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This weeks round table we went around and said what we would do to stop Gronk. The Chargers have had quite a bit of success stopping tight ends this year.
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They faced 2 of the best tight ends in the game and haven’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end all season. Making them 1 of 4 teams to do so. Here’s what the guys had to say.
Jamie Hoyle: It wouldn’t shock me if they had Trevor Williams shadow him for a chunk of the game. He’s their biggest and most physical corner (as long as Michael Davis isn’t getting major defensive snaps) and he’s also their best tackler in the secondary. Feels like a solid wrinkle to throw at them. Plus, can’t trust Addae, Boston it any of the LB to do it.
Richard Wade: Honestly, their best chance of limiting Gronkowski starts with pressuring Tom Brady early and often. Jahleel Addae can't cover Gronkowski, but if Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram meet at Tom Brady before he can complete his route it won't matter.
Matthew Stanley: I think Gronk is going to see a lot of Adrian Phillips and Phillips hasn’t been terrible this year. I think you help Phillips with Dez King and hope the pass rush makes Brady’s life a living hell. They just need to do whatever they did when they played the chiefs. Holding Travis Kelce to 1 yard on 1 reception is fucking nuts
Louis Gorini: What about putting Brown on him pressing him off the line and bracket Gronk with Philips?
Jamie Sewell: LB hit him close to the line of scrimmage and try to slow him down a bit, Addae and Phillips double him as physically as they can. I like the idea of Trevor Williams going on him but I'd rather keep him dealing with Cooks.
Kyle Posey: I’d change it up, make it situational. Bracket him on down and distances where you know Brady will look for Gronk. I’d never let him get a free release. Ideally, he’ll stay in and chip. Whatever they’ve been doing so far against tight ends, it’s been working. When the Patriots go in trips and Gronk is opposite of that and by himself, he’ll be against either Hayward or Williams, which is what you want if you’re a Charger fan. What you don’t want is 1-on-1 with a safety. As well as they’ve played as of late, they’re so small I don’t see them having any impact.
What would you do within the rules to stop Gronk?