FOXBORO -- Patriots PR brought tight ends over to speak with the media after Friday's training camp session.No practice meant no media for Daniel Fells, but out trotted Visanthe Shiancoe. Rob Gronkowski wasn't far behind.
And don't forget Aaron Hernandez.
It's hard to pigeonhole him into a position these days. Hernandez is listed as a tight end and works with the tight ends, but he now spends a decent amount of time with the wide receivers.
Is he as quick as a receiver? No. But his body control and elusiveness after the catch aren't exactly tight end qualities.
Couldn't hurt to ask how he sees things.
Hernandez held a long pause before answering:"I consider myself a tight end that can do a few things."
Fair enough. Maybe he'll even try punt returns. He was out there on special teams Friday.
"I have done a punt return before, but they haven't let me do many punt returns in my career," he laughed.
(For the record, Hernandez doesn't think he's done it since high school.)
"I just love being able to have the ball in my hands and make plays. I'd like to have the opportunity to get back there, but Julian Edelman does a great job and we have other people like Wes Welker to step in."
Hernandez will make plenty of plays in 2012 (No, not as a returner). The 22-year old improved in his sophomore season and believes he'll move ahead further in Year Three. His excitement in describing new-old OC Josh McDaniels was uncapped without prompting.
"We have a great coach and our offensive coordinator's a monster. He knows how to create plays to get people open and he makes it exciting. I love playing for him."
The feeling is probably mutualfor McDaniels-- however he decides to use Hernandez.
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