Bill Belichick Ready to Play Without Rob Gronkowski

The New England Patriots will be just fine without Rob Gronkowski!

New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski is now out for the season. So many no longer look at the Patriots as the favorites to win the AFC. But if the Patriots were your favorites  before the injury to the mercurial tight end, they should still be.

Bill Belichick is the most prepared head coach in the history of the NFL. He already had his Patriots prepared for the absence of Gronkowski. He’s known for completely changing is game plan every week, based on who he has and the other team.

Belichick knows that Gronkowski has been susceptible to injuries, especially lately. His injury history is why he went in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft instead of the first. Gronkowski has only played in all 16 games twice in his seven years in the NFL.

Knowing he needed a backup plan at tight end, Belichick traded for Martellus Bennett last offseason. If Gronkowski stays healthy, the Patriots go double-tights like they did with Aaron Hernandez. If he doesn’t, Bennett is ready to take Gronkowski’s place.

Bennett isn’t quite the vertical weapon Gronkowski is but again, Belichick changes game plans. He will play to Bennett’s strengths and the offense will still be effective. Quarterback Tom Brady is the king of the “death by papercuts” offense anyway.

As an Oakland Raiders fan, I surely don’t trust that the Patriots are anything less now.