Gronkowski reportedly undergoes surgery
--Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has caught fire this week for dancing at a post-Super Bowl party, but there probably won't be any dancing in his future for a while.
According to a report by Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal, Gronkowski underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his ankle on Friday morning. His recovery time is expected to be 10 weeks.
Gronkowski, the Patriots' second-round draft choice out of Arizona in 2010, led the team in touchdown catches this season with 17, an NFL record for a tight end. He caught three more in the postseason, all in New England's 45-10 rout of Denver on January 14. Gronkowski's 1,327 receiving yards in the regular season were also an NFL record for a tight end.
The status of Gronkowski's ankle was a subject of much speculation in the days leading up to the Super Bowl after he was injured in the Patriots' win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Gronkowski did play, but made just two catches for 26 yards in a 21-17 loss to the New York Giants.
When photos and videos of Gronkowski dancing circulated online, former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison voiced his displeasure on ESPN 1000 in Chicago. Harrison said that if he or one of several other former Patriots had witnessed Gronkowski dancing, the 22-year-old native of Amherst, N.Y., "probably would have got his head rung."
--According to published reports, Patriots tight end coach Brian Ferentz is a candidate for Iowa's vacant offensive line coaching position.
Ferentz, who is from Iowa, is the son of current Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. Brian Ferentz played football for his father from 2001 through 2005 and had a brief, two-year career in the NFL as a member of several practice squads.
--WR Tiquan Underwood, who was released the day before the Super Bowl, is back with the Patriots after clearing waivers. The Patriots signed him to a future contract for 2012.
Underwood was released Saturday to avoid the possibility of the Giants claiming him prior to the game. The Patriots signed rookie Alex Silvestro to replace him, figuring they'd need his help on special teams with Rob Gronkowski being limited physically, but Silvestro surprisingly did not play.
--The Patriots offered no excuses, or any silver linings, as they cleaned out their lockers upon returning home from the Super Bowl.
"It was a tough loss," safety James Ihedigbo said. "They played hard. We played hard. We wanted it just as bad as they did. They made more key plays. We fought right to the end. We competed our butts off. It's what you ask for in a championship game. You learn from the experience. You have a desire to go back.
"I'm not one for moral victories. We had a very productive season. It hurts -- tough to swallow."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Make them go to (Mario) Manningham. Make them go to (Bear) Pasco. Let's make sure we get (Victor) Cruz and (Hakeem) Nicks." -- Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, as recorded by NFL Films, instructing his players on the sideline during Super Bowl XLVI, shortly before Manningham made the game-changing catch on New York's final drive.
Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
