Rex Ryan: Bills need King Kong to cover Rob Gronkowski one-on-one

There are no fictional movie monsters on your roster, so strength in numbers will have to do.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore admits that he would relish being matched up against New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. In that respect it would make most sense to put Gilmore on him, especially as the Bills best cover guy.

“Shoot, he’d have to look like King Kong or something”.

Opponents are now focusing on the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Gronkowski more than ever, so the club has devised ways to make it tougher for them to lock in on him.

“There will probably be some snaps where three guys are on him”. “You’ve got to disrupt their timing”. “Just have to go out at practice and prepare for anyone at any time”. You’ve got to do anything you can. Even without starting center Bryan Stork and veteran guard Ryan Wendell, the Patriots were able to consistently protect Tom Brady and open up holes in the passing game. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck completed just 53.1 percent of his passes in that game and was intercepted twice.

Gronk had the chance to respond to Ryan’s comments Thursday, and Bill Belichick would be proud of the way he deflected such innocuous questions. “We feel he’s past it. There’s still going to be some natural soreness, but we just don’t want to jump right back in and… overload him”.

But Ryan cautioned against being too physical, mainly because of Gronkowski’s speed.

While the Steelers were trying to find a way to stop Gronkowski, the Patriots’ coaching staff was looking for any signs his lack of preseason action might require him to be eased into the mix.

“I have to prepare for everyone”, Gronk said, smirking. Gronkowski was targeted eight times and made just five catches, but three of them were touchdowns. “We’ll press these guys, we’ll do this and that, ‘” Ryan said. The Patriots tight end was asked about Ryan’s comment and delivered a very Patriots-esque response. Safety Corey Graham could be in on the fun, provided he’s cleared to play after entering the NFL’s concussion protocol due to the knee to the helmet he received on the first play from scrimmage in last Sunday’s victory against Indianapolis.

But for once, it looks like someone else is finally fooling Gronk. The Steelers had a plan to hold Gronkowski up at the line of scrimmage.

Q: A writer from the Boston Herald referred to the Patriots as Gladys Knight and Buffalo and the rest of the AFC East as the Pips.

“We really have to worry about what we do”, defensive tackle Kyle Willams said. Can the Bills offensive line improve their run blocking?