Tom Brady looked out of sorts Sunday against the Ravens and it could have been worse if he had lost one of his favorite targets, Rob Gronkowski, for the game (and possibly longer). The second-year tight end out of Arizona suffered a third-quarter ankle injury at the hands of Bernard Pollard (the same gent responsible for blowing up Brady's knee in Week 1 of the 2008 season). When he left the field for the locker room, Gronkowski had five receptions for 87 yards. He later returned but didn't register another catch.
Not to worry, though; according to the Boston Herald, Gronk will be good to go when the Patriots face the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI in two weeks. The source with direct knowledge of Gronkowski’s condition said simply, “He’ll be ready to go," writes the Herald's Ian Rapoport.
We've joked previously that hard hits don't bother Gronkowski, instead he feeds off them and grows stronger. Apparently, Pollard is New England's kryptonite. Whatever the medical coincidences involved (fictional or otherwise), it sounds like Brady will have his full assortment of weapons in Indianapolis: Gronk, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker.
Perhaps the biggest question mark: Chad Ochocinco, who reportedly traveled to Florida for his father's funeral last weekend and was inactive Sunday. He's managed just 15 catches and a lone touchdown this season, and was on the field for a grand total of one play against the Broncos in the AFC Divisional round.
Clearly, New England can win without him, but the Patriots didn't bring him to town to sit on the bench. He's a Pro Bowler with big-play potential. We just don't know if he's seen his last big play.
