Bench Gronk Until Hernandez Comes Back? (1 Viewer)

[Rovers]

I haven't watched the game again, but did read a report that Gronkowski was doing much more blocking against the Ravens than being sent out on passing routes. If this is indeed the case...he won't get targets simply because they want him to stay in to protect Brady. From what I casually observed in the game against the Ravens, I'm ready to bench him until I see him more involved in the passing game. Any other thoughts? Even if Hernandez comes back, will Gronkowski still become more of a blocking TE, like he was against Baltimore? Pats homers? Opinions?

You may have a point.the New England two TE offense was partially successful because with 2 pass cathing TE's both on the field, one or both could go out for a pass, or block.Teams have to be very careful on Defense not to ignore either of them. They both cause matchup problems for Linebackers because of their speed.This does four things:1) it makes it less likely that they do double coverage on someone like Welker because these are players you cannot ignore coming out of the backfield.2) It makes it harder for the defense to read the play. a TE can block or run a pass route. in the old system either Gronk or Hernandez could choose to stay in and block, while the other slips out to catch a pass. With Hernandez gone, the defenses now know who to defend where before it was not so clear.3) it can open things up for the run if the linebackers play deep (extra blockers) 4) it opens up the deep ball more because the LB's play closer to the line.with only one TE it completely changes this dynamic.I'm sure Brady will adapt, but it will take a couple of games for this to happen.

Thank you for a civil, thought out post. What has happened to the shark pool? Too many people who dismiss a little extra line up value judgement thread calling it the worst of the year, just because they are frankly, just too stooopid to get it. I didn't even offer an opinion, I invited discussion. That usually does atract this sort of critisism around here... and THAT is what is wrong with the shark pool IMO. But, back on topic, I agree the NE offense lacks an identity to a degree when they can't run their standard 2 TE set. That set presents problems, unique problems for defenses IMO. Take away EITHER Hernandez OR Gronkowski, and the game plan changes... perhaps a lot. Winslow is not the elite talent that either of the starting 2 NE TE's are. Some people here seem to be oblivious to how injuries can affect a team. Perhaps the simpletons will understand that the Jets D is no longer startable without Revis... or maybe not. They sure don't understand when a 2 TE offense loses a TE that the possible impact is at least worthy of discussion. We've seen one week where Gronkowski laid an egg without Hernandez so of course, it must be an aberition, right? Maybe not, and THAT was the question I proposed. My specific decision is between Gronkowski and Celek... and Tremblay has Celek projected higher than Gronkowski this week. So, just maybe... this wasn't such a stupid thread after all, eh? Dodds has Gronkowski at 12.0 and Celek at 9.3, while Tremblay has Celek at 10.7 and Gronkowski at 10.4. Bloom loves Gronkowski this week. I think his projection relies too much on history and not on a NE offense lacking a 2nd TE. I surely would not rank Gronkowski over Graham against GB this week, but Bloom did. So, if you you want to offer a civil opinion, please do so, if you want to be a tool, go to another thread, TYIA.

 

[Run It Up]

So, just maybe... this wasn't such a stupid thread after all, eh? Dodds has Gronkowski at 12.0 and Celek at 9.3, while Tremblay has Celek at 10.7 and Gronkowski at 10.4. Bloom loves Gronkowski this week. I think his projection relies too much on history and not on a NE offense lacking a 2nd TE.

Only one way to find out. And in the past when Hernandez missed time (4.5 games of 32) it only negatively affected Gronk once.That offense lacking a 2nd TE absolutely destroyed the Bills, and Gronk was the primary beneficiary of that.Still a very silly thread.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I won't disagree that gronk may be a good play, but it's a very silly post to cite last year's buffalo defense in comparison to this year's.

for that matter, a couple years ago, the pats beat the jets, like, 45-3, and ended up losing to them in the playoffs next meeting of that same year.

last year was last year.

 

[Run It Up]

I won't disagree that gronk may be a good play, but it's a very silly post to cite last year's buffalo defense in comparison to this year's.for that matter, a couple years ago, the pats beat the jets, like, 45-3, and ended up losing to them in the playoffs next meeting of that same year.last year was last year.

They also lost to the Bills last year when they had made most of there defensive personnel changes. They've had a good defense before this year.

 

[Borat]

The O line for the Pats sucks this year he was kept in blocking to keep Brady upright.

Gronk stayed in to block 16 times and ran 33 pass routes on Sunday.

 

[duaneok66]

The O line for the Pats sucks this year he was kept in blocking to keep Brady upright.

Gronk stayed in to block 16 times and ran 33 pass routes on Sunday.

how does that compare to last year?

 

[Yenrub]

Gronkowski is listed as questionable this week

 

[Chazzhawk]

Gronkowski is listed as questionable this week

Benching him because he is questionable this week and you have Bennett or Rudolph is one thing. Benching him because Hernandez is out, is ridiculous.

 

[Chazzhawk]

The O line for the Pats sucks this year he was kept in blocking to keep Brady upright.

Gronk stayed in to block 16 times and ran 33 pass routes on Sunday.

how does that compare to last year?

I couldn't find any numbers from last year in my quick searches, but ESPN, and the Boston Globe said he is pass blocking a lot more. It is also worth noting that week 4 - 6 last year he had 12 catches for 120 yards and no touchdowns.

 

[kyoun1e]

L. Mankins is now out.

Creates more risk in the O-Line. Could potentially mean more blocking for Gronk.

All that said, If I drafted the guy 1st or 2nd round, I'm starting him tmrw.

KY

 

[Shawn]

And I guarantee you K. Winslow does a decent Hernandez impersonation with the help of Bill B. by next Sunday

they are not even close to the same skill set. not to mention Winslow can do as many Hernandez impersonations as he wants, but they aren't very effective when he is sitting at home on the couch!!!

 

[Donnybrook]

The O line for the Pats sucks this year he was kept in blocking to keep Brady upright.

Gronk stayed in to block 16 times and ran 33 pass routes on Sunday.

Login Mankins ruled out this week.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

If he starts and it looks like he will this week, you didn't draft him as high as you did to bench him. Yes, he could block more than normal, I wouldn't expext a huge day for him but he could easily get 70 yards, 5 receptions and a goaline Td. On my team, I don't feel like my backup TE can get that easily, I feel like it's more his ceiling.

 

[kyoun1e]

Guess who NE plays next week?BuffaloGuess what Gronkowski did to them last year?7-109-28-108-2End thread.KY

Should have ended the thread like I said.KY

 

[fruity pebbles]

If it weren't for Gilmore, Gronk would have had 3 TDs today.