New England Patriots Rumors: Aaron Hernandez Arrest For Murder Makes Tight End Focus In Training Camp, Jake Ballard and Rob Gronkowski Key For Tom Brady and Bill Belichick

The New England Patriots have been looked at as a model NFL franchise for over a decade and while that attitude still persists, that idea might be fading away a bit as former tight end Aaron Hernandez sits in jail on murder charges awaiting trial.

The team signed Tim Tebow earlier in the offseason and thought that would be their biggest distraction, but that news came a few weeks later, as a body was discovered near the home of Aaron Hernandez, leading authorities to investigate and arrest him for murder. The team obviously is upset at what happened and has respect for the victim's family, but they also have a football team to run and now tight end is a question mark where it once was a strength.

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.