Gronkowski's 1st catch comes on record-tying drive

Football Betting Lines

02/05/2012 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It took Rob Gronkowski nearly an entire half to make his first catch in the Super Bowl.

The injured Patriot, who set the tight end record for receiving yards and touchdowns during the regular season, was several tortured inches away from one final catch that would have gone down as one of the greatest in NFL history.

Gronkowski, who played despite suffering a high ankle sprain in the AFC title game two weeks ago, had two catches for 26 yards in New England's 21-17 loss.

His first catch of the game was a 20-yarder for first down during a 96-yard touchdown march near the end of the first half that tied a Super Bowl record for the longest drive.

Later, Gronkowski was targeted on a long heave by an under-pressure Tom Brady that was intercepted by Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn on the second play of the fourth quarter.

Gronkowski, who was wearing a walking boot until earlier this week, flashed open and waved his hand to get Brady's attention as three defenders closed on the quarterback.

But he just wasn't able to recover in time to get position on Blackburn, who picked the pass off at the Giants' eight-yard line.

And Gronkowski didn't react quickly enough -- or couldn't react quickly enough -- on a last-second Hail Mary that Brady threw into the end zone from beyond midfield after the Giants took the lead with 57 seconds remaining.

Fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez, surrounded by three Giants defenders, leapt for the ball, which was deflected away.

Gronkowski stumbled forward and reached down, but the ball fell incomplete just out of his grasp.

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JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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