Aaron Hernandez- Room for Improvement

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I was glad that Hernandez played yesterday, and I'm one of his biggest fans. I think without Hernandez, with Gronk sick, we probably lose that game. His stats didn't show up in the box score because of two huge pass interference penalties he drew (or one was illegal contact- how did the ref figure that one!)

Hernandez is still growing up, and he really needs to cut down on his mental mistakes. Eventually, one of these is going to be a killer in a big game. Brady stated earlier this year that in Hernandez's rookie season, he felt that AH was too inconsistent- it was either boom or bust on each play. Just to recap yesterday's game:

1. Although I'll start with the drop in the endzone, that was probably the least concerning, as everyone makes a few drops; the ball just bounced the wrong way, and although the pass was on target, it was wobbly, and it was around three defenders. Hernandez has improved on his reliability this year and has made some tremendous catches.

2. A false start penalty on a hard count. It's the defense that's supposed to get baited- not the offense.

3. A fumble which turned out to be harmless, but could have just as easily turned the game. Aaron puts the ball on the ground A LOT. To me, this is very concerning, but for some reason we always seem to recover his fumbles.

4. As Simms pointed out, Aaron should not have raised his hand up when he thought he had coverage beat downfield. Although he had burned one defender, there were two guys back there in coverage, and it turned out to be a pass into triple coverage. If Brady sees a guy waving his arms, he's going to throw the ball; it's AH's job to understand the coverage as well. Yes, it still would have been a big play had the ball been perfectly thrown, but you can always make that argument, and that is certainly not the high-percentage pass that defines the Patriots offense.

 

[BigMike]

What i liked hearing is Hernandez comes in early every day and stays late each day -s o late he leaves when the coaches do. This kid is working hard preparation wise.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I was glad that Hernandez played yesterday, and I'm one of his biggest fans. I think without Hernandez, with Gronk sick, we probably lose that game. His stats didn't show up in the box score because of two huge pass interference penalties he drew (or one was illegal contact- how did the ref figure that one!)

Hernandez is still growing up, and he really needs to cut down on his mental mistakes. Eventually, one of these is going to be a killer in a big game. Brady stated earlier this year that in Hernandez's rookie season, he felt that AH was too inconsistent- it was either boom or bust on each play. Just to recap yesterday's game:

1. Although I'll start with the drop in the endzone, that was probably the least concerning, as everyone makes a few drops; the ball just bounced the wrong way, and although the pass was on target, it was wobbly, and it was around three defenders. Hernandez has improved on his reliability this year and has made some tremendous catches.

2. A false start penalty on a hard count. It's the defense that's supposed to get baited- not the offense.

3. A fumble which turned out to be harmless, but could have just as easily turned the game. Aaron puts the ball on the ground A LOT. To me, this is very concerning, but for some reason we always seem to recover his fumbles.

4. As Simms pointed out, Aaron should not have raised his hand up when he thought he had coverage beat downfield. Although he had burned one defender, there were two guys back there in coverage, and it turned out to be a pass into triple coverage. If Brady sees a guy waving his arms, he's going to throw the ball; it's AH's job to understand the coverage as well. Yes, it still would have been a big play had the ball been perfectly thrown, but you can always make that argument, and that is certainly not the high-percentage pass that defines the Patriots offense.

Agreed, and all easily corrected. I believe Gronkowski had some drops and fumbles his rookie season, and corrected those issues. Receivers will drop easily catchable balls, even happened to Jerry Rice. I saw Hernandez attempting to block on a few plays, and that made me feel good about his future. He realizes Gronkowski is an all around beast, and I think there is a healthy competetion between the two, and they push each other to become better in all facets of the game.

 

[TedyB54]

I certainly hope so. I can't imagine that anyone would expect that a 2nd year player has already reached their potential in the NFL.

Even today, Tom Brady talks about going out there every practice and trying to get better. Should be no different for Hernandez.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I certainly hope so. I can't imagine that anyone would expect that a 2nd year player has already reached their potential in the NFL.

Even today, Tom Brady talks about going out there every practice and trying to get better. Should be no different for Hernandez.

Hey, Laurence Maroney peaked during his first game.

 

[upstater1]

Hernandez is also 21 years old!! That's what amazes me.

A lot of players leave college at 24 years of age having stayed back a year in high school and redshirted a year in college.

This kid shot up in height playing in central Connecticut (not known for its great football), then had 3 great years of football at Florida.

He's still developing, yes.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Hernandez does at times seem to have an odd relationship with the ball. He can make nice catches and can look so smooth -- then you get the fumbles and the drops of easy catches. There are times when I see him trying to catch the ball and, like I said in the game thread, it's like he's trying to make the catch with a sword and shield in his hands. To my untrained eyes, Gronk seems much smoother as a receiver.

At the same time, AH's talents are enormous and — so hard to believe — he's still only 21. He's already an enormous part of this team and I'm excited about seeing him develop and get even better. He's got the right coach and QB to help him reach his potential.

 

[Rob0729]

I'm not going to judge the guy on his first game back from injury playing clearly less than 100%. He was playing great before the injury.

 

[TheSolderKing]

1st game back... had to get use to the Game Speed, he was fighting fears of his MCL sprain, hasn't practiced much in a few weeks.

The guy should have had the Ball. It did however seem like that ball ha some ZING on it and was a little high... the ball should have been 3 inches lower imo. I am not worried. it is AH's 1st game back... he settled in w/ more reps and redeemed himself in the end.


Ocho's 2 catches were mighty nice.


I did not expect a 100% Hernandez for this game. We must factor in his time away from the game (practice), knee soreness and the fear of are-ggravating his MCL more.

on deep balls he got seperation a few times but TFB put too much on it. Overall not a bad showing from him.

That INT should not have happened, but do consider the factors I mentioned

 

[Dessalines]

Some of the issues he had yesterday were no doubt due to not practicing when he was injured. I suspect it si going to get much better shortly.

 

[Reckedtrek]

First game back from an injury, no way he is 100% right now and playing with a leg brace. I think he'll be fine after the bye week.

The interception, IMO, was as much on Brady as it was AH. Brady threw a very rare wobbly duck of a ball, no tight spiral at all. Then it took it's bounce and it went exactly where it shouldn't have. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it, especially as the pats came out with a W anyway.

 

[PatriotFan77]

Room for improvement? Heck yes. That TD drop was ridiculous. Everyone has drops yes but he has to make that catch. Would have changed the whole dynamic of the game. Pats would have then been up 24-7 early in the 3rd quarter and its rout city. Instead the Jets were in it until 1:04 left in the 4th Q. I don't put it on Aaron though, it seems like they are rushing him back into service and he clearly looks less than 100%.

 

[RIpats88]

1st game back... had to get use to the Game Speed, he was fighting fears of his MCL sprain, hasn't practiced much in a few weeks.

The guy should have had the Ball. It did however seem like that ball ha some ZING on it and was a little high... the ball should have been 3 inches lower imo. I am not worried. it is AH's 1st game back... he settled in w/ more reps and redeemed himself in the end.


Ocho's 2 catches were mighty nice.


I did not expect a 100% Hernandez for this game. We must factor in his time away from the game (practice), knee soreness and the fear of are-ggravating his MCL more.

on deep balls he got seperation a few times but TFB put too much on it. Overall not a bad showing from him.

That INT should not have happened, but do consider the factors I mentioned

I dont get why ocho wasnt given more opportunities..especially with hernandez less than 100%(and why risk further reinjury)...he seems to come out each game and make a couple nice catches from brady for first downs

for all the media/fans calls to "cut him" for his lack of production...its something to note the guy is the 3rd WR and gets around 20-30snaps a game in a heavy 2TE set...im sure if he got 60snaps and was targeted more often, he would have more catches/higher production

there will be games where Branch misses and Ocho will step up in the 2WR role..hes producing for us right now...and doing more than Edelman/slater/price have in that 3rd WR role..im looking for them to use the Bye week to carve out a role for Ocho as he seems more comfortable in the offense.

its interesting to ntoe that Hernandez comes back and Branch once again is productive...it seems that the 2 go hand in hand

 

[Trey]

As a Bills fan, I certainly hope Hernandez does not improve. The kid is ridiculous.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yes, the pass was dropped. But let's not act like it was a perfect pass. It was a duck from Brady that wobbled more than a 747 does on landing.. Not to mention that it was thrown way too hard..

Also, speaking from experience, it takes time to get used to that sort of knee brace. They are custom made and it takes time to get used to the feel of them. It's pretty much a guarantee that the didn't get it before wednesday of this week. So he'd have a couple of practices with it. Not nearly enough time to get used to it..

Give him until after the BYE and let's see where he's at.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

it seems like they are rushing him back into service and he clearly looks less than 100%.

Clearly he is not 100%, but it seemed to me on a couple of those plays, he was more worried about whee the hit coming from then securing the ball.

That tells me that he played this game with a lack of courage.

Hopefully it goes away as he gets healthier.

 

[Betterthanmost]

What i liked hearing is Hernandez comes in early every day and stays late each day -s o late he leaves when the coaches do. This kid is working hard preparation wise.

Those are the only people Brady really wants to throw to. Those who stay late and those who come in early.

 

[TheSolderKing]

As a Bills fan, I certainly hope Hernandez does not improve. The kid is ridiculous.

that is the only reason we lost to you guys. He will improve.



are you wishing injury? classless


Buffalo fans were all up in Arms when TFB went down for the yr. I go to college 3 hrs away from "The City of LOSERS" I...I... I mean Buffalo my bad.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Clearly he is not 100%, but it seemed to me on a couple of those plays, he was more worried about whee the hit coming from then securing the ball.

That tells me that he played this game with a lack of courage.

Hopefully it goes away as he gets healthier.

I wasn't too keen on the idea of them bringing him back so soon. I'd sure hate to lose him for a longer period. It defly showed, like when the defender (forget who) fell on him. When he got up he was limping :ugh:. That dropped pass in the EZ, when he went to the ground, you could tell he was extra careful about how he landed. I dont blame him, but he looked a bit shell shocked, kinda like TB when he came back from his injury.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Welker stuggled at times last year after his knee injury...now you got a guy just 2 WEEKS removed from a similar injury and there should be some time given before we see Hernandez shred secondaries again.

It will return in time.