Rookie tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez not only added a new dimension to the Patriots' offense in 2010, they changed how the offense was run. The Patriots ran a league-high 631 plays with two or more tight ends on the field last season after averaging 363 such plays in 2008-09.
Brady thrived with two or more tight ends, throwing 22 of his 36 touchdowns with a 116.2 passer rating. Brady was also at his best when throwing to Gronkowski and Hernandez, posting two of the five best passer ratings among any quarterback-receiver duo with at least 50 attempts. Brady had a league-best 143.3 rating with Gronkowski and a 130.5 rating with Hernandez (fifth-best).
Gronkowski and Hernandez combined for 16 touchdown receptions, with all but one coming inside the red zone. In 2008-09, Patriots tight ends combined to catch six touchdowns inside the red zone.
• Chad Ochocinco should provide a nice complement to Wes Welker and the Patriots' tight ends. Ochocinco has the ninth-most receptions (79) on throws over 10 yards downfield the past three seasons. During that span, Welker led the NFL in receptions on throws 10 yards or shorter.
• If Albert Haynesworth can return to form, he could help a conservative Patriots pass rush. The Pats sent four or fewer pass-rushers on 73.7 percent of opponent dropbacks last season, the fourth-highest rate in the league.
