Tight end Rob Gronkowski's continued absence from the New England Patriots' lineup has escalated tension among teammates who have begun questioning him about why he's not playing and left some wondering if he intends to play at all this season, according to multiple sources. "There's curiosity and resentment, and he's creating it by going out and kicking butt during the week and then he doesn't show up on game day and help the team win," one source said. Teammates, coaches and other members of the organization have watched Gronkowski practice fully for weeks -- this week he was described as dominant while playing the role as New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham while taking 50 reps a day on the scout team -- and yet he has not been available on a game day. "If he's not playing in games, he damn sure should not be doing what he is in practice," said the same source who mentioned resentment. Source: ESPN DaBears22's Take: I can see both sides of this. Gronk wanting to make sure he's fully healed before playing ( sounds like he is though according to the article) and his teammates, may of whom are playing hurt feeling resentful that he hasn't tried to play in a game yet.
ESPN just aired a clip of Logan Mankins saying he would rather talk about the guys who are there to lay it all out on the line on game day than talk about the guys who are not there on game day. I agree with Mankins 100%.
