New England Patriots lucky Rob Gronkowski suspended only one game
The New England Patriots should consider themselves lucky that Rob Gronkowski was suspended only one game by the NFL.
The New England Patriots received some bad, but expected, news on Monday afternoon. The Patriots learned that tight end Rob Gronkowski would be suspended for one game because of the late hit he delivered to Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White.
White and Gronkowski got matched up a few times in the game Sunday afternoon. Gronkowski was his usual dominant self, catching nine passes for 147 yards. He was on the receiving end of more than half of Tom Brady‘s passing yards.
However, it wasn’t the cleanest game for Gronkowski. He was flagged four times total, including offensive pass interference, a false start and a holding call. The biggest penalty was the last one he was called for, an unnecessary roughness.
Gronkowski’s frustrations were growing throughout the game. Despite the excellent stat line, he felt he was being referred unfairly. He believed there were some missed calls, especially on the play that resulted in Brady’s interception.
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Gronkowski’s emotions got the best of him as he launched himself at an already downed White. As a result of the play, White was placed in the league’s concussion protocol.
Gronkowski issued an apology in the locker room after the game, but members of the Bills weren’t having it. Safety Micah Hyde was critical of Gronkowski, as was Bills head coach Sean McDermott and offensive lineman Richie Incognito.
Even Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was not happy with the hit, issuing an apology to the Bills. While Belichick does not agree with Gronkowski’s actions, he and the Patriots are lucky and probably happy that the suspension was only for one game.
Judging from the play, no one would have been surprised if Gronkowski was suspended more than one game. Some people have gone as far as to call the cheap shot assault, as it was in no way a football play. Gronkowski launched himself at a player already downed after the play and concussed him.
As a result, Gronkowski will be miss Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins. That is an important game, as the Patriots could wrap up the AFC East. The Dolphins are coming off an impressive victory over the Denver Broncos, but the Patriots should be able to handle the Dolphins even without Gronkowski. The Patriots have already handled business against the Dolphins once this season, defeating them in Week 12, 35-17.
What this also means is that Gronkowski will be back on the field in Week 15. In that week, the Patriots will travel to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in what will more than likely decide home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It is arguably the biggest game of the regular season and the Patriots will have Gronkowski back from suspension.
New England should consider themselves very lucky. The play was bad enough before White was concussed. That should have heightened the penalty as White was injured after the play for no reason other than Gronkowski being frustrated.
What probably saved Gronkowski was his relatively clean record. Gronkowski has never had an outburst like this and is a fan favorite. Had someone such as Vontaze Burfict or Ndamukong Suh done what Gronkowski did, their suspension would have lasted weeks at a minimum, if not months.
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The Patriots lucked out with that decision. Going to Pittsburgh to defeat the Steelers is difficult enough when at full strength. Doing it without Gronkowski would have been difficult, but it is not something the Patriots will need to worry about as Gronkowski will serve his one-game suspension this week against the Dolphins.