Belichick: Gronkowski will play

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick believes that injured tight-end Rob Gronkowski is improving with each day and will take the field against the New York Giants this Sunday.

Second year tight-end Gronkowski who set an NFL record for most receiving touchdowns (17) and yards (1,327) this season suffered his injury, a high ankle sprain in the Patriots 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game almost a fortnight ago.

Since then Gronkowski has worn a moon boot but was seen without it at Media Day on Tuesday and practised with the team on Thursday.

Gronkowski also participated in the team’s walk-through on Friday as the Patriots start to wind down preparations ahead of Super Bowl XLVI which will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“He practiced yesterday. He didn’t do anything today,” Belichick told reporters at what is the final media conference for head coaches before Sunday. “We’ll see where he’s at on Sunday, but hopefully (he’ll play). I saw no setbacks. He’s still making progress.”

Gronkowski as well as 10 other players were listed as questionable by the Patriots who are aiming for their fourth NFL title in what will be their seventh Super Bowl appearance.

“This is kind of like Saturday for us,” Belichick continued. “We’ve had a little bit of extra time this week (to practice).”

“I think we’re ready to go. We’ve worked hard this week Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in practice, and we had good practices back (in Foxborough, Mass.) last week. We went through some mental-review things out there (Friday).”

Belichick who will join the legendary former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Knoll as the only head coaches to have won four Super Bowl’s should his side get up won’t practise on Saturday and will remain in their hotel (only for a team photo at Lucas Oil Stadium) until the big game.

“We’ll have meetings and we’ll do some reminders and things like that in our hotel but we’re not going to actually practice,” explained Belichick.

The Patriots head coach didn’t comment on quotes by Giants players this week, including one from defensive tackle Chris Canty who promised the city of New York to be ready for a city parade on Tuesday.

“Get ready for a great game on Super Bowl Sunday,” said Canty according to the New York Daily News. “And get ready for a parade on Tuesday.”

However other Patriots players, including wide receiver Deion Branch did and the former Super Bowl MVP like his team didn’t seem fazed and almost laughed off the comments.

“They’ve got a parade?” Branch said according to the Daily News. “I don’t know, man. Anybody can throw a parade. I can throw a parade if I want to. I think anybody can throw a parade.”

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, 65 who is bidding to become the oldest coach to win the Super Bowl was asked about the comments but wasn’t really concerned.

“I know there’s been one or two quotes out there, but to be honest, I don’t think it’s any different than Tom Brady (quotes),” answered Coughlin referring to the Patriots quarterback who told his team’s fans he hoped to see them at their Super Bowl victory parade.

“I think it’s just a matter of our team has played good football against great football teams. We always quote to our team: ‘humble enough to prepare, confident enough to perform.’ That’s the way we look at it.”

Like the Patriots the Giants have an injury concern of their own with running-back Ahmad Bradshaw who has an injured right foot but is expected to play on Sunday.

Bradshaw suffered the injury during the Giants 20-17 (OT) victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game almost two weeks ago and despite practising earlier in the week was held out of Friday’s session as he was a ‘little bit sore’ according to his head coach.

“But he’s OK,” exclaimed Coughlin after his team’s 70 minute practise session on Friday. “He’ll be ready. He’ll be listed as probable. In fact, I don’t believe we’ll have anyone listed as questionable for the game.”