New England Patriots: Attitude adjustment starts with Rob Gronkowski

Following a humbling loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Rob Gronkowski and the New England Patriots look to bounce back against the New Orleans Saints.

There was something missing last Thursday night in the New England Patriots 42-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.  Besides execution and sixty minutes of football, that something was attitude.

According to tight end Rob Gronkowski, the frustrating loss was a “wakeup call” for the team and himself.  Like any leader on a football team, he took personal responsibility for not being ready for the season opener.

"“Just shows you’ve got to be ready every week, week-in and week-out,” Gronkowski said following the Week 1 loss, via WEEI.  “It just show that Week 1, you’ve got to be prepared, no matter what.  It’s the NFL – they’ve got good players, a good team.  You gotta be ready at all times, no matter who you’re facing, so it’s just a wakeup call, especially for myself.”"

Related Story: Tom Brady addresses team's urgency heading into Week 2

A need for more intensity

With just two catches for 33 yards, Gronkowski was quiet production wise and didn’t show that same intensity he usually shows in any football game he plays.  Without a high-intensity player like Julian Edelman not on the field, the All-Pro tight end needs to fill that void and he knows it.

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"“Just weren’t clicking,” Gronkowski continued.  “It starts with me.  Gotta get open more.  You’ve gotta get better separation.  Make some plays.  Get the offense rolling.  Just wasn’t going to happen.”"

Granted, Rob Gronkowski was covered by one of the best safeties in the game in the name of Eric Berry, but that hasn’t stopped him dominating games in the past.  He typically does it with the physical advantage he has over defenders and more so with his energy.

That energy seemed missing, which was perplexing for a player who missed the last part of last season and the team’s playoff run due to back surgery.

As optimistic and determined as he was to start OTA’s and preseason, a very quiet Rob Gronkowski was as unexpected as the team’s underperformance in that disastrous fourth quarter.

So, when players like Tom Brady, Nate Solder and Duron Harmon talk about the team’s need for an attitude adjustment, it starts with the most dominant tight end in the game.

Next: New England Patriots: 5 things we love about Rob Gronkowski

It starts with Rob Gronkowski.

Watch out New Orleans Saints.