The one thing the Patriots would love more than anything this weekend is for the Giants to overlook injured tight end Rob Gronkowski. Unfortunately, that won't be the case.
Missing practice Monday and officially listed as questionable, Gronkowski appeared in front of reporters during Tuesday's Media Day sans walking boot. Not that that surprised Giants players in the least.“This is the biggest game of the year,” Giants safety Antrel Rolle told reporters Monday. “(New England) wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for him (Gronkowski), so he’s going to do whatever he has to do to make sure he’s ready for this game, and we understand that.”
Gronkowski has continued his role as Tom Brady's main target in the postseason thus far, amasssing nearly double the yards (232) of any other Patriots receiver, including three touchdowns. He was tentative to state Tuesday that he was definitely a go for Sunday's game, but explained that each day is better than the one before it.
“I’m just going day by day, every single day, just working with the training staff, and whatever the training staff wants me to do, that’s what I’m doing,” Gronkowski said. “I’m making new steps every day, and I’m feeling better every day. That’s a positive sign. You just want to keep going in a positive direction, and I want to be out there with the team, obviously. I want to help out the team, obviously.”
And his team obviously wants him. Gronkowski's fifth-most receiving yards and league-leading touchdown numbers during the regular season are a testament to his versatility and potency on the field; not to mention what his presence does for fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez.
"He's one of, basically the main reason why we succeed so well in this offense," Hernandez told reporters Tuesday. "He's such a huge weapon and causes so many mismatches it makes it hard for defenses to focus on one player. I think he'll be fine, but it would obviously change the game a lot (if he didn't play). It would basically be like playing without our main player."
Even in a potentially limited role, Gronkowski's sheer presence on the field will have an impact on how the Giants will approach the Pats' passing game. And even if New York is not looking at a two-tight-end formation, there is still the threat of slot ace Wes Welker and all-around receiver Deion Branch to keep in check.
“You know what, if he plays, I am sure he is going to help that football team out,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said Monday. “If he doesn’t, I am sure they’ve got other plans. They have a lot of weapons on that team — it’s not just about him. I’m sure they’ve got something planned to counter the fact that he won’t be 100 percent. But we’re not approaching it any different than if he wasn’t 100 percent. We are going to approach it like he is 100 percent.”
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