FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is about as scary a matchup as it gets for NFL defenses. At times, the Broncos double- and even triple-covered Gronkowski, and he still made plays like his spectacular one-handed grab (which drew quite the reaction from quarterback Tom Brady).

Rob Gronkowski has four touchdown receptions in the past two games. Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Brady talked during his Wednesday morning press conference about how Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare who creates a state of panic for opposing defenders.

“And I think they know that, too, so then they panic, and then when they panic, it’s even more of an advantage to the offense,” Brady said. “Sometimes when you get a bigger receiver on the perimeter and a smaller [defensive back] is matched up on him, the mindset of the DB might even change because they think, ‘Oh my God, this guy is so much bigger and taller and stronger and what am I going to do?’”

Even one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, Darrelle Revis, who matched up with Gronkowski during training camp, sees how opposing defenders could get anxious when faced with trying to stop Gronk.

“I wouldn’t blame them for panicking,” Revis said. “The guy is 6-foot-7, he can run, he’s explosive. I mean, you put him in that category of Tony Gonzalez, they just have big bodies, hard to get around them, sometimes if you might break you might not know where the ball is going to be at, his wingspan, he will stick his hand in the air.

“There’s so many variables, it’s just hard to cover a big receiver/tight end like that. You spread him out, he makes plays. You put him inside the core and put his hand in the dirt and he makes plays as well.”

Revis, who as a veteran and top cover corner has been tasked with stopping some of the best pass catchers in the NFL, was asked what he would do to cover Gronkowski.

“That’s over with, but I’m just giving a look,” Revis said. “Coach told me to give him a look so I gave him a look. I have to keep [what I would do] to myself. I have to keep that in my bag.”

After shadowing and trying to cover Gronkowski this offseason, Revis sympathizes with opposing defenders.

“I feel sorry for them, I really do,” Revis said. “Because Gronk is very tough to cover. I feel sorry.

“And Gronk, he works hard at it. He works hard, he does what he needs to do as a professional football player to go out there and he’s an elite player.”

Revis is just glad he no longer has to deal with Gronkowski as a member of an opposing team.

“I’m happy to be on this side instead of the opposing team trying to execute or find a way to cover him,” Revis said.