[UPDATE: Olsen signs with SEA] Report: Pats trying to get Gronk to comeback; Greg Olsen is plan B

[fnordcircle]

Odd question, but how do you guys think we do in 2019 if we had Gronk at TE?

If he was at least as good as he was in 2018 then I think we're playing in an hour. He absolutely would have been enough of a difference for us to be able to win at least 1 more game and get a bye. We missed his blocking, we missed his receiving.

I really think he's done though. I joked around a lot about it but I honestly thought he was coming back by week 10 this year for an abbreviated season. I can't imagine him coming back now. If he didn't feel a yearning to come play again when all of his former teammates so clearly needed him then I think he's done for good.

 

[fnordcircle]

Still think the lack of a true # 1 receiver would've hurt us. Even with Gronk. Tight End wasn't the biggest issue this year.

I think you're underestimating the ripple effect of adding Gronk into our 2019 line-up. It opens up things for Edelman which makes things that much easier for the 3 new WRs to acclimate.

 

[Patstastic]

I think you're underestimating the ripple effect of adding Gronk into our 2019 line-up. It opens up things for Edelman which makes things that much easier for the 3 new WRs to acclimate.

I dunno. I mean the offense was truly horrific. Would one player make that much of a difference? There was still no FB or Andrews. And Mason & Cannon regressed.

 

[Uncle Rico]

I think it was a tongue in cheek comment.

Yeah not really a “report.”

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I think you're underestimating the ripple effect of adding Gronk into our 2019 line-up. It opens up things for Edelman which makes things that much easier for the 3 new WRs to acclimate.

Gronk is never going to be the same player he once was

 

[ctpatsfan77]

On a GRONK return: believe it I will, when happen it does.

 

[slash83]

Gronk, Dola, heck yeah get the band back together.

 

[PP2]

My biggest concern (however I am open to a Gronk return) is very recently I thought I read Gronk admitted he knew he lost a step during his last season. Do you think Gronk can be good enough in 2021? Again, not against a Gronk return. Just curious.

Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

Anyone who knows football, knows Gronk in his last season was a shadow of his former great self. Even if you strictly just look at the numbers- it's pretty apparent.

The injuries were just too much.

 

[Deus Irae]

Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

Anyone who knows football, knows Gronk in his last season was a shadow of his former great self. Even if you strictly just look at the numbers- it's pretty apparent.

The injuries were just too much.

The question is about the type of injuries. Was this more about cumulative injury diminishing the player, or about current injury impacting his current level of play? That's something that people outside of Gillette can only guess about.

 

[Patstastic]

I think you're underestimating the ripple effect of adding Gronk into our 2019 line-up. It opens up things for Edelman which makes things that much easier for the 3 new WRs to acclimate.

I dunno. I mean the offense was truly horrific. Would one player make that much of a difference? There was still no FB or Andrews. And Mason & Cannon regressed.

 

[Brick27]

I think you're underestimating the ripple effect of adding Gronk into our 2019 line-up. It opens up things for Edelman which makes things that much easier for the 3 new WRs to acclimate.

There’s also the ripple effect on the salary cap as well. Does Gronk mean getting past the Chiefs?

 

[Deus Irae]

I dunno. I mean the offense was truly horrific. Would one player make that much of a difference? There was still no FB or Andrews. And Mason & Cannon regressed.

The Patriots offense of 2010 and on requires 2 things (Besides the QB) to function at a high enough level as to be a threat on its own, rather than having to rely on the defense.

1. It requires a slot guy who can get open in 2-2.5 seconds.
2. it requires a guy who can exploit the downfield seams in the middle

So, If they'd had that second piece, the offense would have been much better.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

I don’t think Gronk wants to play for Belichick anymore.

BB was just @ GronkBeach...

 

[archstanton543]

We'd be better off with Merlin Olsen at this point.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Gronkowski lost more than a step by last season,

not sure it makes sense to bring him back.

 

[Kontradiction]

Olsen will be a solid addition in the 6 games a year he’ll be active for us.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Olsen will be a solid addition in the 6 games a year he’ll be active for us.

6 games? Seems like a lot. Are you suggesting he roids up next Season to last 6 Games?

 

[Ross12]

Gronkowski lost more than a step by last season,

not sure it makes sense to bring him back.

Idk, he’s not as fast but he’s surely still an elite blocker (which really helps the O-Line) and he can body up guys on shorter passes. Unfortunately you are kinda paying a premium for that skill set at this point.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Idk, he’s not as fast but he’s surely still an elite blocker (which really helps the O-Line) and he can body up guys on shorter passes. Unfortunately you are kinda paying a premium for that skill set at this point.

didn’t we pay dwayne Allen a good bit to do just that?

 

[Ross12]

didn’t we pay dwayne Allen a good bit to do just that?

Yes but I believe they also hoped he would do more in the passing game for that money.

At this point they’re so thin at TE that I wouldn’t really have any issues paying that price just to get him in for what he can contribute and having the deep established chemistry with Tom.