Gronkowski Not Worried About Low Hits, Ready To Dish Out Contact Vs. Broncos
BOSTON (CBS) -- There's been a whole lot of chatter from the Denver Broncos in regards to defending Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the AFC Championship Game this weekend.
They know that it usually takes more than one player to bring him down, so expect a stampede to head his way after every reception. Even then it's no guarantee the 6'6", 265-pound behemoth won't drag a handful of defenders a few more yards before finally hitting the turf.
A defense's best bet is to go low, gunning for Gronk's knees, and hope for the best. The Broncos also know this, and have said as much this week. It may sound like they're are out to injure New England's All Pro, and after seeing him get carted off Sports Authority Field in Week 12 following a low hit it remains one of the biggest fears among the Patriots and their fans.
But Gronkowski said Thursday these low hits are just part of football. This approach against him is nothing new, and he'll be ready for them come Sunday afternoon.
"[I've] been seeing it all year and my whole career. I just have to get low and get my shoulder down, protect the ball, protect myself in any way when I see a lot of guys coming," Gronkowski told reporters at Gillette Stadium. "You just have to watch out. It's football and you have to be ready for contact at all times.
"They're not doing anything illegal out there," he added. "I just have to be aware of it and maybe step up my game a little bit. Maybe throw a juke – I don't know how many jukes I've got. I just have to be aware of it."
Gronk was singing a different tune on social media the other day, poking fun at the Broncos' "low blows" in hopes of getting a few laughs. It worked, as Patriots fans took the double entendre and had some fun of their own.
He may be one of Tom Brady's biggest targets on the field, but he's also a pretty big goof off of it. The tight end said his tweet was just that: "Just fun and games."
And just like the Broncos defense is ready to dish out some big hits on Gronkowski, he's ready to give a few right back.
"Everyone wants to see collisions," he said with a smirk. "I'm ready to give some."
Tune in to Sunday's Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship game on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV -- the flagship stations of the New England Patriots. Pregame coverage begins on 98.5FM at noon with Patriots Preview, following by three hours of postgame coverage after the game. WBZ-TV's coverage begins at noon with a two-hour edition of Patriots GameDay, with Patriots 5th Quarter being simulcast on WBZ-TV and myTV38 following the game.