Factoid
Would you believe me if I told you that Aaron Hernandez had twice as many passes thrown his way inside the 10 last year than Rob Gronkowski? It’s true. Only two players in the last seven years, in fact, have seen more pass attempts in that part of the field.
Gronkowski put together probably the best season ever by a tight end, scoring 20 touchdowns, but most of those scores came from longer range. Inside the 10, he was the intended target on only 8 pass attempts; he caught 5 of those balls, with all but one of them going for a touchdown.
Hernandez, on the other hand, was the intended target on 17 passes in that part of the field. He wasn’t as effective; he caught 7 passes, with 5 going for touchdowns.
Nevertheless, Hernandez does play a big role in the team’s goal-line offense – at least he did last year. And that makes it a possibility that he’ll be a better “value” than Gronkowski in 2012 fantasy leagues. The difference between where they’ll be selected likely will be bigger than the difference in their production.
In the last seven years, by the way, only two players have seen more pass attempts in that part of the field. That would be Randy Moss (also with the Patriots, in 2007) and Larry Fitzgerald in 2008.
MOST ATTEMPTS INSIDE 10, 2005-2011
With pass attempts, receptions and end-zone completions (both TDs and 2-point conversions):
Att No EZ Year
20 8 8 2008 Larry Fitzgerald (Ariz.)
20 15 10 2007 Randy Moss (N.E.)
17 7 5 2011 Aaron Hernandez (N.E.)
17 8 6 2009 Greg Olsen (Chi.)
17 9 7 2008 Tony Gonzalez (K.C.)
17 6 5 2007 Braylon Edwards (Clev.)
17 9 6 2007 Marques Colston (N.O.)
17 2 1 2006 Chris Chambers (Mia.)
16 12 9 2008 Anquan Boldin (Ariz.)
16 8 7 2006 Torry Holt (St.L.)
15 9 6 2010 Larry Fitzgerald (Ariz.)
15 9 5 2009 Reggie Wayne (Ind.)
15 6 6 2009 Randy Moss (N.E.)
15 6 5 2005 Chris Chambers (Mia.)
14 6 6 2011 Roddy White (Atl.)
14 6 6 2011 Calvin Johnson (Det.)
14 6 4 2009 Brent Celek (Phil.)
14 9 7 2006 Terrell Owens (Dall.)
13 8 7 2011 Jimmy Graham (N.O.)
13 6 5 2011 Plaxico Burress (NYJ)
13 4 4 2010 Miles Austin (Dall.)
13 8 3 2010 Danny Amendola (St.L.)
13 5 5 2008 Dwayne Bowe (K.C.)
13 3 3 2008 Randy Moss (N.E.)
13 3 2 2006 Keyshawn Johnson (Car.)
13 5 4 2006 Reggie Wayne (Ind.)
13 8 6 2006 L.J. Smith (Phil.)
13 7 5 2005 Marvin Harrison (Ind.)
—Ian Allan
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