BY NICK ST. DENIS
Rob Gronkowski is glad to have the New England Patriots, and the New England Patriots are glad to have Rob Gronkowski.
Gronk, the Patriots' oft-injured but All-World tight end, hauled in nine receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown Sunday in a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"When we're clicking, we're clicking and it's awesome," Gronkowski said after the game, via Patriots.com. "We've just got to keep working hard, keep improving, and keep doing things like that. It takes a lot of work. Overall, together as an offense, it was a great team win."
That it was.
New England went 5-for-8 in the red zone and 7-for 12 on third down, as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes -- two to rookie Aarron Dobson and another to Danny Amendola -- and the offense amassed 610 yards.
Stevan Ridley added two scores, and LeGarrette Blount pitched in with one, as the rushing attack spanned nearly 200 yards of ground on its own.
"We were out there in a rhythm, but there's a lot to improve on," Gronkowski said, noting his personal well-being. "We can get better as a whole. It felt good getting more games under me and I'm feeling good. [I'm getting] better every week."
The Patriots have a free week to get even better, as they're now on a bye before facing the Carolina Panthers on Monday, Nov. 18.
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