Rob Gronkowski The New England Patriots currently have 88 players on their active
roster. However
Youth Chase Winovich Jersey , only 53 of them will be able to survive the cutdowns on September 1 and ultimately make the team. Over the course of the
offseason, we take a look at the players fighting for those spots to find out
who has the best chances of helping the Patriots recapture the Vince Lombardi
Trophy.Today, the series continues with the NFL’s best tight end.Name: Rob
GronkowskiPosition: Tight endJersey number: 87Opening day age: 29Experience:
8Size: 6’6, 270 lbs.2017 review: After ending the 2016 season on injured reserve
due to a back injury, Rob Gronkowski returned in impressive fashion last year
and left little doubt that he is still in a tight end class of his own. The
future Hall of Famer was named first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl, and
led all tight ends in receiving yards during the regular season (1,084) — all
while finishing second in touchdowns (8) and fifth in receptions (69).Gronkowski
also was a rather reliable presence for the Patriots in 2017. He appeared in 14
of 16 regular season contests and missed one game each because of a thigh injury
(week 5 vs. Tampa Bay) and a suspension stemming from an unnecessary roughness
call (week 13 vs. Miami). Overall, he was on the field for 903 of a possible
1,139 offensive snaps (79.3%) and played less than 85% in just two of his
in-game appearances.As noted above, Gronkowski was his usual dominant self when
on the field. Not only did he stand out as a pass catcher who led his position
in yards per reception (15.7) and yards per route run (2.4), he also once again
proved to be arguably the best blocking tight end in the game: Gronkowski was
regularly used as a run blocker and pass protector, and usually held his ground
even when going against some of the NFL’s best defenders.Gronkowski’s high-level
play continued in the postseason. Pro Football Focus’ number one rated tight end
appeared in all three of New England’s playoff games and was on the field for
79.6% of his team’s offensive snaps (176 of 221). If not for a concussion he
sustained during the second quarter of the AFC Championship Game, his playing
time percentage would have been even higher.But despite missing some time — just
like during the regular season —
Womens Chase Winovich Jersey , his numbers were again magnificent: Gronkowski finished the tournament with 16 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
He was at his best in the Super Bowl against a very good Philadelphia Eagles
defense: catching nine passes for 116 yards and two scores, Gronkowski was one
of the factors why New England was in the game up until the very end.But while
the Patriots came up short in the title game, 2017 was another successful
individual campaign for Gronkowski. Coming off a stint on injured reserve, he
proved to still be the NFL’s best tight end and a weapon unlike any other in the
league.2018 preview: Gronkowski made headlines immediately after the Super Bowl,
when he did not fully commit to returning in 2018. Despite the wave of rumors
and speculation this kicked off, though, he ultimately was back on the practice
fields for the mandatory portion of the Patriots’ spring and summer workout
sessions. And from that point on — through minicamp and training camp —, it was
business as usual for the NFL’s best tight end.Consequently, Gronkowski is
expected to be one of the most dominant players in the league in 2018. When
healthy — something that was not always the case over his previous eight years
as a pro —, the 29-year old should be on the field for at least 85% of New
England’s offensive snaps every given week and be among the team and league
leaders in every significant receiving category.Gronkowski will therefore
continue to be one of the core members of New England’s offensive machinery. In
that role, he will once more be a reliable receiving weapon for quarterback Tom
Brady in the intermediate and deep portions of the field as well as in the red
zone — which is especially valuable when considering the team’s current
uncertainties at the wide receiver position, with personal turnover and Julian
Edelman suspended for four games.At a salary cap hit of $10.91 million (the
fourth-highest on the team), he will furthermore also be a sound investment for
the team: a player of his elite caliber and abilities as a pass catcher and
blocker in the passing and running game is certainly worth this level of
financial burden. One of the most-anticipated games of this year’s regular
season will take place in Foxboro on Sunday night: the New England Patriots will
host the Green Bay Packers. While the visiting team has had its ups and downs
this season
Authentic Chase Winovich Jersey , it still features a powerful offense — led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers — and an efficient defense.Let’s
analyze the matchup by taking a look at some of the advanced stats heading into
the game (courtesy of SB Nation’s Bill Connelly; for his methodology please
click here).Patriots offense vs Packers defenseNormal down and distance in the
open fieldWhile New England’s offense shows some inconsistencies in the open
field, the Green Bay defense performs well between its own 30-yard line and the
opponents’ 10. This will make for an interesting matchup especially when it
comes to moving the football: the Patriots have regular success – gaining 50% of
necessary yardage on first down, 70% on second down, and 100% on third and
fourth down – in this area, as do the Packers.Backed Up Situations Near the Goal
LineThe Patriots’ success rate when backed up looks solid albeit unspectacular
after eight games, with the turnover percentage still hurting from a tipped week
one interception. The Packers’ defense, meanwhile, is one of the best in the NFL
when it comes to limiting an offense’s effectiveness inside the opposing 10-yard
line.Red ZoneDespite having to settle for three field goals and only one
touchdown in the red zone on Monday against the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots
offense is still among the NFL’s best inside the opponent’s 30-yard line – but
one that gets weaker the closer it approaches the goal line. The Packers
defense, meanwhile, is wildly inconsistent in the red area with obvious
weaknesses coming inside the 10-yard line. If New England gets down there,
chances are the team’s output will look better than last week.Third DownsGreen
Bay has a serviceable third down defense no matter the situation it finds itself
in. The Patriots offense, however
Chase Winovich Jersey Boys , outranks the unit in all but one categories: New England successfully converts more third-and-longs and third-and-shorts. The
middle range – two to six yards to go – is where the Packers have a statistical
advantage heading into the game, so improving there has to be high up on the
home team’s agenda.Blitz SituationsThe Packers match up well with New England’s
offense when it comes to blitz situations – obvious passing downs specified as
first-and-18 or more, second-and-14 or more, and third-and-3 or more. Facing an
aggressive pass rush that ranks fourth in the league in such situations could
pose a challenge for a Patriots offensive line that is performing very well on
the year but could be without its starters on the right side: Shaq Mason missed
the first two practices of the week with a calf injury, Marcus Cannon the last
two games because of a concussion.Patriots defense vs Packers offenseNormal down
and distance in the open fieldThe Patriots defense, having faced a highly
inconsistent Bills team in week eight, improved its open field rankings when
compared to last week. In general, this will make for an interesting battle
against a Packers defense that moves the football well in this part of the
field. The key matchup might be third down: making sure to get off the field has
to be a priority against a potent team that has had some success when it comes
to sustaining drives.Backed Up Situations Near the Goal LineThe Patriots are no
defensive world beaters when having an opposing offense pinned down inside its
10-yard line, but the Packers are not overly exciting in this part of the field
either. Mediocre versus mediocre.Red ZoneNew England’s defense is back at its
bend-don’t-break roots and one of the best units in the NFL again inside the
20-yard line. The Packers offense, meanwhile, is inconsistent in this part of
the field: while it performs well inside the 10-yard line – except when it comes
to turnover rate – its success is limited between the 30 and 10. Of course,
stopping Green Bay before getting too close to the goal line and thus forcing
field goals instead of surrendering touchdowns would be big for the
Patriots.Third DownsThe Patriots’ defensive struggles on third down continue.
Even though the team is strong on third-and-longs, it is among the worst in the
league inside six yards to gain. Green Bay
Youth Julian Edelman Jerseys , on the other hand, is generally successful on third downs — especially when there is less than one yard to gain. To make
matters worse for New England from a statistical perspective: the team has yet
to stop a third-and-short conversion this season, Green Bay has had success on
all of them. Advantage Packers.Blitz SituationsOne of the most interesting
battles of Sunday night could be whether or not Green Bay is able to generate
big plays against a New England defense that is average in this area. With Aaron
Rodgers at the helm and explosive pass catchers like Davante Adams, Jimmy
Graham, and Randall Cobb as potential targets, the Patriots need to be able to
limit the big play – especially in so-called blitz situations.Overall, the
Patriots and Packers match up rather evenly which means that the little things
might make the difference and be the keys to the game:Third down: if New England
can get wins in this area to extend or stop drives, it would go a long way to
dictate the tempo and rhythm of the game.Red zone: the Packers are inconsistent
in this part of the field on both sides of the football, which might play into
the Patriots’ hands.Big plays: New England’s defense has gotten worse when it
comes to defending big plays over the last few weeks – now would be a good time
to bounce back.If New England is able to get regular victories in most of those
areas, it would go a long way to getting a victory in the game as well.
