Me personally, I hope he gets PUP'd, the one where you can come back after 6 games. I want the team, and Gronk to make sure he is 100% before he takes the field. I know the prognosis was 14 weeks for his back, which would put him at game 2. But personally, I wish they would hold him out longer, until after game 6, just to make sure he's 100% healthy. What about you guys and gals, thoughts ?
I am going to be the ultimate contrarian, based on what was said by the principals, but not interpreted or comprehended correctly by the media.
Seeing the hash the media types made of simple statements from the authorities about Hernandez, I can believe most can't read and comprehend much. I suppose that is to be expected. The colleges have changed from using the Education schools as the dumping ground for failing or marginal students, to now using the Journalism schools as the dumps.
What was said is that Gronk's "minor" discectomy return to the playing fields would be co-terminus with his arm. Doctors say that this surgery takes about 6-7 weeks before you can fully resume athletic and football workouts. Another 5-6 weeks is needed to fully prepare the injured player to play football.
This was corroborated by a former Patriots athlete who had the same discetomy surgery twice, , Willie McGinnest, who even used the same surgeon. Willie said it took a total of 12 weeks, to be fully football ready. But he was practicing after 6 weeks, and needed the other 5-6 to get into football shape.
That is what the Physicians say too. It takes a total of 11-12 weeks, but athletic workouts can resume in 5-7 weeks.
The media misinterpreted this to mean that the player can't begin practicing until then, but what was meant is that the player is fully ready to play after that length of time.
Gronk's physician expects his arm to be completely healed and ready for athletic practice about the beginning or a week or two into TC. His back surgeon, similarly expects to be athletically practicing either at the beginning or a few weeks into TC, from his back surgery
That means to me that Gronk will be like any other player going into Training Camp, and ready to play at 100% by the opening of the season, and misses no time at all.