Report: Rob Gronkowski Likely to Play in Super Bowl XLVI, But May Need Surgery After
by Greg Knopping on Jan 29, 2012 8:32 PM EST
in New England Patriots News
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PrintWhen Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski went down lame on his ankle late in last week's AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, it looked like the big guy had suffered a serious injury. Then, he returned to the game late and when it was reported Monday that he would definitely be playing, it appeared he may have avoided anything serious altogether.
Now, according to a report from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, it appears that Gronkowski has indeed suffered a high ankle sprain and while he is expected to play in Super Bowl XLVI against the Giants, it could limit his effectiveness:
Per a league source, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski indeed has a "classic" high ankle sprain. The source says that Gronkowski, who didn't practice last week, probably won't practice at all before the game.
But the source believes Gronkowski will play, even though it's currently believed that he'll need arthroscopic surgery on the ankle after the game.
Clearly, this is anything but good news. I was hoping that Gronkowski could make an appearance at practice, although I'm sure he will be doing all the necessary work behind the scenes. No one is going to challenge Gronk's toughness. I do believe he will make some big plays in the Super Bowl, but this certainly appears troublesome.
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Arthroscopic surgery isn't bad at all
I’ve had a few of those, including me knees and shoulder, and it’s perfectly fine. You’re back to 100% (playing contact sports) in roughly a month. Hardly invasive at all.
It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.
Right, it's a routine procedure
But I’m seriously worried about his ability to produce at a high level in SB XLVI
by Greg Knopping on Jan 29, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
This offense without Gronk
Has me really worried for the Super Bowl. Gronk is just as much a safety valve for Brady as Welker. If Gronk is hobbled, just neutralize Welker and it’s not like anybody else is going to get open.
Hernandez, but yeah...
The flaw of this offense is almost the entire pass-game is through Welker/Gronk/Hernandez who all operate between the numbers. Now with a question mark hanging over Gronk, that leaves Welker and Hernandez as the two reliable receiving options.
Pats are going to need something outside of the numbers.
It is what it is
Exactly what I have been saying
It was the same for us last week against the Niners. No threat on the edges.
Granted they had Alex Smith throwing, but I’m just commenting on the similar lack of an outside threat posed by the Patriot offense. And if Gronk is limited than that is a blow to your strength down the middle.
I don’t like to see the guy injured, but after watching his ankle get crushed close up, I will believe he is effective when I see it.
Another thought…. the Pats are the last of the big offense, want to turn the game into a track meet left in the tournament team. GB, NO gone. Interestingly enough you could look at the Giants all season defensive rankings and lump them in with you guys as well. But we both know both the Pats and the Giants defenses are playing a whole lot better in the post season than their regular season rankings, and both teams can score big time.
But as I stated above, I’ll believe Gronk is ok when I see it.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
Wishful thinking, tommy
Gronk will be out there. An 80% Gronkowski is still the best TE left in the postseason.
And the similarities between the Patriots’ and 49ers’ offenses exist only in your mind.
Can I Scream?
SUGGESTED EDIT:
An 80% Gronkowski is still the best TEleft in the postseason.
The Year of Extreme Opinions
BLAAAAAAARGH OMFG SIGN STARTERS!!
I apologize if this post has offended you in any way. Please retroactively ignore it. Thank you for your consideration.
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 30, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
it is a worry, no doubt...
But perhaps someone will step up and surprise us- this team played before Gronk, and they can play and survive without him again- will it be as good without him? Probably no… But it is not time to sing the doom song just yet, either.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Jan 29, 2012 9:04 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Pats can't expect to win with just Welker and Hernandez catching passes.
This is a chance for Rob Gronkowski to solidify his reputation as a throwback, but even with a heroic effort from him, we’ll probably still need guys like Deion Branch and Chad Ochocinco to step up as the #2 and #3 wideouts(with maybe some Underwood and/or Slater mixed in). We also of course need a strong performance from our Defense and enough of a performance from our run-game to take pressure off of the passing-game.
It is what it is
What will be will be-
While not having Gronk is definitely not good for the offense, having him if he is significantly hobbled may be no better.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Jan 29, 2012 9:02 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I know the flags fly forever...
But perhaps it would be better if Gronk did not go- I’m not sure it is worth risking his future for one game- no matter how big.
Damn you Pollard!
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Jan 29, 2012 9:00 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
He'll be fine for next season.
Let’s wait and see.
It is what it is
Yo
I’m glad CSN brought it up last night, but Gronk’s agent is Drew Rosenhaus (sp?). You know, agent for big stars like T.O., OchoCinco, Dez Bryant, and others? CSN said that Drew had his input on this, and more or less noted that Drew would tell Gronk not to play if Gronk’s harming his future earning interests by doing so, and they’ve still said that Gronk can’t hurt himself further by playing.
It’s all about his effectiveness. End of story.
Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?
worrisome for sure
a week to go.. gronk not practicing and playing… doesn’t look good at all for the pats… hoping against hope.. maybe ocho does something.. idiot pollard.. damn you. all we can hope is our defense rises up again and supports our offense and manning has one of his worst days (he hasnt had too many this year..)
The Chinese symbol for crisis
Is said to contain both the symbols for danger, and for opportunity- does losing Gronk represent a crisis for this team- possibly. But it is also an opportunity for other people to step up. They can do this- this team is built on the concept of “next man up”. Now it is up to somebody to step up.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Jan 29, 2012 9:12 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 2 recs
^this
As much as Gronk is a huge part of the offence and I desperately want him to be close to 100%, hell, this is NFL. Injuries do happen and this is what separates great teams and so-so teams (No Pollard, I have not forgiven you yet). If Gronk is just 80%, others will fill in the void by playing 110% and that is how BB built this team.
Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?
Hold on
So Big Ben played two and a half games after his injury but Gronk can’t go for 60 plays in the last game of the season? Jack Youngblood played in Super Bowl XIV with a fractured fibula. Gronk is not a speed or finesse guy so just catch the ball and start plowing. His blocking should be fine as well. I hope the Giants relax into thinking he can’t get it done.
by Alliecon on Jan 29, 2012 9:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
He'll have issues jumping and landing...
Which he does a lot when he’s reaching way over a defender’s head.
It is what it is
I'm more concerned with Giant's defenders specifically targeting his ankle
and trying to take him out of the game – like they did with the 49ers’ Kyle Williams.
Keep the faith!
thats already proven to be a non story
And an ankle is not treated the same as a blow to the head. Move along
by jhMLB on Jan 30, 2012 9:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Just because YOU deem it a non-story, doesn't mean it isn't a story.
Trying to knock out a guy with multiple concussions in the head is worse. An ankle will heal, heads maybe not. Pats already lost a good player, Mike Wright, to concussions. It’s serious.
Keep the faith!
its already been proven not a single giant went head hunting on him
You want the giants to tackle him softly or what?
by jhMLB on Jan 30, 2012 1:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Actually the investigation is still pending
Interviews, film review, suspects still being grilled, lawyers being called, this could go on for awhile. All I know is, they better stay away from Gronks ankle, or they are gonna be in for it.
Link?
The Year of Extreme Opinions
BLAAAAAAARGH OMFG SIGN STARTERS!!
I apologize if this post has offended you in any way. Please retroactively ignore it. Thank you for your consideration.
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 30, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
When did the Jets
Start wearing blue? I knew having two NFL teams in New York would eventually cause some confusion.
Can I Scream?
Definitely a concern
But this is where my boy Ocho steps up with 80yds and 2 TDs. Mr. Johnson has been waiting his entire career for this moment and he is far too good of an athlete to let it pass. Mark my words. superbowl MVP.
When I hear that trumpet sound, I'm gonna rise right outta the ground. Ain't no grave can hold my body down.
by DocOne on Jan 29, 2012 10:08 PM EST via mobile reply actions
No words can express
How much I would love this.
Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?
I don't think the limits of Gronk are all that bad.
We’re going to need to run the ball pretty effectively anyways, we still have Welker and Hernandez, and I don’t think it’s fair to overlook Branch by any means. I think we’re planning for some more 4 wide receiver sets too, which would bring Chad in. I think Gronk will be playing in a lot of red zone situations, particularly routes in the endzone just 10 yards out.
Shawn Johnson... she's a nice lady
Dang
Well…Hernandez, Welker, Branch, Ochocinco, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Brady need to bring in their A game next Sunday! So must our defense as well!
I dont think it will be that much of an issue
He will play in the midst of adrenaline and with a cortisone shot before the game and likely at halftime. Brady will have to look for other options if Gronk is double covered, which normally isnt that much of a problem, but if he’s wide open gronk will still be gronk.
"I don't put any foreign substances on the baseball. Everything I use is from the good old U.S.A."
JVSM
Pedroya Lova
by Dustin's #1 Fan on Jan 29, 2012 11:44 PM EST reply actions
Pollard needs to "trip on a curb" in the offseason.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 30, 2012 7:37 AM EST reply actions
Gronk not having any practice for two weeks concerns me
Maybe keep Gronk out first half and play him second half so when the more severe pain does kick in, the game will likely be over
Maybe Ocho and Brady miraculously develop some connection out of the blue and Ocho catches 11 passes for 245 yards but gets even better the remaining 3 quarters
I remember watching the GB game. Rodgers was passing well but all his receivers across the board dropped passes and some were very critical ones. GB loss was a Tale of too many dropped passes and that defense against the Hail Mary was a lack of mental focus at a critical time.
Brady can be ON but the receivers can’t become antsy catching the ball. When Brady is on target, they must make those catches.
Without Gronk, the OL and defense will have to step up even more.
My expectations will be that Gronk gets in one-half a game but not sure how capable he will be duiring that time.
I suspect
Gronk will be on horse tranquilizers, play normally, and then not be able to move for a month.
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
We just need to spread the ball around and make a handful of big plays on offense.
Gronko will be doing alot of pass protection that will be a huge benefit even if he isn’t full strength. That will be less painful than coming out of breaks all the time IMO. What do you guys think?
by Yardpenalty.com on Jan 31, 2012 10:34 AM EST reply actions
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