The New England Patriots are dealing with a tough situation at tight end with the injury to Rob Gronkowski and the murder case with Aaron Hernandez and since Gronkowski may miss time, someone will have to step up and the likely man is tight end Daniel Fells and not quarterback Tim Tebow.
Many have speculated that Tebow will suit up at tight end and while that may happen, Fells appears to be the man who will get some extra time in the absence of the others. Last season he had issues getting on the field and made just four catches for 85 yards in 14 games, but now he has the chance to fix all that this season along with Jake Ballard, who is coming off a serious injury. Fells had some solid production for the Tams, making 41 catches for nearly 400 yards in 2010 and now he has the chance to step up, as he knows the playbook and has an opportunity.
''After being in the system a year, I feel more comfortable hearing the plays, and just being able to fly without thinking,'' Fells said following today's training camp workout. ''It's a lot more reactive. I'm a year off my injury, so I'm able to run around with a little more confidence. I'm hoping it reflects as I go out there every single day, but like I said, I've got to get better every single day.''
Hernandez is gone and Rob Gronkowski is coming back from multiple surgeries this offseason, meaning that all those sets with two tight ends that team's had such a hard time covering may not be a part of the game plan this season. The thing that made the two players so good and so hard to replace was their athleticism, as both were like wide receivers in tight end bodies. Gronkowski likely will be able to get back for the start of the season, but Hernandez is gone and never coming back, leaving a big void as the two combined for 42 wins and 51 touchdowns during their time together.
Head coach Bill Belichick made a risky move when he signed Jake Ballard two years ago after his ACL injury in the Super Bowl, but now that looks genius, as he may step in for Hernandez. During his three year career with the team after leaving Florida, Hernandez made has 175 receptions for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Patriots and now he likely will be spending life in prison for his crimes.
On top of that, there were numerous questions regarding the wide receivers anyway, as Wes Welker was allowed to walk and Brandon Lloyd was cut. The team drafted Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce and also brought in Danny Amendola , but those players are untested and Amendola needs to prove that he can stay healthy. Quarterback Tom Brady has shown over time that he can win with anyone and throw passes to about anyone, but the questions will continue to pile up for the team as training camp approaches.
The team was as balanced on offense last season as it had been in years, ranking fourth in passing yards per game and seventh in rushing yards per game behind Stevan Ridley, but now that Hernandez is gone and there are question marks, the team likely will have to make up that production in other ways. Belichick will also focus on the defense during training camp, as the team ranked 29th in passing yards allowed per game and if they can improve on that just a bit, they should be in good shape heading into 2013.