FOXBORO -- Aaron Hernandez was in a pretty good mood Friday afternoon.
He has a couple reasons to be happy. Not only does this weekend's Dolphins road game send the former Floridian back into familiar territory, but it's another game he will actually play in.
Hernandez has just five games under his belt in 2012.
The tight end returned to action Thanksgiving night against the Jets after missing three games with an ankle injury. Actually, that layoff was his second this season; the original injury happened in Week 2, with the first return coming in Week 6. A setback put Hernandez back on the shelf.
You can see why he was running around the locker room Friday like a five year old hopped up on sugar.
Here's some of what Hernandez had to say.
A win over Miami would mean you guys clinch the division. But how important is it to take care of business first?
AH: "It's very important. We're just going to treat it like any other game; get ready to play, follow the game plan, and hopefully come out with a win."
Did working in the field house today help with preparation for South Florida weather?
AH: "It's kind of nice to get out of the cold weather a little bit. But regardless where we play, I'm excited to come to play, and I'm excited about the game."
That was probably nice, huh?
AH: "It was. But it's always going to be a hard practice, so you have to get your mindset ready regardless. It was nice to be in the bubble. We got a little sweat in there, got some heat, so we could be prepared for Miami. It was a good practice."
How hot was it in there?
"That's confidential." Laughs
The third-down conversion rate for this team is best in the league at 53-percent. What do you attribute that to?
AH: "I'm not really sure. We come to play every week. We have so many weapons it's going to be hard to stop us, regardless. We've got a great coach, great players, and the players come to play, so that's why we have good percentages in everything."
You had a short week before the Thanksgiving game, but has having extra time on the other side of that, before this game, helped you with the ankle?
"Every extra day helps. I'm just glad to be back and be part of the team, and help us get some plays to help us win. I'm just happy to be back."
How about fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski? Is he in good spirits despite the broken forearm?
"Can't wait to have him back. I was hurt while he was playing; he's hurt while I'm playing. But when we get back together I'm sure it'll be great."