Changes looming in New England?

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CGI_Ram

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This article caught my eye.

Yes, we’ve heard these rumblings with Gronk since the end of the Super Bowl... But are we at the “end of the Patriots as we know them”?

Gronk seems to be pointing out the divide hasn’t subsided.

Amendola has left.

Brady, IMO, seemed to show some cracks in his game over the final third of the 2017 season. Turning 41, how much longer does he really have? And... this article is the first I’ve seen where Brady himself seems to be waffling on that.

Rumors of growing differences between ownership and Belichick.

The Patriots have two first round selections. Are they in play for one of the top QB’s?

There is smoke with this team right now... just not sure what it all means.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-with-belichick-has-one-condition-for-return/

Rob Gronkowski reportedly frustrated with Belichick, has one condition for return

It's been nearly two months since New England's season ended in Super Bowl LII and we still have no idea if Rob Gronkowski is going to play in 2018. However, as things stand now, it seems that the Patriots tight end is leaning toward returning, but with one condition.

According to ESPN.com, Gronkowski is 'pretty certain' he's going to return in 2018, but here's the catch: He's only willing to play for as long as Tom Bradyremains with the team. The report does also note that Gronk hasn't actually made a final decision about what he's going to do.

The fact that Brady is being tied to Gronk's decision tells you all you need to know about what's going on in New England right now. Things seem to be in slight disarray and everyone is being coy about their future, including Brady.

Although Brady has said that he's going to play at least one more year, who knows what will happen after that. The Patriots quarterback has said he wants to play until he's 45, but he's softened his stance on that over the past few months.

During an interview for the final scene of his Facebook documentary, Brady seemed to suggest that he might not be planning to play much longer. Will Brinson went over the interview last month (and you can read that by clicking here), but the biggest takeaway is that it's not very clear whether or not Brady is still happy doing what he's doing, which could lead him to call it quits well before he turns 45.

Back in January, it was reported that there was some serious tensionbetween Brady and Bill Belichick, but those aren't the only two people with issues in the Patriots organization. According to ESPN.com, Gronk is also having his own issues with Belichick. Apparently, by the time the 2017 season ended, Gronk was mentally worn down by "The Patriot Way," which is one reason why he started contemplating retirement.

Remember, the Gronk retirement news kind of came out of nowhere at the Super Bowl when the tight end shocked everyone by casually admitting that he had actually been contemplating retirement for weeks.

"I don't know how you heard that, but I mean I'm definitely going to look at my future, for sure," Gronkowski said after the Patriots' 41-33 loss to the Eagles. "I'm going to sit down in the next couple of weeks and see where I'm at."

Instead of a "couple of weeks," Gronk has now taken a couple of months. As a matter of fact, the only time Gronk has been asked about retirement this entire offseason came on St. Patrick's when he accidentally showed up at my bachelor party dressed as a leprechaun and said he was going to play for the "69ers," which didn't really help answer the retirement question.

Besides being mentally worn down, Gronk has also been dealing with some serious injuries, including a concussion that nearly kept him out of the Super Bowl.

One other thing possibly holding Gronk back from returning is the nature of his relationship with Belichick. Not only is Gronk feeling some mental fatigue, but the reverse also seems to be true. According to ESPN, Belichick has been frustrated with Gronk because he's not sure whether his tight end is "all-in" when it comes to football. ESPN also noted that Belichick wasn't thrilled when he became aware of Gronk's social media post to Danny Amendola after the receiver signed with the Dolphins.

In a picture posted to Instagram, Gronk wrote, "It was a honor playing with ya the past 5 years, Danny Amendola. Thanks for all the hugs and memories! Stay lit, Be FREE, Be HAPPY."

The thing that irked Belichick is that, apparently, it wasn't a coincidence that Gronk decided to capitalize FREE and HAPPY in his caption. The feeling around Boston was that Gronk was taking a shot at the Patriots and Brady played along, because he "liked" the picture on Instagram.

When you start getting upset about someone's social media posts, that's usually a good sign that maybe it's time to break up, and now, I'm not even sure if I'm talking about actual relationships or Belichick and Gronk.

Of course, if Gronk returns to the Patriots and proves to Belichick that he's fully committed to football, then the two men will likely be able to bury the hatchet. On the other hand, if Gronk wants to keep playing, but not in New England, that could open the door for a trade, which could be highly beneficial for both sides.

The Patriots would lose a disgruntled star, but they would likely be able to land some huge draft capital in return. Speaking of the draft, Gronk is probably going to have to figure out whether or not he's going to retire by then and that's because his decision will likely figure heavily into New England's draft plans.

If Gronk doesn't return, he'll have a lot of options on the table. Not only are Sylvester Stallone and the Rock trying to convince him to be an actor, but several wrestlers are also trying to convince him to join WWE. The tight end also has a role in an upcoming Mel Gibson movie.
 

dieterbrock

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How far up does Gronk, #23 and #31 get? Throw in a 2nd for next year, can they get Cleveland's #4?

Edit, I forgot they have #43

Gronk #23, #31 & #43?
 
Last edited:

LesBaker

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Rumors of growing differences between ownership and Belichick.

The Patriots have two first round selections. Are they in play for one of the top QB’s?

I think that may be a part of the "growing differences", meaning someone wants to make a move and grab the new franchise QB and someone wants to stick with Brady and add players to make a run for the next 2-3 years to see if they can add another title.

I also suspect that Kraft doesn't like Belichick and Brady getting all the attention and may feel like he deserves credit for this amazing run.
 

OldSchool

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Brady has lost his top receiver this past year in Cooks, his top playoff receiver last year in Amendola, his top RB to the Titans as well as his starting RT and LT. His to two options going into next year are a an injury prone Gronk and a soon to be 32 year old Edelman coming back from a major injury. I'd say it's legit to question the Patriots in 2018 especially since there defense wasn't very good at all last year.
 

dieterbrock

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Brady has lost his top receiver this past year in Cooks, his top playoff receiver last year in Amendola, his top RB to the Titans as well as his starting RT and LT. His to two options going into next year are a an injury prone Gronk and a soon to be 32 year old Edelman coming back from a major injury. I'd say it's legit to question the Patriots in 2018 especially since there defense wasn't very good at all last year.
I'll believe it when I see it. Laugh all we want, but they did hang on to Kenny Britt who if he wants to play, can play.
I look forward to the day they fall apart but until they do, I'll temper my enthusiasm.
Buffalo, Miami and the Jets don't scare anybody....
 

OldSchool

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I'll believe it when I see it. Laugh all we want, but they did hang on to Kenny Britt who if he wants to play, can play.
I look forward to the day they fall apart but until they do, I'll temper my enthusiasm.
Buffalo, Miami and the Jets don't scare anybody....
I agree, they continually pull the magic rabbit out of BB's bag of magic cheats. Also yeah the rest of the division is ass that's one of the main reason's they've won so many straight division titles.
 

Loyal

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What I don't understand is the Jimmy G. trade with San Fran. I heard that Bellecheat wanted Jimmy G. as the next starter in New England, but Kraft took Brady's side. I get that Bellecheat was upset, but why hamper his team's draft capital in the draft with only a 2nd rounder for Jimmy G? Surely a different team would have gone higher..at least a 1st rounder, especially when considering the recent trade of Brandon Cooks for the Rams 1st rounder (etc...)

So they undersold a franchise QB, and then got top dollar for a WR? I thought it was the Hoody that operated the Draft? Doesn't make sense to me, unless the dude is going senile and the Patriots are sinking by the bow....
 

fearsomefour

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Brady has lost his top receiver this past year in Cooks, his top playoff receiver last year in Amendola, his top RB to the Titans as well as his starting RT and LT. His to two options going into next year are a an injury prone Gronk and a soon to be 32 year old Edelman coming back from a major injury. I'd say it's legit to question the Patriots in 2018 especially since there defense wasn't very good at all last year.
And their D.C. Is gone.
Patricia got a lot out of a relatively average group for a long time.
 

fearsomefour

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I agree, they continually pull the magic rabbit out of BB's bag of magic cheats. Also yeah the rest of the division is ass that's one of the main reason's they've won so many straight division titles.
Yep.
That division helps hand them home field playoff after playoffs.
 

LesBaker

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Brady has lost his top receiver this past year in Cooks, his top playoff receiver last year in Amendola, his top RB to the Titans as well as his starting RT and LT. His to two options going into next year are a an injury prone Gronk and a soon to be 32 year old Edelman coming back from a major injury. I'd say it's legit to question the Patriots in 2018 especially since there defense wasn't very good at all last year.

Brady has made do with less than average receivers in the past though. He's accurate enough and they play enough short passing game that average guys can be productive enough to get wins.

I'll believe it when I see it. Laugh all we want, but they did hang on to Kenny Britt who if he wants to play, can play.

That fucking guy should be a pro bowler but instead he's a journeyman. He should take a good look in the mirror.

He's just another textbook example of wasted talent.

Also yeah the rest of the division is ass

It's awful, and is probably the worst in the last 20 years overall.

Yep.
That division helps hand them home field playoff after playoffs.

Yup and that's been a big edge that's been gifted to them. If the Patriots played in the AFC North it would be a much different story.
 

DaveFan'51

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Brady has lost his top receiver this past year in Cooks, his top playoff receiver last year in Amendola, his top RB to the Titans as well as his starting RT and LT. His to two options going into next year are a an injury prone Gronk and a soon to be 32 year old Edelman coming back from a major injury. I'd say it's legit to question the Patriots in 2018 especially since there defense wasn't very good at all last year.
I would not be surprised at all to see the Pats Draft a QB this yearand probably in the 2nd round!
 

Soul Surfer

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I just hope I live long enough to see those cheating scumbags go down the tubes.
 

den-the-coach

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I just hope I live long enough to see those cheating scumbags go down the tubes.

This*....Those cheating Bastards I live for the day I see them consistently playing like they did under Head Coaches Clive Rush, John Mazur & Rocket Rod Rust!
 

Prime Time

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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-in-front-of-teammates-for-using-tb12-method/

Belichick ripped Gronk in front of teammates for using TB12 Method
Posted by Michael David Smith on April 9, 2018

gettyimages-462644450-e1523286369335.jpg

Getty Images

Talk that Patriots coach Bill Belichick and tight end Rob Gronkowski don’t see eye to eye may stem from the same source as the reports during the season that Belichick and Tom Brady weren’t seeing eye to eye.

The earlier reports centered around Brady and his trainer Alex Guerrero, and a new report says that Belichick got on Gronkowski’s case during the 2017 season because Gronk began following the teachings of Guerrero and Brady’s patented TB 12 Method.

The Boston Herald reports that Belichick chastised Gronk in front of teammates for being a TB12 client, an effort from Belichick to keep other players from following the instructions of Guerrero instead of the team’s training staff.


View: https://twitter.com/tomecurran/status/983355984272920576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fboston.cbslocal.com%2F2018%2F04%2F09%2Freport-rob-gronkowski-chastised-by-bill-belichick%2F

Whatever Guerrero is doing with Brady and Gronkowski, it seems to be working: Brady is still playing at an MVP level at age 40, and the oft-injured Gronkowski stayed healthy last season through the Super Bowl. So perhaps it would be wise for Belichick to ease up on his contempt for the TB12 Method.
 

Dieter the Brock

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I just hope I live long enough to see those cheating scumbags go down the tubes.

Jerey Rice played a long long time for Satan's Friends and it was 10000x worse since they were are arch rivals

But finally one day Rice left - Lott retired -- they drafted Drunkemiller and Seafart went to Carolina

Except for the Harbaugh years it has been great ever since
 

Merlin

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Someday the media is going to learn that Belichick, not Brady and Gronk etc., is the reason the Patriots are in the mix every year. I'd almost say that I hope Belichick restacks things without them and proves that, but it would mean more Patriots' appearances in the postseason which I would detest.

I just have enormous respect for Bill. Dude is the real GOAT in all this, IMO.
 

ReekofRams

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No team can stay on top forever, no matter who the coach or coaches are. Just ask the Lakers, the Yankees, the Packers, and soon to be the Patriots. Sooner or later they all come crashing down.

But I've never wanted any team more than the Patriots, a team who stole the a Super Bowl awww from us because of cheating, to come crashing into its deep dark pit. A team that also has been caught cheating at least one other time, who tried to hide evidence and then got upset that they were being railroaded.

I'm tired of them saying they are being persecuted by the NFL, especially when they are the ones being caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Plainly stated if it wasn't for Tom Brady, New England would be an after thought, just like they will soon be. The time is soon coming my brothers when someone else will be the Super Bowl favorite.
 

Karate61

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I dislike some NFL teams. Only team I hate...The Patriots!
 

LACHAMP46

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I just hope I live long enough to see those cheating scumbags go down the tubes.
I remember Steve Grogan....I liked him.....Pats were just an OK team in the 80's(Tippet, Bennett, Irv Fryer)....They went to a SB....and got destroyed by those 85 Bears...never to be heard from again...until 2001.
Almost every team goes up then down...then up again....depending on ownership and players drafted.