There’s no question that Rob Gronkowski’s statistics have gone way down this season, compared to his previous All-Pro years. However, football isn’t all about the stats -– it’s about strategic, well-planned game preparation that puts you in the best position to win.
A healthy Gronkowski in the Patriots offense is still a match made in heaven, even if he isn’t spiking balls in the end zone down in Foxboro.
Anyone who knows football knows how important tight ends are to not only the passing game but the run game as well; and while Gronk wasn’t the same as a receiving threat, he still had an above-average offensive rating (74.1) on Pro Football Focus.
Gronkowski is one of the best blocking tight ends in the National Football League, even after the endless amount of serious injuries and major surgeries, including three on his spine, over the past decade.
This year, the Patriots have utilized him and fellow tight end Dwayne Allen heavily in the run game, allowing rookie sensation Sony Michel to score six times this season and almost reach over a thousand yards rushing.
Also, do you ever watch Gronkowski when he runs a route? If you did, you will be able to see that he is drawing coverage from at least two guys the entire game.
By heavily preparing and game planning to cover the former All-Pro tight end, defenses are allowing Tom Brady to find other open receivers downfield, such as the trusted ensemble of White, Edelman, and Hogan.
Gronk is necessary for this Patriots offense to succeed in this postseason, and in their impending Super Bowl run.
And who knows, could the old Gronk emerge in this year’s playoffs? Absolutely. Brady is going to throw to his most trusted receivers, and Gronkowski is definitely at the top of that list.
It’s not just stats. Gronkowski is the biggest weapon in this Pats offense – and it’s why he’ll be the key to this postseason.
