FOXBORO, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski isn’t going to tone down his physicality just because he leads the NFL in offensive pass interference penalties.
The Patriots tight end has been flagged four times for 39 yards this season, but he doesn’t think he needs to play differently to prevent the penalties.
“No, I’m not doing anything wrong,” Gronkowski said. “I’m playing football.”
There are 11 receivers who have been called for pass interference twice, but Gronkowski is the only NFL player to have been flagged for the penalty more than three times.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m not changing my style,” Gronkowski said.
Gronkowski does seem to be targeted either because of his size or production. What’s considered a push off for Gronkowski many times isn’t for the opposing defense.
“I’m not sure what it is,” Gronkowski said. “I’m just going to keep playing how I’ve been playing, how I go out and practice and try and transition it to the games. ”
Gronkowski sometimes will ask for clarification from an official after being flagged.
“It depends what it is,” Gronkowski said. “I just like to hear the explanation and just try and work from that and make sure I don’t do it again.”
Here are Gronkowski’s four offensive pass interference penalties this season:
— It appears Gronkowski made contact within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, which wouldn’t be a penalty. If he made contact after 5 yards, it would be illegal contact. This isn’t pass interference, since he’s not longer making contact while the ball is in the air.
— It appears Gronkowski’s contact came within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, and there was no contact while the ball was in the air. This shouldn’t have been a penalty.
And here is a play, pointed out by Pats Pulpit’s Rich Hill, where Gronkowski absolutely should have drawn holding or illegal contact and didn’t.
The Patriots are winning despite the offensive pass interference calls, so there might not be a reason for Gronkowski to change his style of play.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports Images
