Rob Gronkowski's early exit from the 2013 NFL playoffs comes as a brutal hit for a New England Patriots offense that had finally grown healthy crucial spots.
Guard Logan Mankins battled injuries that sat him five games, one of which also was missed by offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer. Fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez battled an ankle ailment that cost him six games before returning Week 12—or just after Gronkowski suffered the first of two arm fractures this season.
New England had assembled its key cogs just in time for the playoffs, until Gronkowski suffered another broken arm against Houston in the divisional round.
Now the Patriots must again grapple with losing what many consider to be the best tight end in football. Hernandez provides yet another unique and dangerous weapon for the Patriots offense to use in the AFC championship but hardly replicates the end-zone threat and mauling capabilities in run blocking as Gronkowski.
"The Gronk" received Pro Football Football Focus' highest run-blocking grade among tight ends last year and finished fourth in 2012. Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen may still get theirs on the ground, and same with Tom Brady by air, but there's no question the Patriots could have used him against the likes of Terrell Suggs and Paul Kruger on the edge and Ray Lewis over the middle.
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