Patriots Gridiron News 11/3: Rob Gronkowski Talks Bye Week and Jamie Collins

New England Patriots record-setting tight end Rob Gronkowski is ready for some rest, warm weather and fun as the team enters the bye week.

The Patriots are 7-1 and entering their bye week at a pretty good time. Speaking to the media Wednesday, tight end Rob Gronkowski talked about his plans for the bye week and of course answered questions about the Jamie Collins trade.

After setting the team’s all-time touchdown record by surpassing the great Stanley Morgan, Gronkowski says he is looking to lay low and have a little fun while enjoying a little down time. He also emphasized the importance of getting rest both physically and mentally.

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"“Super important,” he said when asked about getting rest. “The season is a long season, 16 weeks, with the bye week so 17 weeks total. Couldn’t have asked for a better bye right halfway through the season — eight weeks. Just get your body rested up. Get away for a little bit so when you come back it feels like you’ve been gone from football for a while and you’re super refreshed to get back.”"

When it came to Jamie Collins, Gronkowski didn’t offer much except that the former Patriots linebacker was a value to him in practice can how he made him a better player. As for the trade itself, Gronk didn’t offer an opinion either way.

"“He’s a great player and a great guy to always go against in practice,” Gronk said of Collins. “You always got better going against a guy like Jamie Collins … but [the trade]’s the coach’s decision, so all questions with that will have to go through coach Belichick.”"

The after effects of the stunning trade is another reason the bye week comes at an opportune time for the Patriots.

A new tight end in town: As Patriots.com reports Wednesday, the Patriots have added a third tight end to the 53-man roster with the addition of Matt Lengel.

The 25-year-old tight end was signed from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. He entered the NFL as a rookie free agent out of Eastern Kentucky in May of 2015. At 6-foot-7, 266 pounds, Lengel has yet to play an NFL game, but that may all change when the Patriots host the Seattle Seahawks a week from Sunday.

Chris Hogan: The lone player missing from practice Wednesday was wide receiver Chris Hogan. Per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Hogan is dealing with an illness that is not considered serious.

Luckily Hogan will have over a week to get over the illness as the Patriots enter their bye week. Tom Brady’s new weapon has a great game against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday. He scored a touchdown on a 53-yard bomb from Brady.

Next: Boston Bruins Send Forward Danton Heinen To Providence

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