The Shide Lines: Can Gronk walk it off?

For the third year in a row, we have seen an identical injury to a high-impact player for a team playing in the Superbowl make the player's status for the game unclear.

Last year the Pittsburgh Steelers starting center, Maurkice Pouncey, couldn't play in the Superbowl because of a high ankle sprain.

The year before, that Indianapolis Colts starting defensive end Dwight Freeney suffered the same injury before the big game. He went on to play and had a strong impact in the first half, but was non-existent after halftime.

Enter Rob Gronkowski. The 6'6", 265-pound mammoth of a man suffered the same high ankle sprain, like  the two mentioned above, in the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens. However, after leaving the game "Gronk" was able to come back and play to a certain extent.

Gronkowski has become one of the Patriots main focal points offensively.  He was the target 20 percent of the time Tom Brady stepped back to throw the ball this season. Gronkowski set records for yardage as well as touchdowns by a tight end this year.

So with Gronk's status being uncertain and, more importantly, how he will be affected by the injury if he plays, the players on the offense are going to have to step up and do things the Patriot way.

Aaron Hernandez, the ying to Gronkowski's yang at the tight end position, will have to step up and play the best he possibly can. Not only in the receiving aspect, which we know he can and will do, but the in the blocking aspect as well, where Hernandez might not be able to fill Gronkowski's role.

Wide receiver Wes Welker, has been a staple of the Patriots offense since he came here in 2007 and accounted for nearly 30 percent of Brady's pass attempts this past season. Wes is going to have to make sure he gets open and makes the cuts he does on the short underneath patterns in order for things to open up downfield.

Next we have the ole' wily veteran Deion Branch. As we know Deion doesn't disappear in the big game. He has played in two Superbowls with the Patriots, combining for 21 receptions, 275 yards, and a touchdown. Maybe Branch is the silver lining Pats fans can smile about and hope to have a big game if Gronkowski doesn't have an impact or can't play.

Danny Woodhead is almost sure to have an increased role out of the backfield this week, as linebackers will be focused on applying pressure to Brady, containing BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and trying to hold Hernandez at bay.  

As we know, having terrific offensive options is more of luxury then a necessity to Tom Brady. We have seen him make Reche Caldwell, David Givens and David Patten, just to name a few, all very productive receivers in their time with the Patriots.

All we can do is hope that Gronk can come out and have an impact to start off the game. He'll have to do everything he can during halftime to make sure his ankle doesn't stiffen. But if he can stay healthy enough, he might just be able to help his team win it all.

One thing we need to keep in mind on Sunday though, is that the game isn't going to be decided by if Gronkowski will play or not, and it shouldn't be. He is only one player, on one side of the ball, on a 53-man roster.