New England Patriots evoking memories of offenses past

Bill Belichick again has a new tight end combination capable of big things within the New England Patriots

This just in: The New England Patriots have been extremely active in free agency and are also spending money. It’s quite the departure by the organization. Of course, when your franchise is coming off its first losing season since 2000 and the club misses the playoffs for the first time since 2008, dramatic action may be necessary.

This month, Bill Belichick has welcomed back veteran tackle Trent Brown, who left for the Raiders in 2019 but is now back in Foxborough via trade. Likewise linebacker Kyle Van Noy and center Ted Karras, the former discarded by the rival Miami Dolphins after one season in South Florida and the latter back after one season with the ‘Fins.

But the additions that have garnered have been at the same position. Via Spotrac, the Patriots inked Jonnu Smith (Tennessee Titans) to a four-year deal worth $50 million and added Hunter Henry (Los Angeles Chargers) to a three-year, $37.5 million contract. You could find both of numerous lists of the best players available this offseason at this position.

Think about it. A pair of quality targets for quarterback Cam Newton (back in the fold via a one-year deal) to work with. It certainly brings back some memories of 11 years ago when the Patriots used a second-round pick on Rob Gronkowski and a fourth-round selection on Aaron Hernandez.

As rookies in 2010, the duo combined for 87 catches, good for 1,109 yards and 16 scores — 10 touchdowns by Gronkowski. A year later, Gronk finished with 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 17 scores and Hernandez added 79 catches for 910 yards and seven touchdowns.

Get the picture? Now those are amazing totals and came with the help of legendary signal-caller Tom Brady. Now it’s interesting to note that current offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was not with the team during the duo’s first two seasons in New England. But he returned in 2012 (Hernandez’s last season with the team) and the tandem combined for 106 catches, 16 for scores.

Smith comes off a career year in Nashville, totaling 41 receptions for 448 yards and eight scores. Henry also managed a career-best 60 grabs, good for 613 yards while reaching the end zone four times. And Newton knows a little something about utilizing the tight end, relying on three-time Pro Bowler Greg Olsen for nine seasons in Carolina.

In 2020, the New England Patriots totaled the third-fewest passing yards in the league and the tight end position was an afterthought. That’s apparently about to change as the team evokes a success formula from nearly a decade ago.