Philo312 41 Posted September 22, 2016 Reports state Gronk is likely to play tonight, If so, is he an automatic "must start"? We've seen this before, albeit rare, where he has acted as a blocker or decoy on his first game back. This & thoughts of Brissett & Edelman has me benching him, given he suits up tonight. Who's in with him? (https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/778925156609785856 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BobSanders_33 127 Posted September 22, 2016 I don't see anyway you sit Gronk if he is out there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZeroTolerance 582 Posted September 22, 2016 Ugh. Stuck between Bennett (#3 QB, Houston D, Gronk back) and Gates (possibly out). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TD Ryan2 315 Posted September 22, 2016 Gronk is a game-time-decision. Should you start him if he's out there? depends on your other options. NE's rookie QB (Jacoby Brissett) will have his hands full managing the HOU pass rush. I expect NE will use a ton of multiple TE sets with (Gronk, Martellus Bennett, and AJ Derby) and rely on both RBs James White, Blount, DJ Foster to keep the run/short-pass/blocking options versatile and unpredictable. NE can load up with a JUMBO type alignment and still throw if they want to... that's a big part of what the Gronk / Bennett tandem brings for them. It protects the young QB without giving up too much of the vertical game. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TD Ryan2 315 Posted September 22, 2016 Ugh. Stuck between Bennett (#3 QB, Houston D, Gronk back) and Gates (possibly out). Pats staff raved about Bennett in week 1 - praising his selflessness and blocking... and it looks like they rewarded him in week 2 for it. I'd expect more of the same. Bennett will play. And he's a critical part of keeping Brissett alive - Brissett seems to have a good rapport with him already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZeroTolerance 582 Posted September 22, 2016 Pats staff raved about Bennett in week 1 - praising his selflessness and blocking... and it looks like they rewarded him in week 2 for it. I'd expect more of the same. Bennett will play. And he's a critical part of keeping Brissett alive - Brissett seems to have a good rapport with him already. Part of my concern is him being used more for blocking against the Texans D rather than running routes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry David 20 Posted September 22, 2016 The NE media guys are all saying he's playing but, it's the Patriots, so I'll believe it when I see it. As of now, I'm starting him over Pitta but there's a good chance I'll regret that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Goomy Noomy Roo 47 Posted September 22, 2016 I think this is just a diversion... so Houston has something else to think about rather than just crushing a third string QB. My hope is that they sit Gronk for one more game... don't want him to get injured against Houston. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Goomy Noomy Roo 47 Posted September 22, 2016 Gronk is telling teammates that he is playing Thursday night. http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/5729/rob-gronkowski Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$epphori$ 118 Posted September 22, 2016 I think he is only playing as a decoy since Pats are down to their 3rd string QB. Need whatever leverage they can get to be able to run the ball tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimaveli 119 Posted September 22, 2016 If you have no grand alternatives, you have to roll him out there and risk him have the avg tight end 4 for 31 game. The upside is why you have him. And you can't miss any of his good games. You can't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philo312 41 Posted September 22, 2016 Gronk is a game-time-decision. Should you start him if he's out there? depends on your other options. NE's rookie QB (Jacoby Brissett) will have his hands full managing the HOU pass rush. I expect NE will use a ton of multiple TE sets with (Gronk, Martellus Bennett, and AJ Derby) and rely on both RBs James White, Blount, DJ Foster to keep the run/short-pass/blocking options versatile and unpredictable. NE can load up with a JUMBO type alignment and still throw if they want to... that's a big part of what the Gronk / Bennett tandem brings for them. It protects the young QB without giving up too much of the vertical game. Good info -thanks Ryan. I like what Bennett brings to this team; big time versatility & great blockIng abilities. I'm leaning towards sitting him for Pitta this week... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimaveli 119 Posted September 22, 2016 I view healthy Pitta as a national treasure. Start him. He easily falls into 'grand alternative' to an iffy Gronk with a dude some of my bros have been calling 'brisket' playing qb on a Thursday night. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PanicAttack 13 Posted September 22, 2016 Latest on Gronk- Active http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000707648/article/rob-gronkowski-will-be-active-for-patriots-vs-texans Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
polecatt 405 Posted September 22, 2016 If he's active you play him. It's Gronk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ffexpert 4 Posted September 22, 2016 Gronk or Pitta.....I will struggle with this decision until game time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Nice 40 Posted September 22, 2016 Never bench your studs....YOLO 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TD Ryan2 315 Posted September 22, 2016 Watching local pre game now. Gronk is active. He's playing tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryskids 5,325 Posted September 22, 2016 If he's active you play him. It's Gronk. My alternative is Jared Cook which is close to taking a zero so... I'm Gronking tonight$#@! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimaveli 119 Posted September 22, 2016 Healthy Pitta is a national treasure. If you don't feel right about Gronk, do the Pitta. If we were talking about a shakier alt, I'd cuss at you and tell you start Gronk without trepidation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TD Ryan2 315 Posted September 22, 2016 Rumors Gronk on a snap count. Plays but set # of plays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wezvidz 2 Posted September 22, 2016 1/2 ppr flex Gronk or Crabtree? Close? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donkey 34 Posted September 22, 2016 1/2 ppr flex Gronk or Crabtree? Close? have same decision. very tough call. leaning gronk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the newb 23 Posted September 23, 2016 I don't see anyway you sit Gronk if he is out there.this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donkey 34 Posted September 23, 2016 well, gronk really screwed us all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Neil 63 Posted September 23, 2016 I could see them sitting him until Brady's return. Never drafted him before and he fell to the 8th pick to me and my friend convinced me. Never again. Torpedo'd my team to 0-3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tanatastic 2,061 Posted September 23, 2016 Ha suckers. Never play injured guys "giving it a go". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimaveli 119 Posted September 23, 2016 Brisket screwed him on his one super obvious red zone target. And hell, the Texans laid on the ball and made it too easy to keep Gronk off the field. Boo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philo312 41 Posted September 23, 2016 Healthy Pitta is a national treasure. If you don't feel right about Gronk, do the Pitta. If we were talking about a shakier alt, I'd cuss at you and tell you start Gronk without trepidation. Whew...Thankfully I'm dancing with Pitta. Thanks for the reminder that he's a gem. My lord. Huge props to NE though -hot damn!-what a bunch of phock sticks Texans looked like tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bjj 0 Posted September 23, 2016 Never bench your studs....YOLO Yeah, I know this mantra well. Thankfully I didn't follow it. I benched Gronk and am quite pleased. Now I just have to decide between Cameron and JThomas. Thomas would generally be a no brainer, but that Baltimore defense has been stingy with TE's for a while dating back to last season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Bastard 154 Posted September 23, 2016 I sat him. You know their limit him big times. He's the key to reaching the superbowl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t-birdie 8 Posted September 23, 2016 Brisket screwed him on his one super obvious red zone target. Hey, it's not Brisket's fault that Gronk isn't 38 feet tall. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Simms 11 127 Posted September 23, 2016 I recommend sitting him, let him play a game first since BB is unpredictable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vick4prez2013 2 Posted September 23, 2016 I recommend sitting him, let him play a game first since BB is unpredictable. Would you have made this recommendation before the game actually went down last night and Gronk ended up with 1 target and zero catches? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryskids 5,325 Posted September 24, 2016 I recommend sitting him, let him play a game first since BB is unpredictable. If I were John F Kennedy I would not go to Dallas in November 1963. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$epphori$ 118 Posted September 25, 2016 Would you have made this recommendation before the game actually went down last night and Gronk ended up with 1 target and zero catches? I did Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$epphori$ 118 Posted September 25, 2016 I think he is only playing as a decoy since Pats are down to their 3rd string QB. Need whatever leverage they can get to be able to run the ball tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites