GRONK BACK IN THE ZONE
Big tight end giddy after win
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — At his press conference Friday, a jubilant Rob Gronkowski declared that he’d be making his return to the field against the Jets.
Gronkowski also ended up returning to the end zone.
The superstar tight end secured a 34-yard touchdown with 1:11 remaining in the first quarter, fending off Jets defensive back Morris Claiborne on a deep pass down the middle of the field.
Amazingly, it was his first score since the season opener.
Everyone on the Patriots’ side was thrilled to have Gronkowski back. He had missed three of the past four games with nagging back and ankle injuries, and hadn’t look like himself in months.
Nobody was giddier than Gronk, though.
“I’ve just been putting the work in the last couple of weeks, whatever it was, to get back,” Gronkowski said. “...It was a lot of hard work to get to where I am, so now I just have to keep it going.”
Gronkowski pulled in three receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown in the Pats’ 27-13 victory.
“The guy’s been through a lot over the course of his career,” said Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be here for the entirety of it. He’s a special guy who’s really busted his butt to do everything that he can to help this football team. He’s had a lot of adversity and every time adversity comes he steps up to the challenge and finds a way to meet it... He brings a unique energy, unique vibe to our football team. His role on our team is really hard to describe how important he is.”
Although he caught only three passes, Gronkowski’s presence was felt throughout the game.
“I think that’s certainly a key for us,” said Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. “This is the first time we’ve had a lot of guys healthier and it just helped everything out.”
Added receiver Julian Edelman: “There are a lot of eyes going to him. He’s probably the best tight end to ever suit up. Any time he’s on the field he’s going to attract attention and it helps everyone.”
Injury scare
Patriots running back Sony Michel, who has already suffered two separate knee injuries this season, went down awkwardly on a thirdand-short carry in the third quarter. He left the field slowly with the help of trainers, and had his lower back examined on the sideline. Michel eventually returned and finished off the Jets, racking up a career-high 133 yards on the ground.
“My whole mindset was just being able to get right, get back on the field to help my team,” Michel said.
With Michel leading the way, the running game was the best it’s been in weeks.
“We want to be physical,” Michel said. “When you’re physical, you can run the ball, you can throw the ball. It’s almost like you control the line of scrimmage and do what you want to do. Coach (Josh) McDaniels has a great play and we’re excited to go out there and just execute it.”
Gilmore rebounds
Stephon Gilmore, who has been one of the league’s top cornerbacks all season, rebounded nicely from an uncharacteristic outing versus the Titans.
Gilmore locked down Jets receiver Robby Anderson and came up with a critical interception late in the first half.
He out-jumped Anderson for the ball at the goal line, ending a Jets drive and halting their momentum.
“I kind of knew it was coming,” Gilmore said. “They like to take a lot of shots crossing the 50. I knew it was coming and I just made a play. I saw it earlier, but it’s a little film study. It’s more in the coverage, knowing the weakness of the coverage and I was able to make a play.”
Gilmore had no problem putting his struggles versus Tennessee’s Corey Davis behind him.
“It was a bounce back game for all of us,” Gilmore said. “What happened in the past, even when I play good, I try to forget it and prepare for the next week. I was able to do that again this week.”