FOXBORO -- Rob Gronkowski didn't play in the AFC championship game last year because he had season-ending back surgery in December.
Jaguars coach Doug Marrone noted this week Gillette Stadium is the toughest place he's ever coached, and when Gronkowski was asked why this could be, he recalled his time in the stands during the AFC championship game last year.
"Our fans are always coming out," he said. "I remember last year I was watching in the stands, and they were going bazooka. They were super loud, super proud. It doesn't matter where you are, if you are playing home or you are playing away, it is the better team that comes out, it is the team that is more prepared and it is the team that plays harder on Sunday that is going to win the game. It doesn't matter if we are home or away; it is whoever comes out and plays harder on Sunday. That is what we have to do. Obviously, having our home fans being super loud when they need to be definitely helps out, too."
As for playing in the game after missing it last year, Gronkowski didn't want to go there.
"I got this question many times last week. I answered that last week. I am back. I played last week," he said. "I am just focused on the Jaguars right now, a tough team that I am putting all my focus [on]. I am not looking [back] when I didn't play. I am just studying up and getting ready for the game on Sunday."
Gronkowski knows what a big challenge the team has facing a strong Jacksonville defense.
"That is a big challenge," he said. "They have very talented players on both sides of the ball. Especially on defense, they have many, many great players. It is going to be a big challenge. It is the best team we are facing all year coming up in the AFC championship game this weekend. We have to be ready. We have to be prepared. It is going to be a big, tough challenge, for sure."
