Seattle CB Lane doesn't worry about Gronkowski
RENTON, Wash. (AP) Seattle Seahawks nickel cornerback Jeremy Lane said Thursday he doesn't think New England All-Pro Rob Gronkowski is that good and being physical with the tight end is important.
Asked what he thinks makes Gronkowski so good, Lane paused.
''I actually don't think he's that good. He's OK. He does have a big body,'' Lane said. ''From what I've seen on tape, he doesn't like your hands being put on him. We put our hands on him and shake him up a little bit he won't catch that many balls.''
Lane is likely to be part of a group of Seahawks that try to keep Gronkowski under control. Gronkowski had 82 catches for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season for New England. Gronkowski had six catches for 61 yards in 2012 when the Patriots last faced the Seahawks.
The anticipated matchup is Seattle strong safety Kam Chancellor versus Gronkowski, but the Seahawks have used cornerbacks and linebackers to cover other athletic tight ends in the past as well.
Lane said the Seahawks won't approach Gronkowski any differently from how they defend other receivers. The key for Seattle is being physical at the line of scrimmage and trying to disrupt the timing of routes.
''That's always our key every week, put our hands on the receivers,'' Lane said.
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