Pats' Gronkowski not sure if he'll play

INDIANAPOLIS -- Rob Gronkowski was surrounded by a throng of media, and not because he suddenly has begun churning out juicy responses that leave the audience salivating for more.

No, the Patriots' 6-6, 265-pound tight end was a wanted man because inquiring minds were clamoring for information about his high left ankle sprain and his Super Bowl status.

Even though he shed his walking boot Monday and slowly is making strides, Gronkowski isn't sure he'll be able to play Sunday. He never said he definitely will when asked countless times about his injury Tuesday at media day.

"I don't know yet. We are going day by day," he said, a phrase he repeated several times as if reading from a Bill Belichick script. "We are making new steps every day and feeling better every single day. That's a positive sign. You just want to keep going in the right direction. I want to be out there with the team. I am just taking it step by step."

Gronkowski hasn't practiced since getting hurt Jan. 22 in the AFC Championship Game. He said he'll be honest with the Patriots' trainers about how he's holding up if they ask him if he's capable of playing.

"If it's a whole game, if it's a couple of plays," he said, "no matter what it is, just trying to help the team as much as possible."

Gronkowski is the Patriots' big weapon, racking up 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, a record for a tight end, on 90 receptions. Aaron Hernandez, the Pats' other formidable tight end, didn't deny it would be a big blow to New England's chances if Gronkowski isn't available.

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"I think he'll be fine, but it would change the game a lot," Hernandez said. "It would basically be like playing without our main player."

That's because Gronkowski is such an integral part of what the Patriots do. Just ask offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.

"He's got a really unique skill set for his size, because he can run and he's flexible enough to catch the ball," said O'Brien, Penn State's new head coach. "You don't have to throw a perfect ball. He blocks. He's a tough guy and I don't have all day to tell you the things that he does. He's a very instinctive player.

"This year, last year, we moved him around quite a bit. His identity changes and he still knows what to do and how to do it."

Giants safety Antrel Rolle sounded unfazed by Gronkowski's murky status. "It doesn't matter to me," Rolle said. "It doesn't matter whether he plays or not. We're going to go out there and we're going to take care of business."

Rolle explained why he expects that will happen.

"We possess a different kind of read in our secondary that other teams really don't possess," he said. "We're a hands-on defensive back unit. Once we put our hands on guys, it's very hard for them to beat us. Our determination, our will to shut opponents down, is definitely going to give us an edge."

Some may think Gronkowski is immersed in a little gamesmanship, trying to give the Patriots a mental edge.

"No, not at all," he said. "The only reason it's getting so blown up is because it's the Super Bowl, obviously. Just like any other injury, during any other week, you take it day by day and try to heal as quick as possible. Just listen to the training staff to get back out there so when it comes to game time, you're ready to be out there on the field."