Super Bowl 2012: Can Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez Make Up for a Hurt Gronkowski?

The New England Patriots revolutionized the role of the tight end in 2011, fielding Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in place of traditional wide receivers and confounding opposing defenses game after game as a result.

But now, just days before Sunday's Super Bowl, Gronkowski still hasn't practiced, hobbled by a high ankle sprain that he suffered in the AFC championship game that will require surgery at season's end.

Gronkowski's status for the Super Bowl is still up in the air—even if he does play, it's unknown how much of a contribution he will realistically be able to make. He was out of his walking boot on Tuesday, which is a good sign, but he's not yet at 100 percent.

Further, if he re-injures his ankle early in the game, it's going to take a concerted effort from the rest of the Patriots offense to fill his considerable void.

His fellow tight end, Hernandez, has the talent to make up for much of Gronkowski's production, but with Gronkowski limited or potentially absent, the New York Giants defense is going to have a much better opportunity to stop him.

In 2011, Gronkowski set single-season records for touchdowns and yards by a tight end; Hernandez, while effective, didn't come close to rivaling that level of production. He had 79 receptions for 910 yards and seven scores in the regular season, and he had a total of 11 catches for 121 yards and a score in two postseason games.

Where Hernandez has an advantage over Gronkowski is in the run game. Though Hernandez had just five carries for 45 yards in the regular season, he had eight for 70 in the playoffs. It's clear that the Patriots want to create another wrinkle for defenses in the postseason by handing the ball off to Hernandez and it's been fairly successful.

Without Gronkowski at full health, the Patriots may try to throw the ball a touch less, allowing Hernandez to get more carries and throwing off the Giants' plans to stop what has been a pass-heavy offense all year long.

However, Hernandez running the ball is more of a novelty act than a consistent, every-drive strategy for New England. The biggest impact Hernandez will have in the Super Bowl will be as a receiver, and his responsibilities are likely to increase with Gronkowski's injury.

Hernandez has the speed and hands of a typical wide receiver, but he lacks the bruising ability to run through potential tackles like Gronkowski has. He will have rely more on his elusiveness than his strength to make big gains; considering he averaged 11.5 yards per catch in the regular season, it shouldn't be hard for him to do so.

Ultimately, if Gronkowski is hindered by his ankle injury on Sunday, it will come down to not just Hernandez but the entirety of the Patriots receiving corps to make up for what he brings to the team.

Hernandez will get much of the attention in the days leading up to the game, simply because he plays the same position as Gronkowski.

But winning a football game is a team effort, and just as the Patriots should not be relying solely on Gronkowski to bring them a Super Bowl championship, they shouldn't be singularly relying on Hernandez to make up for his potential limitations.