With the reports that the Pats feel Gronkowski is ready, but he (or "his camp") disagree, how do we think BB is going to handle this?
We know he will bench players for fumbles, missed blocks, slipping on a pass route, etc (although not Brady, even when he's screaming like a petulant spoiled little brat during TNF).
Also, last season, Welker got very few passes thrown to him week 1, and I remember reading that this was almost a "punishment" or "phasing out" since he didn't sign a long term deal (I do not remember whether this was just speculation, or a confirmed report). Welker admitted recently that he left NE, partially because of the way he was treated by BB, especially last year (in SI, I think).
Again, we have the situation with Randy Moss in 2010, after he had "went against" the Pats, saying he wanted a big contract. He was phased out, then traded after only 4 games.
Would BB punish Gronkowski for not going along with what the Patriots wanted/expected?
It would be great if we could get insight from those in NE who might have more insight than me. I'm sure Gronk owners will say "he's the best TE in the game, no way will BB do that!" The fact is that he had one of the best (if not THE BEST) deep WR threats in the game, and he ran him out, and he had the best slot WR in the game, and he ran him out. My worry is that he might do the same to Gronk.