The New England Patriots may be on the verge of an offensive pivot. With tight end Rob Gronkowski retiring, the team will have to take a different approach on offense. Yet somehow, this adjustment should be more of the same for New England, which tailors their system to their skill players for every half of every game.
“[Patriots offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniels said it best – You’re not going to replace Gronk,” Vereen said. “He’s a once-in-a-generation type of player. Don’t even stress yourself in trying to replace him. Even furthermore, in the last three years Gronk has missed 13 games. Don’t think that the Patriots and this offense doesn’t know how to play without him.They won the Super Bowl in 2016 without him in any of the postseason and in the Super Bowl.”
“This offense is an offense that morphs to the talents of its players. It’s not an offense where you get guys and fit them into the offense. The offense fits around the talent of the players, which is why every week it looks different, which is why different guys are featured, which is why defenses are scratching their heads trying to figure out who to stop.
“It’s a very fluid offense, which makes it complicated, but once you get it anybody has a chance to be successful.”
The Patriots have restocked at the skill positions this season, with tight ends Matt LaCosse, Benjamin Watson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, receivers N’Keal Harry, Demaryius Thomas and Dontrelle Inman and running back Damien Harris. Adding those players to skill players like running back Sony Michel, receiver Julian Edelman and fullback James Develin, Vereen has a sense of where the Patriots offense is headed.
“This offense just screams running attack,” Vereen said. “It’s hard enough to stop the Patriots when you know they’re going to pass the ball. Now imagine stopping them when you know they’re running the ball first.”
