A Matchup Nightmare

In the 2^nd round, with the 42^nd overall pick, the New England Patriots selected TE Rob Gronkowski out of Arizona State. Gronkowski plagued by injury his throughout his college career, dropped into the 2^nd round of the NFL draft due to back surgery.

As bad as this may sound, the Patriots should be thankful he was injured. This 6’6, 265lb beast at tight end has almost single handedly lead quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots to Super Bowl 46.  Every team that let him drop that far in the draft has been haunted every time he touches the ball, ask the Washington Redskins.

Gronkowski defined going into “Beast Mode.” He had 6 receptions for 160 yards and 2 touch downs. Most notably, he turned an easy 10 yard out route into a bulldozing 49 yard reception. In doing so he posturized multiple Washington defenders, making them look like they hadn’t ever made a tackle. Click on this link to witness for yourself. "Gronk Goes Beast Mode"

For the Patriots sake, they better hope Gronkowski is healthy enough to do the same against the New York Giants this Sunday. Even though Brady has other weapons, 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 17 touch downs might let the Giants know who Brady trusts most. If Gronkowski is out, this Super Bowl is sure to be closer than expected.

Considering the Giants have one of the most threatening defensive lines in the NFL and Brady might be “Gronkless”, we might be viewing a whole different ball game. No team can replace a player like him. After seeing him play, it seems most teams can not cover a 6’6, 265lb target like him either.

New England’s head coach Bill Belichick might want to figure out a new red zone offense if Gronkowski is unable to play Sunday. With his speed, strength, height, and incredible ability to snatch the ball away from his body, Gronkowski has proven to be a sure thing. Considering he has a “bad wheel”, only game time will tell how big of a threat he will continue to be.

High ankle sprain history has shown to be detrimental for any player, even a guy like “Gronk.” For the love of wanting to watch the most competitive game of all, on the biggest stage of all, I hope Gronkowski plays in the Super Bowl. I want to see the best against the best and Gronkowski has already proven to be one of the best.

Tebowed

Pittsburgh- On January 8, 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost in overtime to the Denver Broncos 23 to 29. This game was predicted to be a secure win for the Steelers. Instead, the Steelers fell victim to the Broncos stout defense and ended up being "Tebowed”. Or were they "Tebowed"?

The only ones who "Tebowed" the Steelers, were the Steelers themselves. Obviously, Tim Tebow is a work in progress. Tebow has shown sparks and flashes throughout his short career, as a great running back. Those who think Tebow was the reason the Broncos won the game, should of watched more closely.

Tebow completed 10-21 passes for a total of 316 yards and 2 touch downs. Tebow put 7 on the board with one flawless back shoulder pass to wide receiver Eddie Royal. His other 9 completions were complete "ducks". His completions were to unchallenged wide open wide receivers. Excluding the Royal touchdown, Tebow had no reason not to complete the rest of his passes. The Steelers not only gave him a thirty minute lunch break in the pocket, they left him wide open looks all game. The defense gave him looks that a rookie quarterback could have completed.

The Denver quarterback and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas practically played pitch and catch up and down the grid iron. Thomas alone contributed 4 receptions for two hundred and four yards and 1 touch down. It looked like Ike Taylor’s first ever football game. Thomas destroyed the coverage and simply posturized Taylor.

However, Tebow proved a couple things during this game. He throws one of the most erratic passes that any viewer has ever seen. Also, when using his feet, he might possibly have one of the best noses for the end zone that any viewer has ever seen. When he takes off, the defense needs to be ready to tie his shoelaces together. Tebow doesn’t go down easy and he seems to always break the goal line.

With no respect to Tebow's rising capabilities, the Steelers simply beat themselves. The Broncos not only won physically, they won mentally as well. Every time the Steelers played the pass, the Broncos ran. When the Broncos set up to pass, the Steelers set up to defend the run.

Overall, any sports fan with a slight interest couldn’t ask for a more exciting game. It was the AFC wild card game, involving the six time Super Bowl Champion Steelers, against the evolving Broncos led by the miraculous Tim Tebow. These types of games keep the viewer tuning in for more.

 

5 Deep

PITTSBURGH – The 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers entered the season with possibly the best five receivers that the team has ever had. This receiving corps is arguably the best since Lynn Swann and John Stallworth from the 1970s. If not considered the best, they have many years left to prove otherwise.

Obviously, the number one wide receiver is “Catch Me If You Can” Mike Wallace. This third year pro out of Ole Miss has literally sped right past our expectations. This dynamic playmaker could possibly be the fastest receiver in the league. Countless times Wallace has proven he can blow the top off the coverage. This young man’s talents will keep the opposing defense honest for years to come.

Second year wide receiver “Downtown” Antonio Brown has solidified the number two spot. What a breakout year this young man has had. Brown can shake and bake his way to the end zone on punt and kick returns, and he has become a legitimate receiving threat too. One slip up by the opposing team and Brown is capable of putting six points on the board. His ability to run after the catch and go over the middle sets him apart from most receivers in the game today.

Due to their sticky hands, red zone capabilities and blazing speed, wide out Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller are tied for my number three spot. There was no possible way to put one of these men before the other.

Let me explain exactly why. Every quarterback simply needs a go to guy.

Ben Roethlisberger has two go to guys. Miller alone has given the Steelers 193 career receiving first downs. Ward has accompanied the Steelers with 618 career receiving first downs.

Deciding who was in the number four slot was difficult. Due to being younger and hopefully having a brighter future, the number four slot goes to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. When healthy, Sanders has game changing ability that an NFL team looks for. Whether the ball is kicked to him or thrown to him he will keep the opposing defense on their toes. If Sanders can stay healthy, he is sure to leave the Steelers with one of the most threatening receiving corps for years to come.

My final spot goes to wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Cotchery has showed the ability to step in when his number is called. If not for being injury prone and competing with the likes of Wallace, Brown, Miller, Ward, and Sanders, Cotchery would be higher on the depth chart.

That being said, an opposing team should give their defense a good night’s rest when playing the Steelers. Once one of these playmakers gets their hands on the ball it’s off to the races. These six men have proved to keep opposing defenses honest. Week in and week out they prove to us all why the NFL is now a passing league.