FOXBORO, Mass. — Reporters gathered around the Gillette Stadium practice fields Monday were afforded their first glimpse this summer of big No. 87.
After missing the first four organized team activity/minicamp sessions that were open to the media, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was back on the field for the team’s final day of open OTAs.
Gronkowski was not a full participant in the practice, as he remained on the sideline during full-speed team drills. He did, however, take part in individual drills, unopposed run-throughs and half-speed 11-on-11s.
“I felt great,” he said after the session. “It’s always good to be out there with your teammates, working with your teammates, individual drills, team drills. Just being out there, getting on the same page and going on the flow with them, it’s always good to get that back out on the field.”
For pass-catchers like Gronkowski, the most important teammate to be on the same page with is the quarterback. He ran routes for both Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo on Monday.
“The biggest value is consistency,” Gronkowski said. “Going out there and making sure you’re still on the same page. You don’t want to lose it. You want to keep on getting gains. You want to improve. You go out there and make sure you knock all the rust out, we’re always on the same page and just don’t lose it. Keep going out, working hard and getting better.
Gronkowski went on to say his previous absences were not injury-related, contrary to multiple reports that the team was being cautious as he nursed a minor ailment.
“I was just doing other things, as Coach (Bill Belichick) said last week, so everything’s good,” Gronkowski said. “We were just working on other things, so everything’s all smooth. Everything’s good.”
Patriots OTAs finish up Thursday and will be followed by a six-week break before the team begins training camp July 27. Gronkowski, who’s missed just two total games over the last two seasons, plans to use that time to work his 6-foot-6, 265-pound body into the best shape possible.
“Just try to be in the best physical condition and shape I can be strength-wise heading into camp,” he said. “You want to be in shape going into camp and be ready to go. Just working out, get your body right so when camp comes, you’re football ready and you’re ready to roll.”
Thumbnail photo via Michaela Vernava/NESN.com
