At least to Bill Belichick.
With the way the Patriots have occasionally blown fourth-quarter leads this season, it's understandable the New England head coach wants to stay on the gas pedal and put teams away. (photo: WBUR, Flickr)
52-24 is a pretty substantial lead midway through the fourth quarter with possession, but New England opted to leave its starting offense on the field to drive for one more score.
But is it really necessary to have Rob Gronkowski in to block for an extra point, let alone in on any late-game offensive play, up 24 points, especially with him already being banged up prior to the game? That's debatable. But to do so can come with a price, and it did in New England's 59-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Gronkowski reportedly broke his forearm during the Patriots' last extra point, and he'll miss four to eight weeks nursing it. That has him back somewhere between the end of the regular season and the AFC Championship game.
"I don’t think there are any quicker ways to lose a game than getting a kick blocked and run back for a touchdown," Patriots coach Bills Belichick told reporters Monday about why he kept Gronk in on special teams Sunday. "... It’s an important job."
Important job? So is being the best tight end in football. And last I checked, teams can't run back blocked extra points.
New England will get fellow starting tight end Aaron Hernandez back this week, and Visanthe Shiancoe and Daniel Fells can split other tight end duties, but Gronkowski is not a guy who can be replaced.
Belichick has a history of stepping on opponents' throats and running up the score, and that's fine. The other team gets paid too. But just don't say you didn't ask for it when you lose one of your best players in an incredibly critical part of the season because your ego got in the way.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
New England will get fellow starting tight end Aaron Hernandez back this week, and Visanthe Shiancoe and Daniel Fells can split other tight end duties, but Gronkowski is not a guy who can be replaced.
Belichick has a history of stepping on opponents' throats and running up the score, and that's fine. The other team gets paid too. But just don't say you didn't ask for it when you lose one of your best players in an incredibly critical part of the season because your ego got in the way.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
