Gronkowski refutes brother's criticism of Patriots

Rob Gronkowski attempted to shut down one of the New England Patriots' unlikeliest critics Wednesday after his older brother, Chris, blasted the team for its ineffectiveness on offense.

"When you're giving up two of your best defenders - safeties or a corner and a safety - to cover a tight end, guys on the outside should be able to win," Chris Gronkowski said Tuesday on WEEI's "Kirk and Callahan Show." "It's just super frustrating to watch. They've got to figure something out."

Rob responded to his brother's comments Wednesday, suggesting Chris was on the radio to promote his ice shaker and got carried away.

"No, I didn't talk to him at all, and to tell you the truth, I mean, I feel like he probably was going on for a promotion thing for his ice shaker because if you've ever seen - no lie. I mean, because he's been on Shark Tank with it, he's teamed up with (Alex Rodriguez) so it's actually a pretty big deal," Gronkowski said during his media availability. "So I guess buy his ice shaker is what he was trying to get to and then he probably got caught up in all that nonsense. But I mean, he doesn't speak for myself and he knows he doesn't. But he probably just got caught up a little bit. Just got to move on, buy his ice shaker I guess and that's all."

Chris Gronkowski also said his brother should be paid like an elite tight end and would never accept a trade because he'd never want to leave the Patriots.

New England hosts the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

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