Giants vs Patriots: Why Aaron Hernandez Will Come Up Bigger Than Rob Gronkowski

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski set the single-season scoring and yardage records for a tight end in the 2011 regular season, with 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 18 total touchdowns.

He was quarterback Tom Brady's most productive—though not most-targeted—receiver and is partially responsible for their solid 13-3 season and also their playoff success.

However, it will be fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez that will make a bigger impact in Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the New York Giants.

This is for several reasons, the most glaring being that Gronkowski suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team's AFC championship victory over the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago. Gronkowski has been out of practice most of the week and only came out of his walking boot on Tuesday.

While there's zero chance of Gronkowski not taking the field on Sunday, it's easy to assume that he will be limited in his effectiveness. A high-ankle sprain is a serious injury and doubly so for a receiver.

With his mobility likely well below his standard level, Gronkowski may still see himself targeted nearly 10 times, but won't be able to do too much after the catch.

That means that Hernandez is going to see more passes thrown his way. He's never had more than 10 receptions in a game, but he's made the most of every catch, averaging 11.5 yards per reception.

Hernandez's build and style of play makes him more akin to a traditional wide receiver than Gronkowski. What he lacks in power, he more than makes up for in speed and elusiveness and the Patriots would be well-served to increase Hernandez's role in the passing game on Sunday.

But there is one area that even a fully healthy Gronkowski can't match Hernandez and that's in the running game. Though Brady handed off to Hernandez just five times for 45 yards in the regular season, in the playoffs Hernandez rushed eight times for 70 yards in two games.

The Patriots clearly wanted to throw yet another wrinkle in opposing defenses' playoff plans and they were rather successful with the experiment. I fully expect Hernandez to carry the ball as many as five times in the Super Bowl for 30 to 40 total yards.

All in all, it's hard to say just how involved Gronkowski will be in Sunday's game. A re-aggravation to his injured ankle could see him sidelined early and even if he can play a full four quarters, the Giants defense is going to be locked into him all day.

Hernandez represents a change of pace and a player who could find himself open when defenders think Brady will be looking to Gronkowski or Wes Welker.

He's not a secret weapon by any means. However, his versatility and the fact that he's played second (or rather, third) fiddle to Brady's other two main receiving targets makes him primed to have a better day than Gronkowski on Sunday and perhaps his best showing of the 2011-2012 season.