Rob Gronkowski may not be the same player this season

By: Michael Tellier

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has proven in the past to be one of the most effective offensive weapons for the Patriots.  But, will he be the same dominant player this coming season that he has been in the past?

Since last November, Gronkowski has had four surgeries on his left forearm which he broke twice during the course of last season.  And now According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, he will be undergoing back surgery in mid-June, which will most likely keep him sidelined for part of the Patriots training camp.  So in my opinion, I think that Gronkowski may have a pretty good year, but I don’t think he will be the player he was before.

I’m not saying that the guy’s career is over, but I do think that something like a back injury is nothing to take lightly.  Not to mention the continuous problems he has had with his forearm.   The fact that this isn’t Gronkowski’s first back operation has also lifted some eyebrows as well.  In 2009 he missed the entire season at the University of Arizona because of a disc issue that he needed to have surgery on.

I have always thought of Gronkowski as an aggressive player who’s throws good blocks and isn’t afraid to take a big hit just to gain a few more yards for his team.  These are great qualities to have in a player, but will the Patriots choose to be more cautious with him this season? It wouldn’t surprise me. In fact I think it would be smart, because even a Gronkowski that is at 50 or 60 percent is better than not having him at all, which is what may happen if they decide to go crazy with him, and not let him heal properly.