Patriots Player Profiles: Aaron Hernandez
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots featured a pair of rookie tight ends in 2010 in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, with both contributing big to the offensive attack.
Can Hernandez, who was just 21-years-old, follow up his rookie campaign with an even better season?
2010 Stats: 14 games,6 TD, 45 receptions, 563 yards
Hernandez was another great rookie surprise for the Patriots in 2010, pairing with Gronkowski to give the Patriots 16 touchdowns from the tight end position (plus two more from Alge Crumpler). At 21-years-old he was the youngest players in the league, but made his impact felt. He is said to be a wide receiver in a tight ends body, and proved that he has the speed and running skills with three rush attempts for 47 yards.
Check: Other Player Profiles
Hernandez had a breakout game in a Week 15 meeting with the Green Bay Packers with two touchdowns on four passes, including New England's go-ahead score with just over seven minutes left in the game.
His one problem came in the way of dropped passes, letting seven fall through his hands over the course of the season.
2011 Outlook: With their production of last season, Hernandez and Gronkowski will be asked to produce once again from the tight end position. While it appears he will be healthy when the season begins, there are still some questions after undergoing offseason hip surgery. He missed the final two games of the regular season with the injury, and was held to just one catch for four yards in the Patriots 28-21 playoff loss to the Jets.
Read: Patriots Training Camp Blog
But now he finds himself in an offense with a legit deep threat in Chad Ochocinco. Hernandez can stretch the field himself, picking up yards after the catch, and can use his size and strength to push around smaller defenders. He is always a threat for some "trickeration," usually executing the back end of an end-around. It would be interesting to see the Patriots utilize that aspect of Hernandez' game a little more.
With a very successful rookie season under his belt, and a better offense around him, Hernandez should be able to produce at the same level as 2010, if not better.
