NFL 2013 Season

[faldor]

The fact remains that Rob Gronkowski has dealt with injuries for years.  That's why he slipped in the draft and the Patriots were able to trade up in the 2nd round to take him.  He missed his entire junior year due to back surgery.  They say the disc in his back that's giving him problems now is unrelated to his previous back issues, but the injuries are mounting.  He's a big guy who doesn't shy away from contact on the field.  His aggressive style of play is conducive to the possibility of getting injured.  It's hard for a guy to change the way he plays in such a drastic sense.  But I think that is the reason for him missing so many games over the last 2 years.  Not his off field activities.  That's a convenient excuse, to point to, but it really doesn't hold any water.  He's a young guy, likes to have fun, loves to play football with reckless abandonment.  But as good as he and Aaron Hernandez are, they get hurt.  It happens.

I hear ya.  It's just frustrating to watch guys do dumb things.  I am biased because I've never been a "club" guy. 
If I was an NFL talent I'd sure as hell be nowhere near a club.
I'd have nutritionally perfected meals.  I'd have structured workouts designed by experts to ensure I am decreasing my risk of injury (which this guy has had throughout his collegiate and NFL career).
Has he been doing everything in his power to toe the line with responsible activities?  the best nutrition??  Both are heavy influences on predisposition to injury.  Then again, he could be doing all the right things but just have a genetic predisposition to "Chris Chandler Syndrome." (a.k.a. Crystal Chandelier) 
I don't know the answer, but something tells me he's not living like Tony Gonzales.  Gronk will be lucky to play half the years Gonzo's played. 

Gronk certainly doesn't live a saintly life.  He loves to party and have a good time.  That's part of what makes him such a fan favorite.  It's hard for someone to change who they are at the drop of a hat.  Maybe he will tone it down later in his career.  Maybe it'll be too late by then.  Maybe he wouldn't be the same player if he didn't have that carefree attitude.  It's tough to say.  I guess if given the choice, I'd take a boring guy who just goes about his business and produces on the field.  But Gronk is SUCH a unique character, he gets a pass more than most others.

[AxlsMainMan]

Rob Gronkowski is set to return to the operating table, but it doesn't involve his troublesome forearm.

NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Wednesday that the New England Patriots tight end will need back surgery, according to a source briefed on his status. Surgery tentatively is set for mid-June and will be performed by Dr. Robert Watkins, according to Breer.

It's expected that Gronkowski will miss at least part of Patriots training camp.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000207740/article/gronk-to-have-back-surgery-likely-to-miss-part-of-camp

[tim_m]

You beat me to it. I was just coming here to mention that.

[Drew]

The story of Rob Gronkowski is getting more and more frustrating.

[tim_m]

Not looking like the Pats can count on him for much this season.

[faldor]

Not looking like the Pats can count on him for much this season.

That remains to be seen.  This surgery isn't considered major, and there's a possibility that he'll miss the beginning of camp.  Of course I tend to think there's a real possibility that he'll miss the first few weeks of the season at the very least.  But it's too early to say.  At least from the timetable I read today it sounds like he has to wait for the forearm to heal a bit to make sure there's no infection before he has the back surgery.  Then it's 12 weeks of rehab and you'd imagine it'd take him a bit to get into game shape.  So missing the first month of the season would seem to be on the optimistic side.

Good thing the Pats signed Jake Ballard away from the Giants last year and stashed him on IR.  Everyone was killing them for doing so, saying it was dirty because they had no need for more TE's.  Well, IF he is healthy enough to make the team, that could end up being a great move on their part.  So far, he looks pretty good in OTA's from what I've heard.

[tim_m]

Not looking like the Pats can count on him for much this season.

That remains to be seen.  This surgery isn't considered major, and there's a possibility that he'll miss the beginning of camp.  Of course I tend to think there's a real possibility that he'll miss the first few weeks of the season at the very least.  But it's too early to say.  At least from the timetable I read today it sounds like he has to wait for the forearm to heal a bit to make sure there's no infection before he has the back surgery.  Then it's 12 weeks of rehab and you'd imagine it'd take him a bit to get into game shape.  So missing the first month of the season would seem to be on the optimistic side.

Good thing the Pats signed Jake Ballard away from the Giants last year and stashed him on IR.  Everyone was killing them for doing so, saying it was dirty because they had no need for more TE's.  Well, IF he is healthy enough to make the team, that could end up being a great move on their part.  So far, he looks pretty good in OTA's from what I've heard.

Good low risk move by the Pats if Gronk is unable to play for an extended period of time.

[AxlsMainMan]

Ben Roethlisberger has undergone minor knee surgery.

[tim_m]

Well this is an interesting development. The Pats have signed Tim Tebow.

[GeorgeSteele]

Well this is an interesting development. The Pats have signed Tim Tebow.

Wow, totally unexpected, but somewhat makes sense, given that Josh McDaniels drafted him and still thinks highly of him.  Doesn't appear to be a tight-end/H-back/special teams thing either --- they just cut Mike Kafka, a QB, to make room for him on the roster.

[Axl4Prez2004]

I'm looking forward to Faldor's take on this!
Personally, I think it's a no-lose deal for the Pats:

Positives: 
strong locker room presence
sells a ton of jerseys
extra gadget player (fullback/halfback/tight end/special teams?/goal line)

Negatives:
I can't really think of any.
Mallett will be starting if Brady blows out an ACL. 

Best possible fit for Tebow in my opinion.
 

[tim_m]

Well this is an interesting development. The Pats have signed Tim Tebow.

Wow, totally unexpected, but somewhat makes sense, given that Josh McDaniels drafted him and still thinks highly of him.  Doesn't appear to be a tight-end/H-back/special teams thing either --- they just cut Mike Kafka, a QB, to make room for him on the roster.

I'm very interested on his take on this. I tweeted about it to him but haven't heard back yet.

[faldor]

I'm looking forward to Faldor's take on this!
Personally, I think it's a no-lose deal for the Pats:

Positives: 
strong locker room presence
sells a ton of jerseys
extra gadget player (fullback/halfback/tight end/special teams?/goal line)

Negatives:
I can't really think of any.
Mallett will be starting if Brady blows out an ACL. 

Best possible fit for Tebow in my opinion.
 

I was surprised at the timing of the move, that's about all.  I fully expected them to take a chance on Tebow sometime in the future.  I just didn't expect it to be this soon.  But I guess the timing was right in the end.  Tebow was without a team, his stock was pretty much at an all time low and he was unwanted by other teams.  They eventually will need to find a replacement for Brady, unfortunately.  Mallett has 2 years left on his contract, so they'll have to make a decision on him soon. 

Where Tebow fits into the equation is anyone's best guess.  Do they view him as a QB and a possible replacement?  If so, they could try to develop him the next 2 seasons (signed him to a 2 year deal).  If it doesn't work out by or before then, they could just cut him.  If they decide he's not a legit QB prospect along the way, they could try to implement him in other ways.  Maybe they already have a plan for him.  That all remains to be seen.  In all honesty, I'm not sure he's a guarantee to make the team.  They didn't carry a 3rd QB last season.  But his versatility would seem to play in his favor, if they feel comfortable using him in other areas.  So, I do think he will make the team when all is said and done.

So I don't have a problem with the signing.  I was actually surprised at how much some of my friends, and assorted Boston area fans and media types, HATED the deal.  While I see difficulty in how this move helps the Patriots.  I think it has far more of a chance to help than it does to hurt them.  I don't really see the negative in it.  If it doesn't work out, they just cut him loose.  Belichick already gave the media a glimpse of things to come today at his press conference.  He will have NONE of the circus that surrounds Tim Tebow.  He won't allow it to become a distraction.  And again, if it does, he'll do what's necessary.  Bottom line though, Bill is a big fan of Tebow's.  And so is Josh McDaniels.  So essentially, this is it for Tim Tebow.  If he can't succeed, or at least show signs of improvement in New England, I think it's over for his NFL career.

[tim_m]

Ex Giant Bradshaw has signed with the Colts.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Ex Giant Bradshaw has signed with the Colts.

That's funny...if a real "colt" (horse) had a foot as bad as his, it would be shot.
I hope he can get healthy.  He's a solid back when healthy.

[faldor]

Lots of news for Patriots TE's today. Gronkowski had successful back surgery. Oh, and Aaron Hernandez is being questioned about a murder that occurred nearby his home. That's never a good thing.

[tim_m]

Yeah i saw that. Do they think there's any possibility he was involved?

[faldor]

Yeah i saw that. Do they think there's any possibility he was involved?

It's not known at this point but it's not looking good.  A story came out today that a guy is filing a lawsuit against Hernandez because he claims he "shot him in the face" back in February.  So all in all, a few really bad days/weeks/months for Aaron.  Maybe there's a good reason he slid so far down in the draft, other than the fact that he smoked pot.

Needless to say, I'd much rather have my All Pro TE dancing like a fool at clubs and taking pictures with porn stars than getting involved in situations like these.  Puts Gronk being Gronk into perspective.  Nothing he did was really that bad.

[tim_m]

Yeah i saw that. Do they think there's any possibility he was involved?

It's not known at this point but it's not looking good.  A story came out today that a guy is filing a lawsuit against Hernandez because he claims he "shot him in the face" back in February.  So all in all, a few really bad days/weeks/months for Aaron.  Maybe there's a good reason he slid so far down in the draft, other than the fact that he smoked pot.

Needless to say, I'd much rather have my All Pro TE dancing like a fool at clubs and taking pictures with porn stars than getting involved in situations like these.  Puts Gronk being Gronk into perspective.  Nothing he did was really that bad.

Yep that's not looking good.

[tim_m]

Things seem to be going bad to worse for Hernandez. New evidence came out that he destroyed his cellphone, Destroyed video surveillance of his home and had a cleaning crew come in earlier this week. Very very suspicious imo.