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New England Patriots 2018 roster breakdown:

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    December 10, 2018 5:41 AM EET

    #87 TE Rob Gronkowski The New England Patriots currently have 88 players on their active roster. However New England Patriots Hats , only 53 of them will be able to survive the cutdowns on September 1 and ultimately make the team. Over the course of the offseason, we take a look at the players fighting for those spots to find out who has the best chances of helping the Patriots recapture the Vince Lombardi Trophy.Today, the series continues with the NFL’s best tight end.Name: Rob GronkowskiPosition: Tight endJersey number: 87Opening day age: 29Experience: 8Size: 6’6, 270 lbs.2017 review: After ending the 2016 season on injured reserve due to a back injury, Rob Gronkowski returned in impressive fashion last year and left little doubt that he is still in a tight end class of his own. The future Hall of Famer was named first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl, and led all tight ends in receiving yards during the regular season (1,084) — all while finishing second in touchdowns (8) and fifth in receptions (69).Gronkowski also was a rather reliable presence for the Patriots in 2017. He appeared in 14 of 16 regular season contests and missed one game each because of a thigh injury (week 5 vs. Tampa Bay) and a suspension stemming from an unnecessary roughness call (week 13 vs. Miami). Overall, he was on the field for 903 of a possible 1,139 offensive snaps (79.3%) and played less than 85% in just two of his in-game appearances.As noted above, Gronkowski was his usual dominant self when on the field. Not only did he stand out as a pass catcher who led his position in yards per reception (15.7) and yards per route run (2.4), he also once again proved to be arguably the best blocking tight end in the game: Gronkowski was regularly used as a run blocker and pass protector, and usually held his ground even when going against some of the NFL’s best defenders.Gronkowski’s high-level play continued in the postseason. Pro Football Focus’ number one rated tight end appeared in all three of New England’s playoff games and was on the field for 79.6% of his team’s offensive snaps (176 of 221). If not for a concussion he sustained during the second quarter of the AFC Championship Game New England Patriots Womens Hoodie , his playing time percentage would have been even higher.But despite missing some time — just like during the regular season —, his numbers were again magnificent: Gronkowski finished the tournament with 16 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He was at his best in the Super Bowl against a very good Philadelphia Eagles defense: catching nine passes for 116 yards and two scores, Gronkowski was one of the factors why New England was in the game up until the very end.But while the Patriots came up short in the title game, 2017 was another successful individual campaign for Gronkowski. Coming off a stint on injured reserve, he proved to still be the NFL’s best tight end and a weapon unlike any other in the league.2018 preview: Gronkowski made headlines immediately after the Super Bowl, when he did not fully commit to returning in 2018. Despite the wave of rumors and speculation this kicked off, though, he ultimately was back on the practice fields for the mandatory portion of the Patriots’ spring and summer workout sessions. And from that point on — through minicamp and training camp —, it was business as usual for the NFL’s best tight end.Consequently, Gronkowski is expected to be one of the most dominant players in the league in 2018. When healthy — something that was not always the case over his previous eight years as a pro —, the 29-year old should be on the field for at least 85% of New England’s offensive snaps every given week and be among the team and league leaders in every significant receiving category.Gronkowski will therefore continue to be one of the core members of New England’s offensive machinery. In that role, he will once more be a reliable receiving weapon for quarterback Tom Brady in the intermediate and deep portions of the field as well as in the red zone — which is especially valuable when considering the team’s current uncertainties at the wide receiver position Womens Customized New England Patriots Jerseys , with personal turnover and Julian Edelman suspended for four games.At a salary cap hit of $10.91 million (the fourth-highest on the team), he will furthermore also be a sound investment for the team: a player of his elite caliber and abilities as a pass catcher and blocker in the passing and running game is certainly worth this level of financial burden. The newest member of the New York Giants, former first-round pick and wide receiver Corey Coleman, doesn't want to dwell on his past."I don't want to talk about all that," Coleman said. "I've left that all behind."The 24-year-old Coleman was promoted to the Giants' 53-man roster Thursday after former All-Pro defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison was officially traded to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round draft pick. Coleman was promoted to take Harrison's spot on the roster."This organization wanted me and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here," Coleman said before the Giants practiced before hosting the Washington Redskins on Sunday. "I just want to contribute in some way. I think this organization fits me well."Coleman has had a bumpy ride so far this season.During training camp in August, the former Cleveland Browns' first-round selection out of Baylor (No. 15 overall) in the 2016 draft was unhappy with the way he was being used by Browns coach Hue Jackson and expressed his displeasure to Jackson and Browns general manager John Dorsey.The conversation between Coleman, Jackson and Dorsey was highlighted on the HBO series "Hard Knocks". Days after meeting with Jackson and Dorsey, Coleman was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a seventh-round draft pick in the 2020 draft.Coleman's tenure with the Bills was extremely brief. He lasted just two weeks and didn't make it to the final cuts by the Bills and was released Sept. 1.Ten days later, Coleman was signed by the New England Patriots, but his time with the Patriots was also brief. He was released Sept. 17 after the Patriots traded to get Coleman's former Browns teammate Josh Gordon.Three days later, Coleman was signed to the Patriots' practice squad and nine days after that www.patriotscheapshops.com ;, Coleman was released.Coleman was out of football for most of October after making tryout visits with several teams. Last week, Coleman was signed to the Giants practice squad and after the Giants had receivers Jawill Davis and Russell Shepard get hurt, Coleman was promoted to the active roster in time for Sunday's game.Coleman said he's ready to be a factor right away if called upon."It was frustrating to go through all of this, but I had to keep the faith and keep working," Coleman said. "I felt like I would get another chance."Giants coach Pat Shurmur said that it will take some time for Coleman to fit in."We're going to try to get him up to speed," Shurmur said. "First, obviously, he'll help on special teams, then try to get him in on our offensive sets as well."When Coleman was asked if he had a poor reputation because of what transpired on "Hard Knocks", he wasn't worried."Everyone has an opinion about you," Coleman said. "A lot of people don't really know me and know the person I am. I can't change what happened. I now have a new opportunity here and I'm ready to prove to people that I belong."Everything happens for a reason. I'm not going to sit back and evaluate what happened (in Cleveland). I think I'm always going to have a chip on my shoulder. It's because I want to play. People who don't know me can't judge me."In 19 games with the Browns in the 2016-17 seasons, he had 56 catches for 718 yards and five touchdowns.Coleman wants to make his mark with his new club New England Patriots T-Shirt , albeit the fourth team he's been with since August."I think people are going to see the new version of me," Coleman said. "I feel like I'm ready to play wherever the coaches want me to play. Sometimes you just have to put your ego to the side. If it was meant for me to go to the practice squad here, then that's what I had to do."Now I have to prove that I'm worthy of being on the team. It's great to be a part of this receiving corps. It's a great opportunity."NOTES: While the Giants traded two defensive starters in cornerback Eli Apple (to the Saints) and Harrison (Lions) this week, other defensive starters didn't exactly worry about possibly being traded by the deadline. "Business is business," said cornerback Janoris Jenkins, one of those rumored to be shopped around the league. "I understand it's a business. I'll be here until they tell me differently. I'm not going to worry about what's going on." ... Rookie RB Saquon Barkley is looking forward to playing against the Redskins and Adrian Peterson. "He's a special talent," Barkley said of Peterson, who is having a solid season at age 33. "It's going to be a thrill to see him play live. He's a future Hall of Famer."