Rob Gronkowski says Patriots are embracing the critics

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From the Max Kellermans of the world to Rob Parker and beyond, the Patriots have had their fair share of naysayers this season.

And they've heard the noise. That was made clear during the AFC Championship Game when Julian Edelman shouted at Tom Brady on the sideline, "You're too [expletive] old! You're too old!"

During Super Bowl LIII Opening Night, Rob Gronkowski explained how the Patriots have taken all of the criticism in stride.

"We know that there's a lot been said about us this year, and we've been embracing it I would say a little bit more than usual," Gronkowski said. "But we're not letting it distract us. We're just embracing it to take it in and bring it out in good energy."

"It actually is a fun part about it," Gronk added. "You know, you get to laugh at the other player that gets made fun of, and then you get to say the comments to him too, like 'Tom has a noodle arm.' We've heard that one before, and then all practice we're telling Tom he has a noodle arm. But we're just doing it all for laughs and fun, because we know he doesn't have a noodle arm, and we know he's legit and his arm is as strong as ever."

Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman was the latest to hand bulletin board material over to the Patriots, saying age has "taken a toll" on Tom Brady. You better believe Brady's teammates will be reminding the 41-year-old quarterback of those comments all week long.

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