NFL Top 100 Players of 2013: No.77 Aaron Hernandez (by NBAleagueTv)

Just been training, trying to get my body right, get my strength up so I can have a decent season next year,” Hernandez told the Herald yesterday. “I’d say more attention to specific muscles instead of just doing the basic bench, squat and all that other stuff. I’d say I started a little earlier this year to maybe try to get through 16 games this season. “It’s away from everything else — away from my family, my friends, gives me time to focus on football, focus on my main priorities in life.

Notebook: Aaron Hernandez has 16 reasons to focus | Boston Herald

With the loss of Welker and Lloyd, and Gronk potentially unavailable for the start of the season, there’s nothing the Patriots need more on offense than a full healthy season out of Hernando.

Aaron Hernandez | New England Patriots Highlights | 2011-2012 | HD (by ThePatriotWayMixes)

We have seen countless times the issues the Patriots cause defenses with Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski on the field together. As good as Gronkowski is, it’s Hernandez that poses the more dangerous threat. Why? Because he, like Gates, can win one-on-one versus corners, especially nickel corners. That’s where the problem arises. You match up to defend the pass, and you still face mismatches in man-to-man coverage. And we haven’t even factored in the running game, which the Patriots consistently utilized effectively with Stevan Ridley to hurt nickel defenses.

Aaron Hernandez ( TE #81 NE ) Trailer | Tribute/Highlights (by bmilla9)

Aaron Hernandez expected to miss game vs. Colts

Looks like we’ll be without Hernandez once again…

Remember all the talk about how Hernandez needed to prove he could stay healthy before getting a contract extension? Well he got the extension and he certainly hasn’t proven he can stay healthy.

It’s hard to believe he’s only played four games this year with 17 catches for 143-yards and two touchdowns. He’s quickly gone from having expectations of an unstoppable season to just hoping he’s healthy for the stretch run.

Hard to say if he’ll play against the Jets on Thanksgiving, but perhaps it’s best to shut him down then too, get him the break on the mini-bye and bring him back against the Dolphins.

Aaron Hernandez back at practice, to return against Seattle?
Albert Breer reports that looks like the target.

Pregame work for NE-DEN — Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez is a virtual certainty to miss the Bronco game, I’m told, but could be back for Wk 6.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 4, 2012
And more good news is that Hernando was back at practice today. Report from Jeff Howe:
Big news on the Patriots injury front today. Tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski returned to practice.
Hernandez had been out with an ankle injury, and Gronkowski missed yesterday’s session to rest his hip ailment.
Hernandez was limping a bit after running his first route during positional drills and was testing his ankle when he was off to the side. He looked fine after a drill a few minutes later when he had to really stutter-step and plant his feet before turning for the ball.

Aaron Hernandez back at practice, to return against Seattle?

Albert Breer reports that looks like the target.

And more good news is that Hernando was back at practice today. Report from Jeff Howe:

Big news on the Patriots injury front today. Tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski returned to practice.

Hernandez had been out with an ankle injury, and Gronkowski missed yesterday’s session to rest his hip ailment.

Hernandez was limping a bit after running his first route during positional drills and was testing his ankle when he was off to the side. He looked fine after a drill a few minutes later when he had to really stutter-step and plant his feet before turning for the ball.

Aaron Hernandez update

Well that’s a positive any way you cut it, eh?