Aaron Hernandez arrested, taken away in handcuffs

[kennyb]

Team isn't falling apart at all. Hernandez won't be missed. Next man up. This years offense will be better with more deep threats and plenty of tes. IMO you'll see.

 

[pwes]

Well maybe I should have said the TE situation.

 

[jb1095]

Falling apart how?

I think many people are already in the sky is falling mentality. We still have Tom EFFING Brady folks, we have Amendola, hopefully he stays healthy and I expect he will get TONS of looks from Brady this year. We also have Ballard, who I think will also have a monster year.

So even if we lose Gronk for the 1st 6 games, it doesn't matter does it? I mean is anyone afraid we will not win the division? I would much rather have Gronk out the first 6 games, than out the last 6 games when we actually need him..

Lets also not forget about Sudfeld...Our receiving corps is fine, Brady will push out another 5k yards and the pats will still have at the very minimum, 11 wins, should be enough to win the division...Stop worrying about all we lost and focus on all that are here.

 

[grux]

Word on the street is that one of his buddies is cooperating with the police.

 

[SB39]

Team isn't falling apart at all. Hernandez won't be missed. Next man up. This years offense will be better with more deep threats and plenty of tes. IMO you'll see.

I like your optimism, but I'm just not so sure I share it. The Patriots have lost* all 5 of the players who led the team in 2012 in receptions, receiving yardage and receiving touchdowns. I sure can't think of any time that has ever happened before.

*OK maybe I shouldn't say they've "lost" Gronkowski, but right now he is, at best, a very big question mark.

 

[Kontradiction]

Falling apart how?

Not sure if the team is "falling apart", but it doesn't appear to be peaches and cream right now. The team decided to part ways with one of the most productive and injury-free receivers in it's history. The fans, in turn, argued that it wasn't a big loss because of the two TE's. They instead brought in a more injury prone, lesser version of Welker and drafted two rookie WR's. Now one of those TE's is gone, being replaced by a TE coming off a bad knee injury. Further, neither new receiver has participated in team activities thus far.

The silver lining is that this team still has Brady, who has been fully capable of carrying them and their numerous flaws on his back since 2007 until they ultimately fell short in the playoffs. Maybe this year will be different, we'll see. But if the team's idea for the offense to evolve was to feature the 2 TE's even more than they have in previous years, then that idea is severely backfiring right now because of the Hernandez situation.

 

[Franchise12]

I predict an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the fall of Aaron Hernandez in about 6 months. Any aspiring filmmakers out there?

 

[Kontradiction]

Team isn't falling apart at all. Hernandez won't be missed. Next man up. This years offense will be better with more deep threats and plenty of tes. IMO you'll see.

Who are those proven deep threats? We still have no clue if Dobson or Boyce will be able to absorb the offense. What we're looking at right now is an offense with the most question marks that we have seen since the 2006 season. In 2006, that team still had a dynasty, Super Bowl caliber defense. We don't know if we have that with the 2013 version just yet.

 

[Bella*chick]

Well maybe I should have said the TE situation.

Well, that. Yeah.

 

[PP2]

Not sure if the team is "falling apart", but it doesn't appear to be peaches and cream right now. The team decided to part ways with one of the most productive and injury-free receivers in it's history. The fans, in turn, argued that it wasn't a big loss because of the two TE's. They instead brought in a more injury prone, lesser version of Welker and drafted two rookie WR's. Now one of those TE's is gone, being replaced by a TE coming off a bad knee injury. Further, neither new receiver has participated in team activities thus far.

The silver lining is that this team still has Brady, who has been fully capable of carrying them and their numerous flaws on his back since 2007 until they ultimately fell short in the playoffs. Maybe this year will be different, we'll see. But if the team's idea for the offense to evolve was to feature the 2 TE's even more than they have in previous years, then that idea is severely backfiring right now because of the Hernandez situation.

I'm going to wait until after training camp before passing judgment.

 

[Steve102]

Who are those proven deep threats? We still have no clue if Dobson or Boyce will be able to absorb the offense. What we're looking at right now is an offense with the most question marks that we have seen since the 2006 season. In 2006, that offense still had a dynasty, Super Bowl caliber defense. We don't know if we have that with the 2013 version just yet.

This.

Many, many, many question marks.

 

[kennyb]

Who are those proven deep threats? We still have no clue if Dobson or Boyce will be able to absorb the offense. What we're looking at right now is an offense with the most question marks that we have seen since the 2006 season. In 2006, that offense still had a dynasty, Super Bowl caliber defense. We don't know if we have that with the 2013 version just yet.

Dobson and Noyce are supposed to be smart. They'll pick it up. Sudfeld already did. Ford from Clemson reminds me of hetnanndez a bit. Half the offense is just knowing where to be. Jenkins could shine here ...full confidence in tb and coaches.

And amendola will be more productive and versatile than welker IMO.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Team isn't falling apart at all. Hernandez won't be missed. Next man up. This years offense will be better with more deep threats and plenty of tes. IMO you'll see.

Hernandez's playing ability WILL be missed. But every time someone misses him, they'll also remember the #!%!@%! that got Hernandez booted.

 

[kennyb]

Hernandez's playing ability WILL be missed. But every time someone misses him, they'll also remember the #!%!@%! that got Hernandez booted.

It'll be missed until the next guy steps in and shines. "Where'd the pats get (fill in the blank)? ". Twas ever thus.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Not sure if the team is "falling apart", but it doesn't appear to be peaches and cream right now. The team decided to part ways with one of the most productive and injury-free receivers in it's history. The fans, in turn, argued that it wasn't a big loss because of the two TE's. They instead brought in a more injury prone, lesser version of Welker and drafted two rookie WR's. Now one of those TE's is gone, being replaced by a TE coming off a bad knee injury. Further, neither new receiver has participated in team activities thus far.

The silver lining is that this team still has Brady, who has been fully capable of carrying them and their numerous flaws on his back since 2007 until they ultimately fell short in the playoffs. Maybe this year will be different, we'll see. But if the team's idea for the offense to evolve was to feature the 2 TE's even more than they have in previous years, then that idea is severely backfiring right now because of the Hernandez situation.

They do have a significantly better running game than in 2006, at least. I agree that there are a lot of question marks (how can anyone not?), but for every weakness that we have, we have guys on the roster who have a plenty reasonable chance of filling them. Interior pass rush has Armstead and Kelly. Capable press corner in the event of a Dennard/Talib injury = Dowling, maybe Ryan. Outside WR = Boyce, Dobson. Coverage specialist LB = Collins. Safety opposite McCourty = ... okay, probably nobody, unless Harmon comes out of nowhere. Pass rusher opposite Jones = still hoping for John Abraham, but Ninkovich, Hightower, and maybe even Collins might be able to tag-team that role.

Obviously, it would be foolish to think that all of those guys will pan out this year. The team will have holes. But some of those guys will most likely pan out. It almost certainly won't end up being nearly as bad as it looks right now. Think about how dramatically improved this team will be if just one of Armstead, Dobson, or Collins shows up and exceeds expectations, let alone two of them.

 

[Kontradiction]

Dobson and Noyce are supposed to be smart. They'll pick it up.

They are smart. But that isn't a guarantee that they'll pick up the offense, much less be able to get consistently deep against NFL defenses.

Sudfeld already did.

The team hasn't even practiced in pads. Let's dial back the enthusiasm a little bit when it comes to Sudfeld.

Ford from Clemson reminds me of hetnanndez a bit. Half the offense is just knowing where to be. Jenkins could shine here ...full confidence in tb and coaches.

It's at least somewhat sad that the team could be counting big time on Jenkins, a guy who has had trouble separating from CB's for years now, to contribute.

And amendola will be more productive and versatile than welker IMO.

Hopefully you're right here. I'm not holding my breath that a guy who has played exactly one full NFL season can be more productive and versatile than one of (if not the) best receiver this team has ever had in it's history. But I'm not going to rule out the fact that you could very possibly be right either.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Hernandez's playing ability WILL be missed. But every time someone misses him, they'll also remember the #!%!@%! that got Hernandez booted.

He'll be missed, but I'd rather miss him and see what Ballard/Sudfeld can do than subject myself to the mental gymnastics required to continue rooting for him.

Innocent until proven guilty, I know, but this isn't a court.

 

[Deus Irae]

Aaron Hernandez arrested, taken away in handcuffs



..... and there it is. Finally a report we can trust.

 

[Ivan]

And amendola will be more productive and versatile than welker IMO.

Yep, i'm sure Amendola will catch 125 balls and lead the league in YAC and first downs. Easily, no problem...........

 

[Delicate Genius]

Hernandez had it all and just threw it away. Unbelievable.