Rob Gronkowski Suspended, Next Man Up For The Patriots At The Tight End Position

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The New England Patriots are preparing to take on the Miami Dolphins next week on Monday Night Football.  They will be without tight end Rob Gronkowski.  He has been suspended for hitting Tre’Davious White after White intercepted a pass from Tom Brady with 4:39 left in the game.  Gronkowski was penalized, but not ejected, even though he should have been.  

That was the right call for the NFL.  The hit came after the whistle.  The play was over.  According to ESPN, Vice Precedent of Football Operation Jon Runyan wrote to Gronkowski saying, "Your actions were not incidental, could have been avoided and placed the opposing player at risk of serious injury. The Competition Committee has clearly expressed its goal of 'eliminating flagrant hits that have no place in our game.'  Those hits include the play you were involved in yesterday,"

The NFL had to send a message to Gronkowski.  With him out, it hurts New England’s offense.  Brady looks for him because he creates so many mismatches.  His size and speed gives him an advantage.  Linebackers are too slow to keep up with him and safeties have a difficult time knocking the ball out of his hands.

The Patriots are now forced to replace his production.  Gronkowski has 849 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Dwayne Allen should see more playing time with Gronkowski out this weekend.  Allen’s size at 6 foot 3 inches allows Brady to look for him in the end zone because of his ability to out-jump the defensive backs in the end zone.

The downside with Allen is his speed.  He is not as fast as Gronkowski and won’t make defenders miss.  His catches will not be for long gains.

If Allen struggles, Jacob Hollister will see time as tight end.  He is a rookie and hasn’t seen the field that much this season.  Hollister has 3 catches for 37 yards - not a lot of production.

The Patriots will miss Gronkowski’s presence on the football field. Gronkowski’s actions were not acceptable, one game isn’t enough but at least he will sit.