Gronkowski irritated by lack of consistency in OPI calls

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is upset with what he considers a lack of consistency in offensive passive interference calls.

Gronkowski, who's tied for the NFL lead in offensive pass interference calls against in 2015 with Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, was frustrated after Sunday's 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

"If the consistency was there 100 percent, then I'd be cool with whatever it is," he told ESPN's Mike Reiss. "One week, we're told we can play, it really isn't going to be called, they can hold and you can slap off their hands. Then the next week, if you touch the guy, it's a PI. I just wish I knew the consistency, so I can base my game off and practice and be prepared for the game and know the rules going in from week to week."

Gronkowski is among the most physical tight ends in the league and excels as a blocker, which perhaps speaks to his frustration with the calls in Sunday's loss.

"As long as you know what kind of game is going to be called, from the beginning; my favorite time is when it's allowed to just be played," he said. "I can go full speed, linebacker is ready for me, boom, we bump, it's just straight-up football. Sometimes I feel like the game of football can get taken away. There is definitely physical (play) that is involved in getting open sometimes."

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