After apologizing to Robert Kraft, Rob Gronkowski ready to focus on the Steelers

Rob Gronkowski has his eyes set on the ball and the Steelers this week. (AP)

FOXBORO — Before meeting with the gaggle of reporters around his locker, Rob Gronkowski made a beeline to a Patriots spokesperson and chatted for about a minute before heading over to his locker.

Clearly, just like he would during a timeout in a two-minute drill, Gronkowski was seeking advice for how he should play the next 10 minutes with the media.

The tight end had made the wrong kind of news during his bye-week break when he was photographed with an adult film star, who was wearing his Patriots jersey.

“It was good, got some workouts in,” Gronkowski said, when asked how his bye week went. “My body’s feeling good and ready to go this week. Had a good practice [Tuesday] and looking forward to today and getting some hitting in with full pads on.”

Then the questions about the tweeted pictures began.

“I didn’t intend anything or to hurt the reputation of anyone on the New England Patriots, on behalf of Robert Kraft,” said Gronkowski, who acknowledged he met with the Patriots owner and apologized for any bad publicity that resulted from the two pictures seen on Twitter. “That’s all. It was just a simple picture and that’s all, and from here on out, I’m just here to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the big game this weekend.”

In the two pictures, adult film star BiBi Jones is seen wearing Gronkowski’s Patriots jersey. Gronkowski admitted Wednesday he regretted the pictures being made public.

“Just not intended to hurt anyone or ruin the reputation of the New England Patriots in any way,” Gronkowski said. “It’s a great organization here and a great football program. I can’t wait to get out to practice and get focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers because that’s all I’m worried about and all I care about.”

Gronkowski said he learned a lesson about how to monitor is public activity during times when he’s away from the team.

“Yes, definitely,” he said. “I intended to hurt no one. I love this organization and I love being here. Definitely wasn’t trying to put anyone on the map or anything.”

Last year, Gronkowski — then a rookie — had his big breakout game before a national TV audience on Sunday night football in Pittsburgh. He caught five balls from Brady, including three touchdowns as the Patriots rolled, 39-26.

“It was just execution,” Gronkowski said when asked about that performance. “That’s what we have to do this year, we have to execute, use all our weapons, use the running backs, use the wide receivers, get the running game going, definitely. We have to go out and execute on every drive, just not a couple.

“Their defense is good. All of their linebackers are huge. They’re all fast, their D-line is good. You know about their safeties, Troy [Polamalu].”