A reporter suggested that a number change might be in order for New England Patriots tight end Matt LaCosse, who is wearing No. 83. LaCosse made a spectacular grab in Day 2 of training camp on Friday — with him catching the ball while hugging a defender. The grab was so impressive, the reporter said, that he might need to switch to No. 87, Rob Gronkowski’s old number. LaCosse laughed off the idea and said he was happy with 83.
Is he feeling pressure to replace Gronk?
“I’m just a guy trying to play the game and help the team win,” LaCosse said on Friday after practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium. “Gronk’s one of the best tight ends to ever play the game, but whatever this team needs me to do to help this team win, that’s what I’m going to do.”
He’s smart not to bother trying to replace Gronk. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels already said it’s not possible. Gronk was that good. The best LaCosse can do is what he’s been doing: learn the playbook and make plays when he gets the ball. And he’s got his hands full with the playbook.
“Just very detailed. I think that’s just the difference from the past. It’s extremely detailed,” LaCosse said. “They coach extremely well, extremely hard. It’s fun to be a part of.”
The playbook stages provides extensive direction.
“Routes, blocking, where to line up, stance, start — basically as detailed as it can get. That’s how it is,” LaCosse said. “It’s presented in a way that we can definitely digest it, but you’ve got to put in time to study it, because you can get the core concepts but you need to understand the details of each core concept.”
That’ll be a key as he earns a role — one that is only a small portion of what Gronkowski once provided.
