough YAC or running downfield with the ball.

 

[Mack Herron]

Maybe there is something going on, but the release of Harbor makes me think they are not too worried.

 

[AtomicDawg]

Like said already .. and like he said himself .. he's not 100%, possibly not close .. said “can't wait to go like crazy“ but not there yet (that was after Texans IIRC) ..

Of course getting Tom will put thing in different perspective (since he was relatively open a few times on Sunday) because he'll know how to use those opportunities as well as taking care of him. Still probably only in certain situations. Id be surprised to see him going for some tough YAC or running downfield with the ball.

Eh...."sources" have been batting .000 so far this season on anything Patriots. Forgive me if I am hesitant to believe that. Plus, Gronk just posted this on Instagram:


More and more he talks about being ready and eager to make plays. If that wasn't the case BB would probably be telling him to be quiet.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Brissett was bad and basically couldn't get anything going. The week before, Brissett was mostly gifted short fields and an early lead let Blount grind it out. I wouldn't read anything more into it than that. No one but Bennett made a peep on Sunday on offense.

Agreed, even with the tweets coming out now. If he isn't out there catching passes this weekend, then maybe there will be cause for concern. But for now I'm not worried.

 

[Mack Herron]

Garafolo describes "Gronk source" as "someone semi-connected to Gronk". He brushed it off and did not profess inside knowledge as the tweet suggests. Merely commented that Pats are working him back slowly, which they have done with him in the past. Just spit-balling.[/QUOTE]

 

[Brewskies]

He's your best weapon..and if he's out there..you have to get him involved more no? They did nothing like this on Sunday. Would it have won us the game? Probably not...but why not get him more involved?

I am going to get killed for this but............it's what I am thinking

Terrific Question!!!!! It begs the question while he is terrific when healthy he is often not healthy, lately he is more unhealthy than healthy. That opens the question, if we would be better off if he wasn't with us?

I am beginning to think so. He is not there when we need him the most and to pick up the slack. He is injury prone more often than not. I don't want to go back to research games we lost during regular season, playoffs or Superbowl's without him at top shape or not there.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

It seems reasonably clear that he's fairly healthy (or he wouldn't have played so much last week - including pass routes) but he's probably not 100%.

I expect lots of Gronk, especially in the all important red zone, but to not see him hauling ass full steam down the seam.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Maybe there is something going on, but the release of Harbor makes me think they are not too worried.

Exactly. If Gronk were physically compromised Harbor would still be here.

Gronk on Sun vs CLE 6 catches 94 yards 2TDs