Rob Gronkowski has earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors on the strength of his mammoth performance in Sunday's win against the Washington Redskins. No word yet on whether or not he spiked the trophy.
Gronkowski has set himself apart from all the other tight ends in the NFL this season, as his two touchdowns on Sunday broke the record (13 by Vernon Davis and Antonio Gates) for most receiving TDs by a tight end in a single season (Gronk now has 15 with three games left). He caught six passes for 160 yards overall.
More impressive than his two touchdown receptions, Gronkowski wowed us all with his galloping, physics defying scamper on the play before his first touchdown. Gronkowski dove to catch an errant pass from Tom Brady and went to the ground without being touched. Shortly after getting to his feet, he was wrapped up by Dejon Gomes and Reed Doughty, who he dragged a few yards before breaking free and tip toeing down the sidelines. Josh Wilson dove at his legs only to watch as he tightroped the sidelines once again before losing steam inside the Redskins red zone. It was a remarkable higlight reel play that Patriots fans won't forget anytime soon.
Bill Belichick gushed over Gronk after the game. Well actually he was just himself, saying, "that play was right in front of us. He did a great job there, getting the ball off the ground, breaking a couple tackles, staying in bounds-he had almost no room to work with on the sideline. ... He's a tough guy to cover, a tough guy to match up on."
The matchup problems that Gronkowski creates is precisely why he is so dangerous, as he can get open against slow-footed linebackers and rise up to make plays in the air against smaller defensive backs. Gronkowski is clearly the most effective and dependable target for Brady with the possible exception of Wes Welker and he is as important as any player on the Patriots come playoff time.
Also happening today in Patriots world: cornerback Sterling Moore was resigned to the practice squad which means he'll probably be starting on Sunday in Denver.
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