Aaron Hernandez gave the Patriots exactly what they wanted — the flexibility to use 12 personnel and have Hernandez considered more often than not as a wide receiver. Trying to cover someone of that size in the slot though presents difficulties, as does having to also cope with the run with one less linebacker. The combination with Rob Gronkowski, given Gronk’s ability as a blocker (one of the few receiving tight ends still able to in-line block effectively), gave the defense a dilemma — play with an extra LB and watch your third man up struggle to stay with either Gronkowski or Hernandez, or go nickel and allow the Patriots to run while also having your slot corner one-on-one with a freak athlete.