The New York Jets inexplicably left tight end Rob Gronkowski wide open during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. It didn’t work out so well for the J-E-T-S.
Don’t expect the Miami Dolphins to make the same mistake Thursday night when they travel to Foxboro for a date with the undefeated Patriots. Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell knows what his team is getting into.
“What doesn’t?” Campbell said Monday when asked what impresses him about Gronkowski. “I mean the guy is an animal and he can do everything. You put him out there, and he’s a mismatch 1-on-1, route-running, big body, excellent hands. You put him in, he can block the point of attack. He can pass protect.
“I guess you could hand him the ball if you wanted to and have him run it as running back.”
Gronkowski might not pile up too many rushing yards Thursday, but he definitely creates a matchup problem regardless of the opponent. So, how do the Dolphins plan to slow the All-Pro tight end?
“Kind of like what we did with (Houston Texans defensive end) J.J. Watt last week — we put all five linemen on him,” Campbell joked. “We’ll probably put the whole secondary on (Gronkowski) and go from there.”
Bold move. It’s also probably a good one.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
