Jets vs. Patriots: Aaron Hernandez Is Healthy and Ready to Make an Impact

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net.

New England Patriots rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez has been suffering from a nagging hip injury, and he is now healthy and ready to go. 

Hernandez missed the last two games for New England with a hip injury, but he has been fully participating in practice this week, and he has been focused. 

""When you're laid-back and not around everyone, you forget about the intensity and focus, being locked in play-to-play. Coming back in, I just knew I had to be locked in. I had a good week of practice being locked in, learning the plays, getting the plays back in my mind, and now I feel comfortable." 

Hopefully Hernandez is "locked in" and ready go to for Sunday. He has caused trouble against the Jets' secondary this year, catching nine passes for 152 yards in the two regular season games against New York this season. 

More specifically, Hernandez had three receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown in the Dec. 6 45-3 beatdown of the Jets.

The former Florida Gator is key for the Patriots Sunday; he is a matchup problem.

Expect New England to utilize their two tight ends this week, Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, but especially Hernandez.

The Patriots will give the Jets multiple looks with Hernandez, such as lining him up as a tight end or a wingback, which will cause a linebacker to cover him if it's man coverage. But if it's zone, Hernandez is just so fast and has such a large frame that he will find the holes fast and easily in New York's zone coverage.

Hernandez will also split out wide as a wide receiver, and New England can use him many different ways in that position. They could use him as a blocker on a screen pass, use him as a "pick" or a screen on a quick pass to Wes Welker or Deion Branch or just simply as a receiver underneath because he can abuse the opposing cornerback's small frame against his large frame.

New England vs. New York will be this Sunday at 4:30 at the "Razor," Gillette Stadium. 

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