Slings and Arrows

It’s been a bummer week all the way around. Rather than step back for some perspective, it appears the good citizens of Patriots Nation have their noses firmly planted in a lemming’s butt. I don’t know where we’re going but we do seem to making good progress getting there.

As Gronk’s absence continues, speculation grows; rumors of dissention and resentment surface. As the offense continues to struggle, questions are asked that I didn’t expect to hear until 2016. As injuries mount, it becomes more and more difficult to believe the Patriots have the talent on the field necessary to compete in the NFL.

It’s impossible to predict an injury to a player who is known for durability. Vince Wilfork had played all 16 games in seven of his nine previous seasons. Tommy Kelly played all 16 games the previous five seasons. Big Vince is out for the season and Tommy Kelly will be out this Sunday leaving neophytes to man the starting DT spots. The Patriots might choose to shift Chandler Jones inside with pleasantly surprising rookie Joe Vellano and play Michael Buchanan at DE in an effort to pressure Drew Brees. New Orleans isn’t famous for their inside running game but should they commit to Pierre Thomas between the tackles, New England will need another big game from Brandon Spikes and Jerod Mayo. We’ve seen Belichick and his coaches find a way to deal with injuries in the past; we’ll see what’s up that cut-off hoodie sleeve later today and we’ll hope it’s enough to slow down the Saint’s offense.

Perhaps the biggest surprise this week was seeing questions about whether Tom Brady is in decline. Sure, Tom played poorly last week but who didn’t? Where were the stories about how Brady has bounced back from bad games and losses over the course of his career?

Rob Gronkowski will not play until he is medically cleared by universally respected orthopedic surgeon James Andrews. This is how it should be, of course. The consensus of pigskin pundits and bobbleheads is that Gronk’s return will not solve all of the Patriots’ problems on offense. On the other hand, it’s hard to deny that Gronk would be a big help. The caution that’s been taken to date is a bit concerning as I can’t help but wonder if something more serious and possibly career-threatening is involved. In the absence of information, my amygdala will gladly fill the void with the most dire of possibilities: Maybe Rob Gronkowski’s left arm – after multiple surgeries and infections – now has the tensile strength of vermicelli.

Perhaps more troubling than my pasta-based fears is the report that Gronk’s non-playing status has become an issue in the locker room. Like any other Pats’ fan, I know how important locker room culture is to success in the NFL and how quickly issues in the communal shower can destroy any chance of success. Forget the injuries; forget the ridiculous questions about Tom Brady’s diminishing skills. If there is anything that will keep the Patriots out of the playoffs, it will be a fractured locker room.

They’re playing at home today and nobody – except for a few members of the local media – is picking the Patriots to win. New England used to play the “Nobody believes in us” card when they were posting back-to-back 14-2-0 seasons. They’re 4-1-0 and woke up in their own beds this morning and nobody believes in them.

Do they believe in themselves?