Rob Gronkowski Says He Won’t Change Style Of Play

In his first few years in the league, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has torn it up in the receiving game; he’s set multiple records in the receiving game, including being the first tight end to lead the league in touchdown receptions in 2012, with 17.

But while Gronk has eight touchdowns and over 800 receiving yards this year, he’s also racked up four offensive pass interference penalties, the most of any player. Despite getting flagged for a team-high seven penalties this year, the big tight end says he won’t change his game.

“I’m not sure what it is,” Gronk said Thursday. “I’m just going to keep playing how I’ve been playing, how I go out in practice and transition it to the game.”

And Gronkowski will become even more important to the Patriots offense than he was before. With the foot injury of Julian Edelman in the Patriots’ game against the New York Giants Nov. 15, Gronk must step up as the primary target for quarterback Tom Brady.

Not that this bothers anyone; by all objective measures, Gronkowski is one of, if not the best, tight ends in the league. Only Tyler Eifert of the Cincinnati Bengals has more touchdowns than the fifth year Patriots star.

And Gronkowski is not just a receiving threat; players and coaches alike rave about his blocking. He’s had to stay in more and block due to offensive line issues and not had much of a chance to put up crazy stats.

But with the offensive line getting healthy again, and Brady’s top target out, look for Gronk to have a big game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, Nov. 23.