All’s clear for Gronk takeoff
With Bennett as co-pilot, TE has healthy shot to soar ahead
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Make way for the best of Gronk.
Now that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has reinforcements, it should ease the heavy burden he has carried on a weekly basis this season. Perhaps more than ever, opponents have devoted more assets in his direction, been more physical and essentially just prioritized defending him over Tom Brady’s other weapons.
Two factors have led to the taxing start. First, wide receiver Julian Edelman isn’t around to divert attention from Gronk, who gets put through the wringer in the middle of the field. It’s a grind just to get ready for that challenge.
“Every year, it feels like I’m in for a challenge, whether it’s off the line or in the route, two guys, whatever it is,” Gronkowski told the Herald outside the Patriots locker room at Falcon Stadium yesterday. “I’ve literally got to be ready to go every single week or else I can’t perform to my max. I’ve got to bring it every single week.”
And secondly, without any statistical production from the backup tight ends, it’s been Gronk or bust, and that has put more pressure on him to perform. Reenter Martellus Bennett, who caught three passes for 38 yards in just seven snaps against the Broncos on Sunday just two days after rejoining the team, and the Patriots can finally give Gronk a breather from time to time.
Physically, Gronkowski feels on top of the world, and an early-season thigh contusion has been the only setback. But consider the toll Gronk must endure just to get open, whether it’s a chip from a pass rusher, a linebacker who gets physical within the allowed five yards of the line of scrimmage or a safety who tugs and prods at every vulnerable square inch of his 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame while trying to prevent his connection with Brady.
Gronk loves it, though. Few can match his physicality, hence the need for constant double coverage from opponents. So when it comes down to who can outmuscle whom, Gronk likes his chances.
“When you’re feeling good, it’s awesome,” Gronkowski said.
The response included an important qualifier — when he’s feeling good. And that’s why the return of Bennett could pay instrumental dividends. The pair essentially had a fourgame stretch last season when Gronkowski was fully healthy, and they combined for 37 catches, 628 yards and six touchdowns.
The Patriots can again deploy their two-tight end packages, which had been all but scrapped this season, and that will be conducive to more favorable matchups for Gronk. It will also give the Patriots a chance to pull Gronkowski off the field a bit more, as he has played at least 87 percent of the snaps in seven of eight games this season.
Sure, Bennett is dealing with a torn rotator cuff and a labrum issue, but he dealt with similar shoulder issues last season on top of his mangled ankles and sore knee. He’ll gut through it, and Brady trusts him when he is the lone tight end on the field.
“Definitely when he got back here, it felt like he never left,” Gronkowski said of Bennett. “It was a good thing being together for however long we were together last year because we picked up right where we left off (last week). Definitely looking forward to everyone being together now.”
And, hey, maybe Dwayne Allen blossoms after catching his first pass of the season against the Broncos. If that’s the case, the rich just became 1 percenters.
If not, then so be it. Gronkowski has 38 catches for 583 yards and five touchdowns, and he is on pace for 71 receptions and 1,093 yards, which would both be the fourth most of his career.
Now that he has more help, it’s certainly plausible Gronk could take off on a big stretch run. He has been taking a lot of pressure off his teammates, and Bennett’s addition could now do the same for him.
“As a player, I’m trying to help out the team and take pressure off a lot of players out there, whether it’s the receiver group or running back group and try to make plays myself,” Gronkowski said. “I feel like that’s how other players play, too. Whatever anyone brings to the table to help out the team, that’s a great thing, and it definitely helps out big time, not just for myself but the team.”