A day after New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski says he's ready to return, Bill Belichick reminded him that it will all fall down with the coaches' hand.
Belichick said "With all due respect to Rob, I'm glad he feels the way he does. But, in the end, we'll have to make the decision that we feel is best for the team and we'll do that as we go through the week."
Belichick has been keeping mum on the issue of a players return especially when it involves an injury. That is why the media frenzied when Gronkowski told reporters that he is excited to go back to playing.
Gronkowski had said "'It's going to be an honor to be back out there with my teammates. Super pumped, super excited and just preparing for the game. It just feels good in my mind to know that I'll be out there with my boys, working hard, grinding with them, being out there."
But Belichick was quick to halt the merry making saying "Well, I'm glad that Rob's optimistic about his situation. We'll go through the week of practice and take a look at everything, everybody and see where everybody is at and do what we feel like is best for the team."
Gronkowski was injured in the 11th game of the 2012 season when he broke his arm blocking for a late, meaningless extra point. He appeared in seven games last season, catching 39 passes, four for touchdowns, before tearing up his right knee on Dec. 8 against the Cleveland Browns.
When Gronkowski was asked if he is ready to return, he was quick to answer saying "definitely."
He added "I feel mentally and physically ready, for sure, no doubt about it. 'Now I just have to focus on the Miami Dolphins, just keep focusing on getting better and getting stronger."
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said "Rob has been practicing, and we've been doing some different things, building our offensive system and packages as we go throughout the course of the year. He's been a part of that. Whatever we can or are available to use him to do - however big, small, whatever the decision is at the end of the week - and he'll be ready to do it."
