Patriots notebook: Rob Gronkowski says he has to start making plays for Patriots
"We got to go out there and make plays.’’
FOXBOROUGH — According to tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots’ offense “really doesn’t need to change’’ after the departure of wide receiver Josh Gordon.
“Players like myself just need to step up and start making plays,’’ Gronkowski said at Gillette Stadium Friday afternoon. “We just got to come out and play together. Play how we know we can play. Everyone doing their roles, everyone doing what they need to do to help give a spark to the offense to keep the drives going.’’
Gronkowski extended best wishes to Gordon, who has been suspended indefinitely for violating the terms of his reinstatement under the league’s substance abuse policies. Gronkowski called him a “great teammate’’ and “great guy to have around the locker room.’’
“We’re definitely going to miss him,’’ Gronkowski said.
Without Gordon, the Patriots say goodbye to their team leader in yards after the catch (278) and average yards per catch (18.0). Gordon also caught a team-high 12 passes of 20-plus yards, including a 55-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers.
To account for the void downfield, Gronkowski acknowledged he will carry a bit more of the burden to produce.
“You got to,’’ he said. “Coming down to crunch time, end of the year, we got to pick it up, including myself. We got to go out there and make plays.’’
Gronkowski was removed from the injury report Friday. He was limited Thursday with ankle and back woes. Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who had missed Thursday’s practice with an illness, also returned to full participation.
Patterson, utilized as a running back and kick returner this season, could experience an uptick in snaps as a traditional wideout Sunday against the Bills. The Patriots also will likely turn to Phillip Dorsett and Chris Hogan — both of whom can be deployed as deep threats — in Gordon’s absence. At the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, Dorsett ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, which was the same time as former Patriots speedster Brandin Cooks.
“We have a lot of good players,’’ coach Bill Belichick said. “We have a lot of people that have contributed and performed well for us. We have a lot of confidence in them and the whole team.’’
“We’ve got a great opportunity ahead of us, so just trying to emphasize that,’’ added quarterback Tom Brady. “You can’t ever take these things for granted. I always say it’s so hard to win in the NFL, and we’ve got a great opportunity ahead of us, so we need to take advantage of it.’’
Kamalu promoted
The Patriots signed defensive end Ufomba Kamalu to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.
Kamalu, a 6-foot-6-inch, 295-pound lineman, joined New England’s practice squad in November. He is expected to provide assistance to the run defense. Before signing with the Patriots, Kamalu recorded 11 tackles and three sacks in 13 games with the Texans and spent a month on the Cardinals’ practice squad.
To replace Kamalu on the practice squad, New England signed rookie offensive lineman Tony Adams.
Gordon, while on the reserve/commissioner suspended list, does not count toward New England’s 53-man roster.
Perfect attendance
There were no absences Friday morning at Empower Field House, where the Patriots practiced for the first time since a new turf was installed. Gronkowski noted the field was “softer.’’ . . . Linebacker Brandon King was the lone player on the injury report and is questionable for Sunday’s game with a knee injury.
