Mark Bavaro: Belichick curtailed practices to extend my career, and he should do same for Gronk

In the early 1990s, Cleveland coach Bill Belichick made a big decision when it came to the health and maintenance of his productive -- but battered -- tight end.

Mark Bavaro, who had accumulated terrific numbers over the course of his career and been a big part of multiple Super Bowl winners, was slowly breaking down because of physical issues. It was decided he would have a limited practice schedule, with an eye toward keeping him fresh for Sundays.

Now, more than 20 years later, Belichick could be faced with a similar decision.

In 1992, Bavaro signed with the Browns at the age of 29, and Belichick agreed to the same practice plan Bavaro had with the Giants in 1990 — limited practice time in exchange for production come Sunday. That year, Bavaro played 16 games and had 25 catches for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns, all while practicing sparingly.

With a myriad of physical issues facing the 29-year-old Rob Gronkowski — maybe the only other tight end Belichick would ever put in the same class as Bavaro — should Belichick re-institute the Bavaro Plan with his current tight end? While the practice schedule is much different than it was back in the early 1990s — less padded practices, for one — it could be one way to maintain his health moving forward.

For his part, Bavaro loves the idea of limiting Gronkowski during the week.


“If they let anyone do it, they should make that accommodation for Rob,” said Bavaro. “He’s definitely worth keeping around at any cost. To me, there’s definitely no downside to that. I mean … and I don’t mean this as a knock, even though it’s going to come out that way … they really don’t work during the week anyway. I mean, the bar is already set pretty low. In this case, you’re just asking to go a little lower.”

Honestly, the production needs to be adjusted considering the era, but Bavaro’s style of play is certainly reminiscent of what Gronkowski has delivered since he entered the league in 2010. Belichick has frequently mentioned both in the same breath when referencing game-changing tight ends he’s coached, and so it stands to reason the Giants and Browns (and later, the Eagles) would make special accommodations that would allow him to stay productive deep into his career, despite serious knee troubles.

“I mean, for me, it wasn’t like I never practiced,” Bavaro said. “It was just that they allowed me to take time off for my knee when I needed it. They only insisted that I need to be there for certain things, like new plays and that kind of stuff. I mean, I had to know what was going on.

“But mentally, it was tough to deal with because I always felt like I wasn’t pulling my weight. Even though I played on Sundays and played well and was productive, that was only part of what it is to be on a team. If you’re not invested and involved in stuff during the week, you feel like you’re out of it come Sunday. But my coaches and most of my teammates were OK with it.”

When he was coaxed back to the game in 1992 after a year away because of knee issues, Bavaro said it was inferred that when he agreed to sign with Belichick and the Browns, he’d do so with the understanding he'd operate on a reduced practice schedule.

“When I did it, it was unheard of,” he said. “There were so many rules in place, and not so much with the team rules — if you don’t practice, you don’t play — but it was an overall attitude that said we don’t take kindly to guys who don’t work during the week and just show up and play Sunday.

“But I owed a lot to the coaches for always making feel like I wasn’t shirking my responsibilities. I also owed a lot to my teammates.”

Gronkowski’s health issues over the years are well-documented. This past year, he reportedly dealt with ankle and back problems. Earlier in his career, he’s had arm and knee injuries. The only time he’s played a full 16-game season was 2011, and even then, he was at less than full strength for the duration of the playoffs after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the AFC title game. As a result, despite his routine brilliance, it’s no surprise he’s acknowledged contemplating retirement, even at the age of 29. After the Super Bowl on Sunday, he said he’s going to take some time to think about his future.