Aaron Hernandez: Emerging Star Gives Pats Another Weapon

Tom Brady is like Jason Bourne. He doesn’t need an M16 to kill you; fingernail clippers are more than enough. Brady has more than fingernail clippers to work with in his offensive arsenal though, with Aaron Hernandez coming back from an injury.

Wes Welker has put up the best numbers in the NFL this season at the wide receiver position. Deion Branch and Chad Ochocinco aren’t having the best years of their career, but they’re still part of the highest ranked passing attack in the league. One of the biggest reasons why New England’s offense is ranked so high is because of its emerging young tight ends.

Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski arguably make up the best tight-end duo in the entire NFL.  They complement each other well as Hernandez brings speed linebackers can’t run with and Gronkowski adds size that safeties can’t body. The two have combined for 32 receptions for 461 yards and seven touchdowns this season and Hernandez didn’t even play the last two games.

According to the Boston Globe’s Greg Bedard, Hernandez will play today for the first time since Week 2, but Bedard mentioned that the tight end won’t have much of an impact. Well, the 6’1”, 245 pound former Florida Gator isn’t out there to block. If he’s in the game, it’s to catch passes, so Hernandez could still put up solid numbers against the New York Jets.

With Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie at cornerback, Brady will look to his tight ends even more than usual today. New York’s safeties are solid, but they’re nothing special. Hernandez and Gronkowski will be in position to torch the Jets secondary with all of the focus being on Welker in the slot.

A win for New York would actually give them the lead in the division over the Patriots as each team would be 3-2. New England has averaged 33.8 points a game this season. If the contest turns into a shootout, Mark Sanchez has no hope vs. Brady and company.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer.  Follow him on Twitter.