Gronk Cleared to Play, Says Bill

[TheoShmeo]

There's a "Breaking News" type banner on the Herald Sports website that proclaims that Gronk is cleared to play, says Bill.
 
I don't know if that means he's practising or if Team Gronk agrees.  But he's not on the PUP list. 
 
Given how important Gronk is to the Pats, the prospect of their TE being ready to go in training camp and likely on the field for Week One is obviously huge.
http://bostonherald.com/sports/

 

[Saints Rest]

The Pats' FB page has this info up as well.
 
An injury-free season (and playoffs!) of Gronk could mean as much to the Pats's chances as anyone besides Brady.

 

[Stitch01]

Quick recovery, pretty surprised and happy that he's cleared to go from the start of camp after so many injuries/surgeries in the last 18 months.  Such a difference maker, hope he's around in January

 

[tims4wins]

Pants off

 

[Super Nomario]

What can we expect this year? Brady and Welker each had arguably their worst seasons in the first year back from ACL surgery. Certainly Gronk will bring more to the table than Hoomanawanui did, but I don't know that we can just pencil him in for a 1200-yard, 15 TD season even if he plays 16 games.

 

[mascho]

What can we expect this year? Brady and Welker each had arguably their worst seasons in the first year back from ACL surgery. Certainly Gronk will bring more to the table than Hoomanawanui did, but I don't know that we can just pencil him in for a 1200-yard, 15 TD season even if he plays 16 games.

 
True.  But what Gronk brings back to the table is a consistent red zone threat this team was sorely lacking last year.  That, plus his ability to draw attention over the middle (opening up the sidelines/underneath/flats) makes this a better offense.  

 

[Number45forever]

I predict that if Gronk plays 16 games, he will score 25 touchdowns and the Pats will go 16-0.  If this team stays healthy, they won't lose until the fall of 2015.
 
Not even kidding either, I haven't been this excited for a Pats season since watching game 1 of the 2007 season and seeing what Moss could do.

 

[GBrushTWood]

I would wrap him up in packing peanuts, quilted pads, and bubble wrap, put him into a box, and open in mid-December. Just keep him healthy for the playoffs.  This team is good enough to qualify for January without Gronk, as we've seen in prior years.
 
Obviously, I have no clue how they go about doing this without wasting a roster spot, but that's why I'm not Bill Belichick. 

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

What can we expect this year? Brady and Welker each had arguably their worst seasons in the first year back from ACL surgery. Certainly Gronk will bring more to the table than Hoomanawanui did, but I don't know that we can just pencil him in for a 1200-yard, 15 TD season even if he plays 16 games.

 
I would think worse case scenario (assuming there are no other injuries and it's just ACL recovery that is hampering him) would be a minor drop off between the 20s where operating in space is more important, but not much impact in the red zone where there is less space and his size wins battles.  I think everyone could live with that. 

 

[rodderick]

What can we expect this year? Brady and Welker each had arguably their worst seasons in the first year back from ACL surgery. Certainly Gronk will bring more to the table than Hoomanawanui did, but I don't know that we can just pencil him in for a 1200-yard, 15 TD season even if he plays 16 games.

 
Adrian Peterson was MVP in his first year back from an ACL tear. People heal differently, we'll see.

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

2013 may have been the worst offseason of the Belichick/Brady era. I like this one a lot better. 

 

[Ed Hillel]

I would wrap him up in packing peanuts, quilted pads, and bubble wrap, put him into a box, and open in mid-December. Just keep him healthy for the playoffs.  This team is good enough to qualify for January without Gronk, as we've seen in prior years.
 
Obviously, I have no clue how they go about doing this without wasting a roster spot, but that's why I'm not Bill Belichick. 

 
Part of me thinks like this, but given the success of the Patriots at home, especially in cold weather, and especially against a certain 40-year old mangled necked public-pandering pizza-eating good old boy, you have to play Gronk as much as possible and just hope he remains healthy. The regular season is important, and byes aren't a given for anyone. This is fantastic news, we just have to hope for the best and maybe start to hope that Gronk starts protecting himself a bit more a la Moss, though I certainly have my doubts as to that.

 

[Stitch01]

Yes, outside of perhaps dialing back his use some in blowouts there isn't much to do to change Gronk's usage.  Just hope he doesn't fluke break an arm or tear an ACL again, the chronic back stuff hasn't really been an issue for Gronk missing time in his pro career. 

 

[dcmissle]

 
Adrian Peterson was MVP in his first year back from an ACL tear. People heal differently, we'll see.

Yes. And after Welker came back lightning quick, I am really hesitant to second guess on these things, though as someone noted re Welker, it's good to temper performance expectations.

Unless I see something borderline moronic -- Gronk playing STs -- I'm inclined to be deferential on this.

Eyes wide open too. If more body parts break, the hole probably gets deeper with him. But they are best positioned to judge whether he is healthy.

 

[Stitch01]

Prepare to see something borderline moronic then, because Id guess there's a reasonable chance Gronk is out there on extra points again.

 

[lexrageorge]

Through the first 13 games of 2010, Welker was on track for 98 catches and 968 yards.  He tailed off a bit in Weeks 15 and 16 (only 6 catches for 61 yards), and then was idle for the meaningless finale against Miami that season.  The Buffalo game in Week 16 was 24-3 at halftime, so the 2nd half of that game did not feature a whole lot of Welker either.  
 
Just saying, his stats, while down from his career averages in 2010, were not as bad as they seem.  While I would expect some regression with Gronk, I'd say 80% of Gronk is still much better than 100% of Hooman. 
 
There is not a single coach in the NFL that would go out of their way to "protect" a key player the entire regular season in the hopes that player remains healthy for the playoffs.  That's not a realistic strategy for success in the NFL.  About the only option is to sew up the playoff seeding after 15 games so that Week 16 becomes a rest game for guys like Gronk.  

 

[mascho]

Even that Week 16 scenario is rare in Foxboro. (See Welker, Wes)

 

[j44thor]

Does it make sense to try to teach Gronk to avoid contact a bit more?  I realize Gronk "Smash" dragging 3 defenders an extra 5yds is cool and all but from a longevity standpoint  it would seem a lot more prudent to go down after getting the first down or god forbid go out of bounds.  
 
Sure this doesn't play to his persona or what he has done throughout his career but if the Pats want to go deep into the playoffs I'd say it is almost a necessity.  

 

[ernieshore]

It's the way Gronk gets tackled that will still worry me about every play. Because it is so hard to bring him down (along with the fear of head hits), his legs and ankles are frequently and intentionally targeted. And it is not just like the one that blew out his knee, but you see often see tacklers roll over and put all their weight on his ankles to get him down. I remember freaking out a few times when he would hobble off from tackles like that in past seasons.     

 

[Tony C]

Yeah, that's spot on. There was debate about the degree of dirtiness of last year's injury hit, but watching it I don't think you can blame the DB -- he would have been dragged by Gronk unless he went low.

 

[soxfan121]

Does it make sense to try to teach Gronk to avoid contact a bit more?  I realize Gronk "Smash" dragging 3 defenders an extra 5yds is cool and all but from a longevity standpoint  it would seem a lot more prudent to go down after getting the first down or god forbid go out of bounds.  
 
Sure this doesn't play to his persona or what he has done throughout his career but if the Pats want to go deep into the playoffs I'd say it is almost a necessity.  

 
What about Robert Gronkowski has suggested to you that telling him to "avoid contact" would have an effect whatsoever?
 
Gronk is as Gronk does. You can't tell the Kool-Aid man to not run through walls and you can't tell Gronk to avoid contact. Sheesh.

 

[RedOctober3829]

@NEPD_Loyko: Last week #Patriots were truly unsure if Gronk would be ready to go Today not only did he get cleared, he looks "physically as good as ever"

 

[brandonchristensen]

I still haven't watched the hit that took him out. Nor do I want to.
 
This is excellent news. 

 

[Granite Sox]

Volin hatching Coach Bill power-play theories:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/23/patriots-want-rob-gronkowski-back-field-their-terms/gY084KEY5qkajAx1ssMt9I/story.html

 

[soxfan121]

But later that week, it was explained to me that Belichick wasn’t upset with the question, per se. The subtext under his answer was, “Do you really think I have a timetable for his return after everything we went through last year?”
 

 
Ben, that was Ron Borges fucking with you. He isn't your friend. 

 

[Ed Hillel]

Ben, that was Ron Borges fucking with you. He isn't your friend.

Reading that article, I'm guessing they're probably good friends, or will be soon. Belichick is going to despise him, if he doesn't already. Any time he asks a question, he's going to get one of Bill's remarks, and it's only going to make Volin more bitter. Should be fun to watch.

Also, can someone please edit the thread title to "GRONK PLAY FOOTBALL"?

 

[WaxPack]

Didn't some doctor here state he'd bet $100 that Gronk would start the year on the Pup list?

 

[JerBear]

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/492351689412710401
 
The brace on his arm seems more substantial than the brace on his knee.

 

[Leather]

He's more machine than man now. Twisted and evil.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Per Howe, Gronk only practiced for half of the time.

 

[WaxPack]

Found it! 
 
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/80916-gronks-knee-injury-surgery-set-in-january/?p=5199399

 

[JerBear]

Found it! 
 
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/80916-gronks-knee-injury-surgery-set-in-january/?p=5199399

With the amount we all owe DRS for his $10 consultations I think we're still in the red.

 

[dcmissle]

Rodney Harrison on his weekly NBC radio show this morning.

1. I've has the injury and it's not the same until Year 2. I spent much of year 1 worrying about the knee and clutter at my feet.

2. Any safety with any brain is going right at Gronk's knee. Not to be a prick, but out of self preservation. It's ridiculous to even think of hitting Gronk above the waist

 

[RedOctober3829]

5. This sets up to be another big week in the return of Rob Gronkowski. The tight end, who missed the three joint practices and the preseason opener in Washington against the Redskins, is expected to take part in the practices this week with the Eagles. To this point in the summer, it’s apparent that he’s been able to hit all the key points in his rehab process — while he hasn’t been involved in any 11-on-11 work with his teammates over the second half of most practices, he’s been frequently seen working off to the side with quarterback Tom Brady and cornerback Darrelle Revis, running routes, catching passes and breaking a good sweat as he continues to build up his fitness level. Now, the next step figures to be live 11-on-11 work. While it’s not clear what his level of involvement will be this week against the Eagles, it’s worth noting that when he came back in 2010, Wes Welker was held out of the preseason opener against the Saints and had his first game action that summer in Week 2 against the Falcons, when he got six snaps. In Week 3 against the Rams that summer, it was another six snaps for Welker against the Rams. Given the similar length between Welker and Gronkowski’s respective injuries and the start of camp (Welker suffered his knee injury in January, while Gronkowski was hurt in December), it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Patriots utilize the same rehab timetable they did with Gronkowski as they did with Welker four years ago.
 

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2014/08/10/sunday-nfl-notes-whats-a-reasonable-level-of-expectation-for-dominique-easley-this-season/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter