Rob Gronkowski Ankle Surgery: What It Means for New England Patriots in 2012

If the New England Patriots had a healthy Rob Gronkowski in the Super Bowl, they may have stood a better shot of winning. The fact that they'll have a healthy Gronk for the 2012 season, though, bodes well for their chances to return.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald is reporting that Gronkowski underwent successful ankle surgery to repair a sprain that he suffered against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Per the report, it's expected to be a 10-week recovery for the tight end. That means he should be ready in time for mini-camps in April.

We know what Wes Welker has meant to the offense over the past five years, but strictly in the past two seasons, it's hard to say any receiver rivals Gronkowski's value to both Tom Brady and the offense.

In two combined playoff games before the Super Bowl, Gronkowski was targeted 19 times, caught 15 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns; on Super Bowl Sunday, he was thrown to three times and caught two passes for 26 yards.

It was never a mystery that this injury wasn't dreadfully serious long-term, but the fact that it needed surgery tells you just how serious the injury was to deal with during the biggest game of his career.

Regardless of his health, the Patriots still need to add receiving talent in the draft. According to NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, the Patriots offense was too easy to defend in the Super Bowl. A difference-maker on the outside could help change that when the Patriots face elite defenses in 2012.

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