The Tim Tebow situation in New England took a backseat after Aaron Hernandez was arrested for murder, but as training camp starts for the team, the former Jets quarterback has already lined up in different formations at different positions and Bill Belichick says that he will be used in whatever way is "best" for the team.
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As all this goes down, Belichick, Brady and Tebow all commented on the Aaron Hernandez situation and that is one reason why Tebow is lining up in other places and everyone took the same idea that the situation was sad and tragic and that the team needs to move on. According to the Sporting News, Ross Tucker, the former OL for the team, said that Belichick is in full control of the media and that is one reason why the Hernandez situation has not engulfed the team.
The players are all in line with what Belichick wants them to say and now he has the chance to move on with the team as they try to put the Hernandez situation behind them. The team has expressed sadness and disappointment and so far all sides have done a good job of addressing the media and putting it aside as they concentrate no football. The team and the NFL have distanced themselves from Hernandez, as has Florida and other companies associated with him. Hernandez is facing life in prison for the murder of Odin Lloyd and he may face further charges for a double murder that occurred last year.
Hernandez is being held in solitary confinement in jail and out of the general population to keep him safe and now Belichick and the team likely won't comment, as he said after his statement that it is an ongoing investigation and they don't want to add to any complications to a situation that is already very complex, as there is a lot of evidence and during his time with the Patriots Hernandez was reportedly involved in other incidents and issues and there is a chance that players, coaches and others could be questioned or involved down the line depending on how it shakes out.
When Tebow originally signed with the Patriots after his Jets release, many felt that he would be the only story in a quiet summer, but instead Hernandez was arrested for murder and now the focus on the Patriots is even more glaring. The team will start training camp at Gillette Stadium with rookies on July 21 and vets July 25 and while coach Bill Belichick isn't worried about the overt media attention, some in the organization are.
"Unlike any other team or coach I played for, Belichick actually prepares the players for the media in team meetings," 15-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler Chad Brown confirmed to Tucker recently. "He's almost a media coach as well as a football coach."
Last season the Jets were utterly clueless about how to use Tebow and after the secret plays during training camp, he finished with 102 yards rushing and 39 passing before getting tossed. Now Belichick has the chance to turn him into something, although that is likely not a tight end despite the speculation that he could play there after the Hernandez murder case and Rob Gronkowski's injuries. Tim Tebow likely will be third string behind Ryan Mallett and Tom Brady, who at 36 still plays like he's 24.
Tebow is always the focus no matter where he goes and that first practice will be looked at by the media with a magnifying glass, as everyone is wondering what he will do and where he lines up. Even more interesting will be how much he plays in the preseason, which begins with a game against the Eagles on August 9. Only time will tell.
According to The MMQB, Brady spoke with Peter King about a number of topics, including how he will adjust to life without Hernandez as well as the absence of Wes Welker. Brady's big quote was that he "moved on" from the issue and that he will be ready to try and win games with whoever is on the team. Brady said he isn't close to retiring and that he wouldn't mind playing till he is over 40 if he is still going at a high level.
CLICK here for the Brady Interview on Monday Morning Quarterback with Peter King about Aaron Hernandez.
Brady said that he is committed to winning with the Patriots and that he could continue playing until he is well over 40, much like Brett Favre. King asked about his friendship with Peyton Manning and how that has grown and whether they will be friends when they are older as well. Brady said that he feels that it could happen and that one reason they are close is because Brady has no brothers.
The Patriots will start up camp this week without Hernandez and Brady will get to work with players like Danny Amendola in training camp for the first time. The team feels it has the talent to win without Hernandez and despite his versatility in the offense, they feel that they can still be strong at that position. The Patriots won the AFC East again last season and now they will have to compete with an improved Miami Dolphins team as well as rookies like Geno Smith and EJ Manuel on the Jets and Bills.
Hernandez is in jail for the murder of Odin Lloyd and he could face life in prison if convicted of first degree murder in the shooting. Hernandez finished his Patriots career with 175 catches for almost 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons after coming out of Florida. He was a teammate of current Patriots QB Tim Tebow while playing for the Gators.
