Bill Belichick’s most brilliant innovation yet: – 01.23.12 – SI Vault

Great, in-depth stuff from Peter King on Gronk and Hernando.

Against Denver the Patriots were in a two-tight-end set all night. Or, rather, the two tight ends were on the field almost all night. (Hernandez missed the last series after taking a hit to the head.) In the first two series Gronkowski and Hernandez played all 12 snaps, Gronkowski mostly as a traditional tight end and Hernandez at six different positions. In fact on the five plays of the first series Hernandez lined up, in succession, at fullback; receiver tight to the formation; slot back as a sidecar to Brady; running back, weaving left out of a lone-back formation for a 43-yard gain; and flanker on the left side, taking a linebacker with him on a quick out and opening the middle for Welker, who caught a seven-yard touchdown pass. At 6’1" and 245, Hernandez is fast and quick out of cuts, a superb complement to the brutish 6’6", 265-pound Gronkowski, who blocks as well as he catches.