New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski isn’t letting the Jalen Ramsey trash talk get to him ahead of the Week 2 big matchup against the Jaguars.
Poke the beast and you may just get eaten alive. That is exactly what Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey is doing in his attempt to get into the head of Rob Gronkowski and the New England Patriots.
In an interview with ESPN prior to the regular season, the talented young defensive back said Gronkowski wasn’t all that great, especially when he is covered by a cornerback.
Those comments of course caught the attention of Patriots fans and national NFL pundits. But, did the comments catch the attention of one of the greatest tight ends to ever step on the football field?
Well, duh!
Just like how the Patriots always handle trash talk from opposing teams and players, Gronkowski’s response is to handle it on the field and not respond to Ramsey’s shots directly. After all, the Jaguars up-and-coming star has the right to his opinions.
"“I mean, if that’s how he feels, that’s how he feels,” Gronkowski said in response to the comments. “It’s a big game this Sunday, we’re playing them. I’m sure I’m going to have opportunities to go versus him. I’m sure he’s going to have opportunities to go versus me. I’m just preparing like I always prepare. I’ve got to just do my job out on the field, just worry about that.”"
With Tom Brady at quarterback, you better believe the New England Patriots offense will target Jalen Ramsey and that may be exactly what he is asking for. However, do he really want to go up against an offensive playmaker like Gronkowski? Better yet, is he ready to go up against a motivated Rob Gronkowski?
If the game itself has not already motivated the All-Pro tight end, the trash talk will have him extra pumped up even if he doesn’t want to admit it.
"“There’s always motivation you’re looking for,” Gronkowski said on whether trash talk motivates him. “It does and it doesn’t. So, that’s tricky right there – doesn’t give you the answer you’re looking for. That was a trick question – you were trying to get me to say something right? But, it does and it doesn’t, you know what I mean? Because it motivates you to hear that.”"
Coming off a game in which he caught seven passes for over 100 yards and a touchdown, Rob Gronkowski looks committed and in top form coming into the game. During the AFC title game, he was knocked out in the first half with a concussion. Therefore Mr. Jalen Ramsey didn’t get to see firsthand how dominant he could be on the field.
Perhaps he didn’t see what Gronkowski did to the entire Pittsburgh Steelers secondary in Week 15 last season or perhaps he is just that confident in his own ability. Whatever the case, better believe Rob Gronkowski will do his own trash talk on the field.
So, what about Jacob Hollister?
After a very strong training camp and preseason, second-year New England Patriots tight end Jacob Hollister will likely have an increased role whenever he gets back on the field.
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Hollister, who was inactive in the Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans, has been limited in practice due to a hamstring injury. While his status against the Jaguars probably won’t be known till game day, it would be nice to have another tight end option in the passing game considering the attention Rob Gronkowski will draw.
While the injury has obviously slowed the strides Hollister was making in the passing game, he is ready mentally to step in and be more of a factor this season with the Patriots.
In summary, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end isn’t feeling any extra pressure coming into the 2017 NFL season (once he gets on the field).
"“I wouldn’t say there’s any added pressure at all,” Hollister told the media prior to Week 1, as transcribed by NESN. “We’ve constantly had a team mentality of doing your job and being ready when your name’s called, so I’m really just ready to do whatever the team asks of me. And that’s been the past year and a half.”"
The young tight end has seemingly gained some trust from Tom Brady, so it would be no surprise (if active) to see Jacob Hollister catch a couple big passes against Jacksonville on Sunday. With the lack of wide receiver depth, Brady will be searching for other options.
Rex Burkhead in concussion protocol
Suddenly the team’s deepest position entering the season is one of its weakest. Just days after placing running back Jeremy Hill on injured reserve with a torn right ACL, the New England Patriots are now in jeopardy of losing another running back for an extended period of time.
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, versatile running back Rex Burkhead missed practice Wednesday and is now in concussion protocol. That now makes his availability for Sunday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars highly in doubt.
That is not the kind of news the team needed at this point and will put even more emphasis on the status of rookie running back Sony Michel. The first-round pick out of the University of Georgia has yet to see the field in live action but is doing everything he can to prepare himself when called upon.
If the team is without both Burkhead and Michel, they will enter Sunday’s game with James White and recently signed Kenjon Barner as their running backs. The New England Patriots could also promote either undrafted rookie Ralph Webb or Kenneth Farrow from the practice squad to provide depth.
Hopefully, either Rex Burkhead or Sony Michel will be able to go versus a stout Jacksonville defense. Both players can catch the ball out of the backfield and would keep the Jags off balance as they are able to both serve as lead backs with the ability to catch the ball in the open field.