SUPER BOWL 53 NOTES: Gurley takes a seat, Gronk celebrates, Georgia boys triumph

ATLANTA — Todd Gurley tallied 1,251 yards and led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns during the 2018 regular season.

In three playoff games with the Los Angeles Rams, including a loss in Super Bowl 53 on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the fourth-year running back fell short of the bar he set in the first 16 games of the year. The 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year led the Rams’ abysmal rushing game with 10 carries for 35 yards.

Though Gurley and Rams head coach Sean McVay said otherwise, there were doubts about the running back’s health after the game. He rushed the ball four times in the NFC Championship game against New Orleans. He sat out during Week 16 and 17 after undergoing an MRI on his knee following the Rams’ game in Week 15.

He claimed not to be off after resting for several weeks and being underutilized against the Saints.

“Whenever my name is called to get in, I’m ready,” he said. “We have a good running back in (C.J. Anderson), so obviously he is going to come in as well. I just have to take advantage of my opportunities when I get the chance.”

Los Angeles totaled 62 yards rushing against the Patriots, and struggled to get Gurley the ball in the passing game. It was not a problem in the regular season, when he averaged 4.2 receptions and roughly 41 yards per game.

“Certainly, that is going to be something I’m sure I’ll say, ‘O wish I could have got him more involved,’” McVay said. “We could have thrown him the ball, but in a lot of instances, you know, you are saying, ‘OK, we are keeping our run-pass balance.’ When you do decide to activate some throws, what are the ones that give us the best chance to have success … The film is always a good chance to go back and look at it.”

Gronk celebrates, doesn’t contemplate

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was a pivotal part of the New England Patriots’ win. He set up the Patriots’ touchdown with a 29-yard catch that moved New England to the two-yard line. He was second on the team with 87 yards receiving.

The typically energetic tight end has dealt with chronic injuries. He didn’t speculate about the future of his professional football career after the game on Sunday. In nine NFL seasons, Gronkowski played 16 games twice (his rookie and sophomore seasons). He played fewer than 10 games twice, including an eight-game campaign in 2016.

He was dealing with some painful injuries after the Super Bowl.

“My quad, it hurts a lot,” he said. “I can barely walk right now.”

Whether he will decide to hang it up this offseason is not expected to come up for a few more weeks, while the Patriots celebrate the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl.

“Tonight, it’s all about celebrating with my teammates,” he said. “(Patriots coach Bill Belichick) told me he’s partying tonight. So, you know it’s going to be good.”

Gilmore’s grab

Stephon Gilmore is usually tasked with taking the opposing team’s best wide receiver out of the game. The seventh-year player out of the University of South Carolina started all 16 games in the second season with the New England Patriots. He had two interceptions.

His interception during the Super Bowl, however, is the highlight that might stand out the most. Gilmore took away an under-thrown pass from Rams quarterback Jared Goff in the fourth quarter of the game when the Rams had an opportunity to tie the game with a touchdown and extra point.

“I mean, I knew he was going to throw it up and I knew I had to make a play,” Gilmore said. “I new he was going to force it up there. Our defensive line put a lot of great pressure on him and he chucked it up and I was able to make a play.”

That takeaway set up a drive that led to a field goal. The kick gave the Patriots a two-possession lead late in the game.

Georgia boys get rings

Trent Brown is the starting left tackle for the Patriots and a native of Albany, Ga. The Westover High School graduate won his first Super Bowl ring in his first season with the Patriots. Brown started all 16 games in the 2018 regular season and the Patriots’ three playoff games.

Brown was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He was acquired by New England during the offseason in a trade.

Brown is the first Westover alum to win a Super Bowl. Brown is a former three-star high school recruit and attended Georgia Military College before finishing his college career at the University of Florida. Brown is listed as 6-foot-8 and 380 pounds.

Georgia Tech alum Shaq Mason is the Patriots’ starting right guard. He started 14 games for the Patriots in his fourth NFL season. Mason is a native of Columbia, Tenn., and was drafted 131st overall (fourth round) by New England in 2015. Sunday’s win was Mason’s second Super Bowl victory.