Gronk’s A Go

After months of sweating it out and anxiously awaiting some definitive news as to the status of Tight End Rob Gronkowski for week one of the regular season, Patriots' fans got some great news yesterday.

All of Patriots' Nation took a collective sigh of relief when news broke on the team's website that the dynamic play maker had been cleared to play Sunday when New England battles division rival Miami at one o'clock.

Gronk had been slowly brought along and seen minimal action this preseason while recovering from a torn ACL. He saw zero action in the four preseason games the team played and saw very scarce time in limited contact team drills.

While fans were begging to see more action, and I'm sure he was begging for more opportunities himself, the team really monitored his progression quite closely. You can't blame them either because they've invested a great deal in the 25-year-old player and have seen him unfortunately battle a slew of significant injuries over the past few seasons. One thing any good businessman or group of businessmen know is you must protect your investment! It seems as though the Pats' reluctance to push him has paid off though, as he is now ready to go for the games that really matter.

Getting a guy like Gronk healthy and on the field is a great way for New England to start the season. What most people understand is that Gronk is capable of making tremendous plays and being a true factor when the ball is in his hands. What often goes overlooked though is how important he is to the success of everyone else on the field.

With number 87 out there the field is opened up for New England's other skill players to really shine. Based on his previous success and natural abilities, even if he is not 100 percent, opponents have to be aware of where he is on the field and how they will cover him. That simple fact will allow some of the lesser know guys on New England's roster to have the opportunity to make plays and become effective options for Tom Brady.

So, while he might not be in on every offensive play and might not be the best version of Rob Gronkowski that New England fans have come to know, this Sunday his presence alone will alter how the Patriots' offense will operate. I look forward to a real exciting offensive attack from the Pats this week and this season if Gronk can stay healthy and on the field.