Aaron Hernandez arrested; released by Pats (pg 6)

[Rondo2287]

FWIW

Aaron Schatz‏@FO_ASchatz4m
Pats were 5-1 without Hernandez last year, beating DEN, IND, BUF twice, and STL, losing to BAL by 1 pt. Avg: 42.3 points.

In how many of those games did Welker play?  How about Gronkowski?

Not sure probably most of them

[CelticG1]

I'm not too worried about the pats

Were missing Gronk and Hernandez for huge chunks last year (or every year) and put up ridiculous ofdensive numbers

Brady has makes everyone good. He hasn't even regressed really. Hes probably better than he was when he took some no name receivers to the afc championship in2006.

[Rondo2287]

Looks like my Hernandez "Make it rain" t-shirt is going in the pile with my Penn State apparel

[Cman]

Pats are sunk before they even begin the season.

Won't have their top 5 receivers from last year to start the season, and they've officially lost their trump card, which was playing two pro-bowl caliber tight ends who were each really versatile and extremely difficult to matchup with.

If Pats lost Brady they would be sunk.  They will still make the playoffs.

Sure they will, but making the playoffs means nothing around here.

I'd be surprised if Pats really threaten to make the Super Bowl this year.  That's what matters.

Another year of Brady wasted before it's begun.

I don't get "year of Brady wasted" stuff, never have. I think the Pats have consistently done an excellent job of managing their roster, salaries, team, and are pretty much always in the SuperBowl hunt, let alone playoff hunt. I just don't understand why that equates to "wasted".

In any case, perhaps a topic for another thread....

[Snakehead]

Sure is a lot resting on Gronk and Amendola who both have some strange injury history now.

Better hope letting Welker walk was the right move if you're a Pats fan.

[Fafnir]

FWIW

Aaron Schatz‏@FO_ASchatz4m
Pats were 5-1 without Hernandez last year, beating DEN, IND, BUF twice, and STL, losing to BAL by 1 pt. Avg: 42.3 points.

In how many of those games did Welker play?  How about Gronkowski?

Not sure probably most of them

Gronk played in every game Hernandez missed.

[Cman]

Brutal week for Boston Sports teams this week....Bruins/Celtics/Pats...

Yeah, my thoughts exactly!
Now on to the Red Sox. Any word on when Buchholz will be back?

[PhoSita]

Pats are sunk before they even begin the season.

Won't have their top 5 receivers from last year to start the season, and they've officially lost their trump card, which was playing two pro-bowl caliber tight ends who were each really versatile and extremely difficult to matchup with.

If Pats lost Brady they would be sunk.  They will still make the playoffs.

Sure they will, but making the playoffs means nothing around here.

I'd be surprised if Pats really threaten to make the Super Bowl this year.  That's what matters.

Another year of Brady wasted before it's begun.

I don't get "year of Brady wasted" stuff, never have. I think the Pats have consistently done an excellent job of managing their roster, salaries, team, and are pretty much always in the SuperBowl hunt, let alone playoff hunt. I just don't understand why that equates to "wasted".

In any case, perhaps a topic for another thread....

Giving Brady a team that's good enough to make the playoffs and perhaps win a home game can still be a waste, in my opinion, if the team doesn't have what it takes to compete with the very best teams in the league.

The Pats have a very short window to get to the Super Bowl again and try to win one more for Brady and Bill.  Unless a new star emerges from among the unknowns or unprovens on the team this year, they won't have the firepower to do it.

That's disappointing.

[Jon]

So, Tim Tebow, the tight end, right? 

[Rondo2287]

Ron From Las Vegas‏@RonFromLasVegas
LAS VEGAS ODDS: ON THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOT'S MOVED VERY LITTLE: THE PATRIOTS ARE NOW 17-2 FAVORITES TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL:RON

[Evantime34]

On the football side I think we still run a lot of two tight end sets with Ballard and Gronk once he is healthy. This obviously isn't as versatile a combination or as good a receiving one but it is a better run blocking one. Since our receivers are weak anyway it might be a good thing that we are throwing out two big tight ends so we can be a run first team.

It would be great to see the Pats win with defense, a strong running game and timely throws to average receivers, just like the glory years!

[PhoSita]

So, Tim Tebow, the tight end, right?

I think it'll be more like Hoomanawanui, Ballard etc.

[Cman]

On the football side I think we still run a lot of two tight end sets with Ballard and Gronk once he is healthy. This obviously isn't as versatile a combination or as good a receiving one but it is a better run blocking one. Since our receivers are weak anyway it might be a good thing that we are throwing out two big tight ends so we can be a run first team.

It would be great to see the Pats win with defense, a strong running game and timely throws to average receivers, just like the glory years!

Yeah, and Zach Sudfeld's chances of making the team just went up.

[Rondo2287]

For what its worth, According to Pro Football Focus, with Hernandez out last year pats were predominantly a 1 TE/ 1 RB offnese

[Jon]

So, Tim Tebow, the tight end, right?

I think it'll be more like Hoomanawanui, Ballard etc.

I was mostly joking and agree.  I could also see Vereen taking a bigger role and doing more of what Hernandez did with moving around to different spots on the field (backfield, slot receiver, even on the outside).  I could see two back sets with Vereen and Ridley where Vereen is a passing option.