3. Steelers kryptonite remains the same
Rob Gronkowski is undoubtedly one of the most dominant players at his position, perhaps ever. His size, strength and ability to finish plays with his hands and/or legs makes him the most desirable machine of the tight end position group. You won’t have to watch film for very long before understanding two things: 1. He’s a major part of the Patriots success. 2. You can not treat him like a regular tight end when game-planning.
This concept shouldn’t be foreign to defensive coordinators, especially those of the likes of Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Butler, who has done a stellar job with the defense up to this point in the season, was either extremely confident in his one on one match-ups or extremely naive in the impact Gronkowski could have, either option proving to be the lethal one.
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When it comes down to a play that’s needed by an offense, every quarterback has his “go-to” guy. Joe Montana had Jerry Rice, Roethlisberger has Brown, and Brady has Gronkowski. It’s not inconceivable to imagine Gronk being the target on plays where New England needs to move the sticks. As un-guardable as Gronkowski has proved to be, it would be wise to adjust to his dominating play.
Yet after 60 minutes of football, Gronk finished with a sparkling stat-line of nine receptions for 168 yards with what would be the two-point conversion to put New England up by a field goal with under two minutes to play. There’s having a field day, and there’s what happened in Pittsburgh for Gronkowski. The defense on that two-point play? Man coverage, with Gronk blowing right past safety Sean Davis at the line of scrimmage.
On the opening drive of the second half, the Patriots looked to Gronkowski on a crucial fourth down that would be completed and drew New England within one point of tying the game. The coverage? You guessed it, single coverage with no help. The lack of talent can be forgiven, the lack of adjustments cannot.
As long as the ignorance of Butler continues, the Patriots will remain to have their way when it matters most. Some things simply don’t change, and that’s the problem for the Steelers when Gronkowski takes the field.