Hernandez or Gronkowski? (1 Viewer)

[FarEastKilla]

Don't feel bad after a week, it really depend on BB's time of the month. However I see it like this, when going against a powerful offense Hernandez will be used often, against a defensive team GKowski. Against a balanced team? depending on coin flip. Remember BB doesn't use the one pony show like the rest of NFL. Don't sweat it.

Unreal. After scanning this entire thread, many people said Gronk would work his way to the top because of his blocking, and that he was a good reciever, also. Looks like yall hit the nail on the head. :(

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Mike Reiss, the #1 pats beat writer (ESPNBoston) said Gronk in todays mailbag b/c of being a primary red zone target.

The female reporter you had on one of your podcasts a few weeks ago said the same thing, that's where I heard it first, before the 2 TD preseason game. She said Gronkowski (since nicknamed The Rhino by me) was the goaline guy in practices and Hernandez was like a receiver in the middle of the field. Both guys were impressing coaches. I took note of that and in that next game The Rhino catches 2 TD passes, then the next week he catches another TD pass. I have went stud TE and Rhino in the 3 drafts since that Podcast and happy with that decision. I think The Rhino's value is definately worth more in Non PPR leagues.If he isn't the guy, I lose nothing because he was the 2nd from last round pick in every draft for me. An excellent example of low risk/high reward with a great QB like Tom Brady.

I love Gronkowski, he's already a top 10 favorite player of mine in the league. The White Rhino is the man from here on out, Hernandez just isn't getting the job done. Gronkowski can block and catch. It doesn't have to be around the goaline, but that's how it started in preseason. As the season has progressed, so has Gronkowski's role and Brady went to Gronkowski when the chips were on the line against a good team on the road. Of course he's not going to produce like this every week but don't expect Brady to forget what this guy can do, get Gronkowski if he's on your waiver wire. I have him in the 35K Contest and hope he takes me to the promise land!

 

[Jewell]

Mike Reiss, the #1 pats beat writer (ESPNBoston) said Gronk in todays mailbag b/c of being a primary red zone target.

Reiss predicted 10+ TDs for Gronk, FWIW.

This seemed shocking at first, but it now looks like a possibility. Gronk's at 6 now, and with Moss gone Brady seems to be looking for the his tallest receiver near the endzone.

 

[C-Bound]

Tempted to drop Hernandez for Gronk but more tempted to avoid the whole damn thing...

 

[CrossEyed]

Tempted to start one at TE and the other at flex just to make sure I get the one who has the big game that week.

 

[NeverEnough]

Picked up Gronk & am tempted to put him in the lineup over Tamme w/his back injury.

Anyone trade Gronk after this week? If so, what did you get?

 

[rabidfireweasel]

I think in the long term you could own either, but would likely prefer Hernandez.

Couple of observations from NE homer fans watching mini-camps:

Gronk is absolutely huge- a legit 6'6" 260. He will be used on play action near the goal line. I think you will see him and Crumpler as the TE's in very short yardage. He has good hands, and a willing, capable but uneven and unpolished blocker. He will completely blow up a line backer on one play and whiff on another. By mid-season, if they go single TE (which I believe they will do less often) I think it will be Gronk.

Hernandez has great hands and runs great routes. Right now, he is a useless blocker. He typically lines up in the slot, but could be split out wide. Brady looks for him regularly.

The big question for this year, is how many balls will go around- NE wants to run a bit more, and with Moss, Welker, Edelman, Gonk, Hernanez and Tate, how much is left for the second tier guys. In the longer run, I think Hernandez could be excellent and Gronk will be a lesser FF starter and great back up (I see TE 8-14 numbers for him).

I appreciate the input, but have we ever seen one team with two top 15 TE's in a season? Seems a bit farfetched. Only way I could see that happening is if one of them (Hernandez) gets a lot of the catches and yards, and the other (gronk) gets a lot of touchdowns.

At mid-season in a non-PPR, they are #9 and #13 right now. I think that they are going to be hard to predict. It is often easy to explain why Belichick did something after the fact, but it is hard to guess what he is going to do before it happens. It would have been reasonable to expect a lot of Hernandez against Pitt, and he was barely featured. I continue to expect Gronkowski especially to be a feast or famine player. One thing worth noting was that in the last game, on the first TD pass to Gronk, he wasn't open at all (except that maybe you are always a little open when you are 6'6") and Brady still was willing to throw him the ball.FWIW, the Patriots love everything Crumpler brings to the team as a captain, a leader, a professional and a blocker. Belichick is about as complimentary of him as I have ever heard him regarding a player. While Crumpler is irrelevant as a fantasy option, it is important for FF owners to realize that, at least for this year, he is often going to be one of the 11 guys on the field.

 

[Jewell]

Reiss predicted 10+ TDs for Gronk, FWIW.

One TD away from an unbelievable call.