The Patriots extended Rob Gronkowski for six years and 54 million dollars back in June. Two-and-a-half months later, they extended Aaron Hernandez for five years and 40 million. The years to each deal are added on to the each rookie's remaining two years, which means yes, they'll be around for a while.
That sound you probably heard when those extensions were announced? NFL coaches and owners from around the league slamming their heads into a wall. With talented, physical specimens like Gronkowski and Hernandez, the Patriots offense is one to be feared for many more years to come.
Titans head coach Mike Munchak hasn't had the pleasure of trying to figure out how to disengage the tandem tight ends, but he seems to be well-aware that his hands will be full in trying to keep both Gronkowski's and Hernandez's hands empty.
"I think in general those guys do a great job on covering," Munchak said of Hernandez and Gronkowski. "Big guys, both their tight ends have done a nice job of that. And the film you watch of the mismatching with the linebackers. They create problems to cover, then with Brady's ball being so accurate even when you do cover them well, they have great hands and they make plays. Next thing you know it's second-and-two or first-and-ten and it's frustrating because you think you're doing all the right things and they still make plays on you."
Sounds like Munchak has talked to a couple NFL coaches about them, eh? But he'll have his own stories to tell come Sunday night.