papazoid Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 The New England Patriots and Pro Bowl tight end Aaron Hernandez have reached agreement on a long-term contract extension, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer. A fourth-round draft pick out of the University of Florida in 2010, Hernandez has started 19 of 28 games over his first two seasons and has 124 receptions for 1,473 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight rushing attempts for 92 yards. Hernandez, who turns 23 in November, has two years remaining on his four-year, $2.785 million rookie contract. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000055251/article/aaron-hernandez-patriots-agree-to-longterm-deal?module=HP11_breaking_news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggieScooby Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Talk about an abundance of riches; Gronk & Hernandez plus Jake Ballard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted August 27, 2012 Author Share Posted August 27, 2012 Offensive core in place. Taking a step back, the deal for Hernandez secures yet another piece of the offensive nucleus in New England for the long term. Along with Hernandez and Gronkowski, the Patriots also have Tom Brady, Brandon Lloyd, Logan Mankins, Nate Solder, Dan Connolly, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Daniel Fells under contract through at least the 2014 season. The Patriots have long been able to field a competitive roster, while also keeping an eye on the future and building toward long-term consistency. This deal is another chip in place for the offense to maintain success now and going forward. http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4728099/rapid-reaction-hernandez-agrees-to-deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Wow, tying up $$$ in receivers. AH gets $7.5, Gron over $9, and Welker was franchised..........what's that another $10? they got $27-30 mil a year in 3 guys catching the ball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHateMe Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 When you have those guys with Brady throwing them the ball you can get to the Superbowl in an "off year" like last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Offensive core in place. Taking a step back, the deal for Hernandez secures yet another piece of the offensive nucleus in New England for the long term. Along with Hernandez and Gronkowski, the Patriots also have Tom Brady, Brandon Lloyd, Logan Mankins, Nate Solder, Dan Connolly, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Daniel Fells under contract through at least the 2014 season. The Patriots have long been able to field a competitive roster, while also keeping an eye on the future and building toward long-term consistency. This deal is another chip in place for the offense to maintain success now and going forward. http://espn.go.com/b...-agrees-to-deal Good thing they have Ridley, Vereen, and Fells locked up. Those guys are studs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Wow, tying up $$$ in receivers. AH gets $7.5, Gron over $9, and Welker was franchised..........what's that another $10? they got $27-30 mil a year in 3 guys catching the ball They're smart to lock up AH now before the price goes higher and Welker will be gone next season. Good thing they have Ridley, Vereen, and Fells locked up. Those guys are studs. Actually, Ridley looks pretty good. The Pats skill position guys might be as good as ever, it'll come down to their ability to protect Brady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitewalkerInPhilly Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Anyone think that we could have a shot at Welker in 2013? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 That seem like a lot of cap money on the QB and pass catchers. I'm sure they will do the opposite of the Bills and keep their RB salaries in the low rent district and just find any guy that can block in the passing game and not fumble. Hopefully this limits their ability to build a veteran defense. The Patriots have drafted poorly on that side of the ball and rookie d-lineman and DB's don't develop that fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pneumonic Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 (edited) That seem like a lot of cap money on the QB and pass catchers. I'm sure they will do the opposite of the Bills and keep their RB salaries in the low rent district and just find any guy that can block in the passing game and not fumble. Hopefully this limits their ability to build a veteran defense. The Patriots have drafted poorly on that side of the ball and rookie d-lineman and DB's don't develop that fast. The bolded part noted above is pertinenet here I think. It's not easy for young pups to step into Belichick's defense and thrive. It takes time. It seems the young, defensive players the Pats have drafted/acquired of late are, in fact, starting to finally develop. Guys like Spikes, McCourty, Chung, Dowling, Arrington, Brace, Deaderick, Love, Cunningham appear to all be making strides and look to be poised for considerable starting reps this season. Add to this impressive looking rookies, Jones and Hightower, and you are fielding close to 11 starters in this grouping. Edited August 28, 2012 by Pneumonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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