Gronk split wide to protect him

[Marko]

I've thought for awhile, that although Gronk outside the numbers is a good call occasionally, it limits his effectiveness and in addition does not help Lafell, and others like he would in the middle of the field
While Gronk has outstanding speed and ball skills for a huge man, he is a much better matchup against a linebacker or safety. This lead me to wonder
1. Are they protecting him from big hits over the middle?
2. Are they playing a pre-playoff "rope a dope" by staying away from the middle of the field
(their bread and butter)?
3.Do they really like that lob play down the sidelines which never works?

 

[slash83]

The fact we didn't or I didn't see the go-to down the seam throws to Gronk tells me a lot about how much they were protecting him.

 

[letekro]

Methinks the seam will be back in a big way in the playoffs.

 

[PatsFan2]

I've thought for awhile, that although Gronk outside the numbers is a good call occasionally, it limits his effectiveness and in addition does not help Lafell, and others like he would in the middle of the field
While Gronk has outstanding speed and ball skills for a huge man, he is a much better matchup against a linebacker or safety. This lead me to wonder
1. Are they protecting him from big hits over the middle?
2. Are they playing a pre-playoff "rope a dope" by staying away from the middle of the field
(their bread and butter)?
3.Do they really like that lob play down the sidelines which never works?

Excellent post I thought so too I gurantee you if Edelman is cleared Gronk goes back inside. He took a shot in the Jets game inside the numbers I thought his knees buckled made me sigh.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Excellent post I thought so too I gurantee you if Edelman is cleared Gronk goes back inside. He took a shot in the Jets game inside the numbers I thought his knees buckled made me sigh.

Yea but if its the shot I'm thinking off the NYJ player aimed at his gut/hips and not his thigh/legs.

For that I am grateful....

 

[Angelpats]

There was a tackle before that on the sidelines that was reminiscent of the pollard tackle that gave him a high ankle sprain for the Super Bowl. Ugly jets game. You know we have major injury problems when we are looking for injuries on every play. It's hard to enjoy a game when someone gets hurt.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

If Gronk is split out wide and draws single coverage, you have to go to him.

The problem is, with no Edelman available, they double him even when he's out wide.