It’s Gronk’s world, and we’re all just along for the ride.
For all the talk of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and deflated balls, New England’s chances of dethroning the defending champion Seattle Seahawks depend more on beastly tight end Rob than anyone else. The hulking Gronkowski is a cult hero in New England and elsewhere, whether it’s rolling over defenders like skittles, hanging out with cats or inspiring erotic fiction, Gronk is box office.
He’s also the most dynamic offensive weapon in the NFL, capable of blocking in the run game but much more dangerous on routes down the seams, either as a reliable target for Brady or as a decoy to help deliver that extra second of space for a receiving corps that struggles to get separation. Brady and Gronkowski have connected for 14 touchdowns (or Gronk Smashes, to use the correct term) in 17 games this season, and his battle with the feared Seattle secondary will be one of the major flashpoints of Super Bowl 49.
(And yes, we could spend the entire day searching for Gronk vines).
2. Tom Brady
Brady’s image as the Golden Boy of the NFL has taken quite the hit since it was revealed the New England Patriots’ game balls had been deflated during their AFC title game win over Indianapolis, with many finding his denials of any involvement or knowledge of the incident anything but believeable. Nonetheless, Brady didn’t get to six Super Bowls because his balls were deflated and the 37-year-old is still capable of an-MVP level performance on any given week if he is given the opportunity to plot the dissection of even the league’s top defence.
Brady’s main vulnerability is against teams that can get pressure up the middle, something Seattle will hope to do with the versatile Michael Bennett, so the fitness of rookie centre Brian Stork, who missed the AFC title game with a knee injury but is back at practice, will be a key factor in the solidity of the Pats’ offensive line.
3. Darrelle Revis
Revis has seen his mantle as the best cornerback in the league usurped by Seattle’s Richard Sherman but the former New York Jet remains an elite shutdown defender. Both have been thrown at less than five times per game this year as offences look for more favourable match-ups and less than half of pass attempts in their direction have been completed. And, unlike Sherman, Revis has traditionally shadowed the opposition’s No.1 wideout, while Sherman instead stays on one side of the field, regardless of who is lined up against him.
Seattle’s lack of an obvious No.1 receiver (Doug Baldwin led the team with 825) makes Revis less of a defensive weapon, but expect him to try to make some big plays to remind everyone of his place alongside Sherman in the CB rankings.
4. LeGarrette Blount
Of Seattle’s four defeats this season, one was the result of trick plays (St Louis), but between them, the other three provided the template for beating the Seahawks. Of the three, Dallas’s Week 6 win in Seattle was the most convincing, and was built on dominating the time of possession with a successful rushing attack.
LeGarrette Blount is no DeMarco Murray and has a chequered past, but being in Boston seems to agree with him. Since New England picked him up following his November release by Pittsburgh, Blount has been a highly effective cog in the Patriots machine, rushing for 149 yards and three touchdowns against the Colts last time out.
5. Jamie Collins
The second-year linebacker may not be well known yet, but has shown himself to be a future star of the NFL. Collins has the strength to shed blocks in the run game, amassing well over 100 tackles this season, but also the pace to get after the quarterback and the acceleration to stay with slot receivers and tight ends in coverage. His versatility is a huge strength of the Patriots defence, allowing coaches to disguise blitzes and coverages with opposing offences never quite sure where he will be on a given play.
We also had a look at the five players to keep an eye on for Seattle. You can check that out here.
