Ex-Patriots OC makes admission on Rob Gronkowski-Aaron Hernandez duo
Former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien revealed some secrets as to how the Patriots offense was functioning at a high level with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as the tight ends.
He sat down with Jon Meterparel on The Bill O'Brien Podcast with Jon Meterparel and admitted teams didn't know how to play against the Gronkowski and Hernandez duo.
'When we got Hernandez and we went 12 personnel, then teams didn't know how to play us," said O'Brien. "They would try base, and we would run them out of that with passes. And then they would go to nickel, and we could run it or throw it. Then, they would go to dime, and Bill Belichick was a genius on the sideline when it came to this stuff. He's like 'They're going dime, go fast, you're trapping them in dime.' So, we would trap teams in dime and just go tempo and run the football.'
Gronkowski and Hernandez came into the league together in 2010. They played three seasons with one another and formed one of the greatest tight end duos of all time. It would be hard to find a greater mismatch for a defense than having to deal with Gronkowski and Hernandez at the same time. They were a true nightmare matchup for opponents.
Hernandez was arrested and indicted on murder charges, abruptly ending his career with 175 receptions for 1,956 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Gronkowski went on to win four Super Bowls in a career where he posted 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 421 touchdowns. Many believe he is the greatest tight end in NFL history.
One can only imagine how unstoppable the duo might have become if they had played with each other longer.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NFL LB unit rankings: Where Arizona Cardinals opponents rank
PFF ranked all 32 NFL teams' LB units. See where the Cardinals' 2025 opponents rank. The offseason of lists and rankings continues as we wait for training camps to begin. These rankings are from PFF, lining up the linebacker units for all 32 NFL teams. We know that the Arizona Cardinals' group is not highly rated, but what about their 2025 opponents? Let's have a look at the opposing linebacker units they will face. NFL LB unit rankings: 2025 Arizona Cardinals opponents Analysis The Cardinals' unit is No. 29 overall, but that won't impact their performance against their opponents' linebackers. That's something for the offense to pay attention to. They will face only three top-10 units in four games (49ers, Saints, Jags). They face eight bottom-10 units in 10 games (they have two games each against the Rams and Seahawks). Considering the Cardinals' run game and how good tight end Trey McBride is, they should see a good amount of success against these opponents, should these rankings hold true to form. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Report: Panthers have talked to representatives for free-agent S Justin Simmons
The Carolina Panthers seem to be in the market for some top-end secondary help. As first reported by team beat writer Sheena Quick on Monday afternoon, the Panthers have talked to the representatives of free-agent safety Justin Simmons. Quick, however, also noted that "nothing is imminent" between the two sides. Advertisement Quick's reporting backs that of ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who recently stated that the Panthers have interest in the two-time Pro Bowler. "Simmons is interesting, because I think coming out of Atlanta, I do think he's looking for that big scheme," Fowler said on this past Thursday's episode of Kincade & Salciunas. "That's why the Eagles are on the shortlist there. It's Philadelphia, it's Carolina—has interest in Simmons. Ejiro Evero came from the Vic Fangio school. So that's where I think you should look for Simmons." Simmons, who spent eight of his nine NFL campaigns with the Denver Broncos, played under Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in 2022. That season saw Simmons post a league-leading six interceptions along with a career-high three forced fumbles. He suited up for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, where he notched 62 combined tackles and two interceptions over 16 starts. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content. This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers reportedly talked to reps of free-agent S Justin Simmons
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Panthers reporter hints at team's next possible addition
The Carolina Panthers might not be done with the reconstruction of their defense. Darin Gantt of covered the team's recent defensive overhaul in this week's "Ask The Old Guy," his regular mailbag series. And when asked about possible additions to the secondary, Gantt throws out a few interesting names and thoughts: If they're going to be out shopping for more help, the good news is there are multiple qualified guys at the spot they're thinnest at (safety). Guys including Julian Blackmon (who visited in March), known commodity Justin Simmons (who was an All-Pro in Denver for Ejiro Evero), and several more are still sitting there on the market. They spent the spring looking at young options there, but could stand to be more experienced and deeper. Advertisement As Gantt notes, Blackmon met with the Panthers earlier this offseason. The 26-year-old has spent each of his five NFL campaigns as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, amassing 300 combined tackles and 10 interceptions since 2020. Carolina, according to multiple reports, has also expressed in Simmons—who spent the 2022 season under Evero. That year saw the two-time Pro Bowler and four-time second-team All-Pro notch a league-leading six interceptions along with a career-high three forced fumbles. The team's safety room currently features free-agent signee Tre'von Moehrig, 2025 fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom, Demani Richardson, Nick Scott and a trio of undrafted rookies (Isaac Gifford, Jack Henderson and Trevian Thomas). Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content. This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers reporter hints at team's next possible addition
