Tom Brady can always throw it to Rob Gronkowski. And Gronk will always catch it. That’s a comfort. And it makes the Patriots’ offense comfortable all around — especially when the defense cooks up a scheme designed to favor Gronkowski. First year Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler will likely have success with his Tampa-2 defensive scheme, but two factors gave it a rocky introduction on opening night against the Patriots. One, the Steelers had a lot of youth on the field. And two, the Tampa-2 is a tight end’s dream scheme (and Rob Gronkowski is a dream tight end).
[Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin IQ Quiz]
Gronk had five catches for 94 yards and scored three touchdowns in the 28-21 Patriots win. He hadn’t played all pre-season. But the Steelers, who let longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau walk last winter, gave him an opening day gift. A trip to Tampa (2).
