Gronkowski and Hernandez

[CheeseMonkeys]

I know there is a thread on TE's but seriously, who is going to have the bigger impact this season? Gronkowski was picked up in the early 2nd and Hernandez in the 4th, yet I am hearing a lot more good things about Hernandez than Gronk. If Hernandez is "the next Dallas Clark", then Gronk may have to be "The next Jason Whitten" if he's going to have a bigger impact than Hernadez.

Gronk will be a better blocker and red zone threat but Hernandez has also proven to be a threat in the red zone and should be the better receiver. If they both pan out then we may have one of the best TE corps in the NFL. What are your thoughts?

I would also like to note that Hernandez had 30 reps of 225 lbs during the combine. That shows that he is a strong guy.

 

[Fencer]

They have similar upside -- Hernandez fell further because of perceived character risk. Hernandez has to master more of a route-running playbook than Gronk. Gronk has to master more of a blocking playbook than Hernandez. (If Hernandez doesn't do anything more sophisticated than "Find a guy and hit him", he'll still get by.)

I'd say Hernandez has the shorter path to impact.

 

[Kontradiction]

It depends on the area where you're looking at the impact. Gronk will have a greater immediate impact on the offensive line with his blocking and can still catch passes. Between the two, I expect Hernandez to have a greater immediate impact in the passing game.

 

[eagle eye]

Well Hernandez looks to me like his going to be a H-back and wideout and never near the line blocking or very rarely anyways. I think they will both get lots of time.

 

[SEA_Pat]

then Gronk may have to be "The next Jason Whitten"

He'd be the first "Jason Whitten" if that were the case...

I think Hernandez has the bigger impact initially since his role will likely be to go out into coverage more often than not. Gronk probably has a lot more to pick up since he'll be used more in the running game as well as the passing game, so his learning curve will be steeper. I'd be surprised to see Hernandez taking much of a role blocking on the line. He will present a lot of matchup problems as a receiver, too quick for linebackers, too big for safeties and nickle backs.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Sounds like an idea situation....having 2 big strong young TE's whose strengths are in different areas. If all Gronk does is stay in and block at the line and become a redzone nightmare for defenses with his size/hands then he'll be huge in this offense. Aaron will be the TE stud in the passing game but Gronk will be just as valuable with his meat and potatoes game. A terrific young combo to have.

 

[eagle eye]

Lets not forget Crumpler in all of this, he has come in and got praised by BB for his work ethic and everything he is doing. He looks good too and you couldn't have a guy like that at a better time with two rookie TEs in the mix.

 

[zoostation]

Lets not forget Crumpler in all of this, he has come in and got praised by BB for his work ethic and everything he is doing. He looks good too and you couldn't have a guy like that at a better time with two rookie TEs in the mix.

yes! If you like smash-mouth football (and I do!) than watch the way crumpler knocks linemen right out of their cleats! he has also been a great mentor to the rooks. So do not under estimate Crumplers value this season!

 

[pdangle]

Regarding Hernandez (and similar type players), this is where I get confused. If a tight end CANNOT block d-lineman, or 3-4 outside linebackers, how the hell can you call him a tight end?!? That's part of the job description and defines the position, does it not? Otherwise isn't he just a large slot receiver, small fullback, or the something else?

So I guess by deductive reasoning, and to answer myself and some of his criticis, he MUST be able to block these players SOMEWHAT adequately (the 30 reps of 225lb is telling) or we have to start saying he really plays some other position.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

He'd be the first "Jason Whitten" if that were the case...

Huh...?.........

LOL. Wow, I forgot that I had to spell people's names perfectly.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Regarding Hernandez (and similar type players), this is where I get confused. If a tight end CANNOT block d-lineman, or 3-4 outside linebackers, how the hell can you call him a tight end?!? That's part of the job description and defines the position, does it not? Otherwise isn't he just a large slot receiver, small fullback, or the something else?

So I guess by deductive reasoning, and to answer myself and some of his criticis, he MUST be able to block these players SOMEWHAT adequately (the 30 reps of 225lb is telling) or we have to start saying he really plays some other position.

Well, he will line up along the OL at times, but his strength is definitely his receiving.

Breaking down Hernandez's night - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[Brady2Welker]

Hernandez will be our motion h-back that we'll use in a plethora of rolls to exploit defenses we encounter, where as Gronk will be a more prototypical tight end. A lot of people forget that he's really an athletic freak that fell to us in the second, and should've gone in the first round had it not been for his injury.

His measurables are 40yard in 4.65 seconds, with a 32 inch vertical leap, and the resounding label of 'great hands'. Combine that with being a 6'6 target he has the capabilities to also go down field and make big plays.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I can't believe how excited I am over the TE position, a position O'Brien basically forgot existed last season. But these kids have been great so far and I'm expecting big things out of them.

Hernandez will make more plays in the passing game and get on the field more initially, but I expect a lot out of Gronkowski, who is helping transform our offense into a more physical one. They both have different roles to play, but both are vital in transforming our offensive identity.

Crumpler deserves a ton of credit as well, a great under-rated signing at the time, and the perfect mentor for these two kids.

You'll probably see more of Hernandez on Sports Center, but don't forget to watch for Gronk mauling some poor saps to the ground either.

 

[The_Riddler]

Needless to say, these are my boys, I love both of them. People are comparing Hernandez to Dallas Clark, I would compare him to Tony Gonzales, a more scaled-down, slighter version of Tony G, with better moves and a tad more speed than Tony. Don't misread me, he's not Tony yet, but to me, he's the better comparison to "H" than Clark is. Clark, IMO is not as athletic as Hernandez, nor does he have Aaron's speed. Clark on another team, IMO, is half the player he is now, simply because of the Manning factor.

Wait til the NFL gets a load of these two. I wonder if Rexie even realizes what we have over here, probably not, I guess we're not even good enough to enter Rex's thoughts

As I state in my sig Rexie Fatness, have you met our 2 new TEs yet?
"Say hello to our little friends"...Fat boy, say hi to Aaron and Gronk.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Needless to say, these are my boys, I love both of them. People are comparing Hernandez to Dallas Clark, I would compare him to Tony Gonzales, a more scaled-down, slighter version of Tony G, with better moves and a tad more speed than Tony. Don't misread me, he's not Tony yet, but to me, he's the better comparison to "H" than Clark is. Clark, IMO is not as athletic as Hernandez, nor does he have Aaron's speed. Clark on another team, IMO, is half the player he is now, simply because of the Manning factor.

Wait til the NFL gets a load of these two. I wonder if Rexie even realizes what we have over here, probably not, I guess we're not even good enough to enter Rex's thoughts

As I state in my sig Rexie Fatness, have you met our 2 new TEs yet?
"Say hello to our little friends"...Fat boy, say hi to Aaron and Gronk.

Fool!
Had you watched the JETs game telecast you would have learned that Jets TE Justin Keller is "All World". The Jets have superstars at each and every position.

 

[Sporin]

Hernandez will be our motion h-back that we'll use in a plethora of rolls to exploit defenses we encounter, where as Gronk will be a more prototypical tight end. A lot of people forget that he's really an athletic freak that fell to us in the second, and should've gone in the first round had it not been for his injury.

His measurables are 40yard in 4.65 seconds, with a 32 inch vertical leap, and the resounding label of 'great hands'. Combine that with being a 6'6 target he has the capabilities to also go down field and make big plays.

I agree with all of this, if both rise to their potential, they could be the best 1-2 TE pair in the league before too long. The variety of schemes that BB will be able to dream up with these 2 on the roster will give Defenses fits.

:rocker:

 

[The_Riddler]

Fool!
Had you watched the JETs game telecast you would have learned that Jets TE Justin Keller is "All World". The Jets have superstars at each and every position.

Don't forget about Gholston, the next Deacon Jones now according to Rexie, now that Rexie has put his hand down in the grass.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Fool!
Had you watched the JETs game telecast you would have learned that Jets TE Justin Keller is "All World". The Jets have superstars at each and every position.

Actually I thought of Keller when I saw highlights of Hernandez. The difference being, Hernandez seems to catch EVERYTHING, whereas Keller has his Watson-like moment of dropsies. We shall see, I love the potential nightmares these two can possibly create for defenses. I think Tate will add to the passing game as well. Considering Brady only really had Moss and Welker last year, now he can rely on Gronk, Hernandez, Tate and Edelman also (as well as Faulk).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gronk on NESN.com:

"I like this offense a lot," Gronkowski said. "I like blocking. I like receiving. That’s what they've got me doing. It's a fun offense. I'm really enjoying it."

Music to my ears. . . . :rocker:

 

[DarrylS]

Don't forget about Gholston, the next Deacon Jones now according to Rexie, now that Rexie has put his hand down in the grass.

After he got into a staged fight, he made a defensive stop.. then the Jet *********** started.. Rex is onto something.