Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez.........

[JJDChE]

He definitely has a ball security issue. Thus far his production has far outweighed the negative plays he's made or contributed to. He needs to work on it.

That's all that needs to be said.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

2 turn overs in opponents red zone 2 weeks in a row.... HELLO!!

Missed two weeks recovering from MCL sprain and is still playing with a honkin' brace weeks before Tom Curran's sources said he would be able to...HELLO!!!

 

[MoLewisrocks]

He definitely has a ball security issue. Thus far his production has far outweighed the negative plays he's made or contributed to. He needs to work on it.

That's all that needs to be said.

Comparatively speaking as in in the real NFL world, no he doesn't. Some of you have striving with perfection confused with actual achievement of perfection which even Bill will tell you is a utopian goal they persue in order to fulfill the need to keep getting improve your game in season and throughout your career...

 

[cmasspatsfan]

What Hernandez is able to do as a 21-year-old second-year player in the league is awesome. He showcased some serious skills yesterday. That said, the ball security thing needs work. I agree with Patchick that he just needs to focus on ball protection more, knowing when to concede that a play is about to end. I think Gronk learned this lesson last year in pre-season; watching him yesterday, dude's just just not going to let that ball go once he gets it.

I think the Browns game was Gronks wake up call last year.
Hernandez' fumble yesterday was sort of an odd play, Brady threw to him in coverage and the defender was draped all over him before he could tuck the ball away, then another defender hit him, yesterdays wasnt a case of hes got a problem, if he gets the ball 1 second earlier he secures it and this isnt an issue.

 

[SanAngeloState]

He's coming back from a gimpy knee is trying to do too much. He'll return to form shortly. Then just tell him to get the first down and go down (if he's in traffic) instead of trying to struggle for an extra yard and coughing it up.

 

[RIpats88]

as dynamic as hernandez is, we have to remember that he is only 21years old and has alot of room to improve over his career.

the good he brings to the team has far outweighed the bad IMO and these 2 turnovers in the past 2 weeks might be a case of hernandez still trying to get back into it from his injury. he didnt seem to make these mistakes in the first 2 weeks of the season

the fact that he can have that fumble and brady trusts him in the endzone and with several first down plays on that final drives to me speaks volumes rather than a horrible fumble he had

 

[JJDChE]

Comparatively speaking as in in the real NFL world, no he doesn't. Some of you have striving with perfection confused with actual achievement of perfection which even Bill will tell you is a utopian goal they persue in order to fulfill the need to keep getting improve your game in season and throughout your career...

Compared to other Patriots players, he's behind the curve. There's room for improvement, dontcha think?

 

[Fencer]

Compared to other Patriots players, he's behind the curve. There's room for improvement, dontcha think?

Due to the ball security issue, Hernandez -- who otherwise would be close to an elite player -- is pretty far from elite.

But he's still good to have on the field. And I'm optimistic that he'll improve in this regard.

For an analogy, even if at a different position, consider Kevin Faulk, who evolved from walking turnover to sure-handed safety valve.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Compared to other Patriots players, he's behind the curve. There's room for improvement, dontcha think?

No, I think fans take general concepts too literally around here and try to apply them to individuals on a game to game or play to play basis. There is always room for improvement. I've seen Welker and Deion go through stretches where you'd like to throttle them. Seen Tom unravel on occasion, although this season I'd argue that his snafu's are largely flukes (where there weren't any last regular season unless they went the other way).

 

[Frezo]

Faulk went through times of fumblitis early on. Glad BB waited it out.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Due to the ball security issue, Hernandez -- who otherwise would be close to an elite player -- is pretty far from elite.

But he's still good to have on the field. And I'm optimistic that he'll improve in this regard.

For an analogy, even if at a different position, consider Kevin Faulk, who evolved from walking turnover to sure-handed safety valve.

Now Patsfans are losing site of what an elite player is... You're too focused on the minutae where this team is concerned and you don't assess other players on other teams by nearly the same standard. Gronk and Hernandez are both emerging elite TE's.

 

[patchick]

Missed two weeks recovering from MCL sprain and is still playing with a honkin' brace weeks before Tom Curran's sources said he would be able to...HELLO!!!

He's coming back from a gimpy knee is trying to do too much. He'll return to form shortly.

Psst...Hernandez fumbled twice in the preseason.

I think we all recognize his tremendous skills and talent. At the ripe old age of 21 he runs good routes, is fast enough to line up all over the field, plucks the ball cleanly (uncharacteristic Jets end-zone miscue aside), and is downright nasty after the catch. But ball security is a real issue -- does anybody think the Pats coaches aren't going to focus on that with him?

 

[Uncle Rico]

Now Patsfans are losing site of what an elite player is... You're too focused on the minutae where this team is concerned and you don't assess other players on other teams by nearly the same standard. Gronk and Hernandez are both emerging elite TE's.

I'd make the case that Gronk is beyond emerging elite and is there already. I was just looking at game stats and I wonder how many people (like me) would be surprised to know that Gronk had more yards than AH yesterday (74-68)? That's on top of some terrific blocking. What's more, Gronk had 7 catches on 7 targets; AH had 8 on 14. Hernandez seems to have the right attitude and work ethic to fix the ball security stuff, so he'll be right there among the elite soon; meanwhile, he brings an exciting talent to this offense.

 

[rojo8401]

Yes, it's an ongoing issue that's carried over from last year. He's a play maker trying to extend plays but sometimes he needs to just put two hands on the ball and forgo getting the extra 5-6 yards he usually squeezes out. I will take less YAC if it means he secures the ball.

I do not miss ole fumbling Faulk. I think Ivan Fears corrected Faulk's porblems so maybe he's working on it with Hernandez. Maybe get Law Firm to show him how it's done as well.

 

[Bella*chick]

He's so, so talented and so, so young. I remember last year he had the dropsies for a few games as well. He's what, 21? I'm more than willing to give him time and experience with ball security. It's totally obvious that TFB has a load of confidence in him.

 

[Betterthanmost]

The sharks are smelling blood now. I feel sorry for his arms in the next few weeks. He is going to get punched, pinched, helmet to arm smashed.
He would need to prove that this is just an aberration and not the norm.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I don't think it's unfair to say that he's had some issues. Wouldn't blow it too far out of proportion though, either. It's something that he has to work on, and I'm sure he will.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

I've noticed that in all your threads, you are such a debbie downer.

 

[TruthSeeker]

The kid is amazing. He's half WR and half TE. He has enormous skills. I'm just so happy he's a Patriot, him along with Gronkowski have changed the Patriots offense (for the better). It's been a long time since I've seen two different kinds of TE's compliment each other so well. They can both get deep, either against LB's or DB's. Very rare.

The fumbles and the drops, he will get better at that. I remember Jerry Rice fumbling on his way to the endzone, untouched, in his rookie season. He got better at ball possesion and became the greatest receiver of all time. Hernandez will get better, the talent he has can't be taught, he is a beast.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

He had major fumbling issues in pre-season.

He dropped a catch last week in the endzone that resulted in Brady's first ever redzone INT @ Home (and lost us 7 points in a cruicial part of an important game)

He fumbles again today on the opponents side of the field.



As good as he is, Hernandez just isn't reliable. I'm wondering if he's always had these issues going back to his college days?? Is it something he can fix? Or is it something worse than that, like poor grip strength and small hands?

Nathan, Nathan,Nathan

He had a couple of mistakes in the game.
I know Tom Brady has made his share! Like...uh...big interceptions etc...
F-Ups are a team thang
Hernandez is a WR in a TE's body! Winning!

Hernandez is helping us win.