The Sports Xchange
NFL Team Report – New England Patriots – INSIDE SLANT
Former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez faces first-degree murder and five other charges in connection with the shooting death of 27-year-old acquaintance Odin Lloyd.
“Based on the nature of the crime, the nature of the case, and the likelihood and the means” Hernandez has to flee, the state asked that Hernandez be held without bail, and the court agreed.
Hernandez pleaded not guilty to all charges. In addition to murder, he’s charged with carrying a firearm without a license; two counts of possession of a large capacity firearm; and two counts of possession of a firearm without a valid ID card.
Police claim to possess footage of Hernandez stating “you can’t trust anyone anymore,” while holding a firearm before picking up Lloyd after 2:30 a.m. ET, according to the district attorney. The case outlined against him points to an exchange between Hernandez and Lloyd at a club two nights earlier.
Hernandez is alleged to have arranged to pick up Lloyd in a rented vehicle along with two co-conspirators.
Lloyd allegedly texted a family member asking “did you see who I was with?” According to the district attorney, Lloyd followed with a text that said “NFL.”
During the arraignment, it was also detailed that Hernandez was captured by surveillance video in the area claiming a rented Nissan Altima, at the scene of the crime near his home and returning the car to the rental agency where a shell casing and the same type of bubblegum Hernandez purchased at a gas station was found under the driver’s seat. That stop was also caught on camera.
Defense attorney Michael Fee called the case “weak” and evidence against his client circumstantial in asking for bail, which was denied. Fee also requested a gag order be issued.
Based largely on surveillance videos and cell-phone texts, the prosecution team recited a lengthy and detailed account of actions and interactions involving Hernandez and Lloyd during the days leading up to June 17 when Lloyd’s body was found in an industrial park about a half mile from the North Attleboro home of Hernandez.
The DA connected a black semi-automatic weapon, and shell casings from that weapon found near the body, to Hernandez based on fingerprints and other evidence.
The prosecution also detailed the crime scene and autopsy, which revealed entry wounds in each nipple. Lloyd was first shot in the back, but was still alive and bracing for impact by raising his arms when he was shot again, according to the DA. Two bullets that penetrated his chest passed through Lloyd’s body completely.
Hernandez is represented by well-known criminal attorney Jamie Sultan of Rankin and Sultan, as well as Boston law firm Ropes and Gray for whom Fee has been the most obvious spokesman.
The 23-year-old was taken into custody by multiple officers Wednesday. Ninety minutes later, the Patriots announced Hernandez would no longer be on the roster, a swift and stunning fall from stardom.
“A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss,” the statement read. “Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.”
As a three-year veteran, Hernandez is subject to NFL waivers and could be claimed by another team before Thursday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. He signed a five-year contract that included a $12.5 million signing bonus last year and partnered with All-Pro Rob Gronkowski to form the NFL’s top tight-end tandem.
–The offense in New England, and the Tom Brady-led passing attack, is supposed to be a given. Death, taxes and one of the NFL’s most potent scoring units have been the norm in Gillette Stadium dating back to the record-setting 2007 unit that got the ball flying.
But for the first time in seven seasons there are more questions than potential in the weapons surrounding No. 12 in Foxborough. While the team made a calculated decision to allow Wes Welker and his annual 100 receptions to leave via free agency (and to a lesser extent by releasing veteran Brandon Lloyd and his misleading 74 catches after just one season), other issues with young, Pro Bowl-caliber tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez have decimated the core of Brady’s trusted targets.
Gronkowski’s offseason multiple forearm surgeries and back surgery leave him doubtful to be healthy to begin the regular season. Hernandez’ role in a murder investigation of an acquaintance whose body was found a short way from the former Florida star’s home led to the Patriots releasing him Tuesday after he was arrested.
With Welker and Lloyd gone and Gronkowski unlikely to be in uniform on opening day, Brady would be without his top four targets from a year ago who combined to account for 298 receptions for 3,538 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Sure Danny Amendola has the youthful potential to recreate Welker’s success in the slot, but that’s a lot of production to make up for on a team that reached the Super Bowl and the AFC title game in the last two seasons thanks mostly to the efforts of a high-flying passing attack.
So while there may be some intrigue and hope within the mythical walls of Patriots Nation regarding a young New England defense that could be on the verge of significant improvements with the maturation of guys like 2012 first-round picks Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower, there is doubt whether it could be enough to compensate for the potential lack of the usual potency on offense.
The Patriots have won 12 or more games in each of the last three years in a lackluster AFC East, including a 12-4 mark on the way to the AFC Championship loss to the eventual champion Ravens last winter, but with uncharacteristic uncertainty on offense reaching such lofty goals could be more of a struggle in 2013 for Bill Belichick’s squad.
Strengths: Aside from the turnover at wide receiver and the uncertainty at tight end, the Patriots return a solid core on offense with the future Hall of Famer Brady, the entirety of a Logan Mankins-led offensive line and 2012 1,200-yard rusher Stevan Ridley. And even with the work-in-progress nature of the offense, Brady has proven over the years that almost regardless of the weapons around him he’ll find a way to put together a productive attack.
Defensively, New England finished last season tied for ninth in the NFL in points allowed and was the 25th unit in terms of yards. Pro Bowlers Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo, sophomores Jones and Hightower and the underrated Rob Ninkovich form the makings of an impressive defensive front that should be stout against the run and improved in terms of the pass rush.
Weaknesses: As good as Brady is, he still needs to build a rapport with his weapons to make things happen through the air and heading into training camp he has virtually no known commodities to work with. After Amendola at receiver there is an all-out battle for the rest of the depth chart. That could lead to some growing pains with the passing game early in the year.
Clearly, though, the biggest question in New England remains on defense. Aqib Talib joined the secondary midway through last season and helped out, but the unit still ranked 29th against the pass. It’s a back end that’s struggled to stop anyone through the air and has allowed too many big plays dating back to the last few seasons. Until that’s proven to have changed, it remains the biggest concern for Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
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NFL Team Report – New England Patriots – NOTES, QUOTES
–With the release of tight end Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots made it clear that their decision went far beyond football in terms of priorities. But the move did leave a lot of questions for the franchise.
Among them is the question of who will play tight end for the Patriots. Rob Gronkowski is recovering from back surgery. Hernandez was the oft-used No. 2 tight end. It is not known when Gronkowski will be ready to play after undergoing multiple arm surgeries as well as back surgery and the team’s options appear limited.
With wide receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd gone, if Gronkowski isn’t ready for the start of the season, quarterback Tom Brady would be without his top four targets from a year ago that combined for 298 receptions, 3,538 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The financial repercussions could become complicated.
Hernandez signed a $39.77 million contract extension last year that included a $12.5 million signing bonus as well as guaranteed salaries of $1.323 million this year and $1.137 million in 2014. Additionally, $3.25 million of the signing bonus was deferred until March 2014. Another $3.25 million was paid this past March.
Without knowing the specifics of language in the contract, the question is whether the Patriots will attempt to withhold paying those guaranteed salaries and deferred bonus.
By releasing Hernandez, the Patriots are subject to a $3.8 million salary-cap charge this year and $7.5 million in 2014, but those could be altered if they are able to avoid paying the deferred bonus and if they can recover the bonus money paid this year.
Numerous reports have said the Patriots forfeit the right to recover bonus money because they released Hernandez. However, a team might be able to do just that and save on the cap when a player violates the NFL’s personal conduct policies or defaults on his contract.
–Linebacker Jerod Mayo, a defensive captain and clear Patriots team leader, is well aware of the issues that have popped up this offseason in New England. That obviously includes Aaron Hernandez being at the center of a murder investigation, but also such potential distractions as Rob Gronkowski’s many offseason surgeries and the signing of one-man media circus Tim Tebow.
“We always talk about ignoring the noise, and we’re doing the same now,” Mayo told ESPNBoston.com. “Whether it’s good or bad, we always talk about ignoring the noise.”
Specifically dealing with the Hernandez situation, Mayo wasn’t looking to comment at this early point in the legal process.
“I’m going to leave that one alone until everything’s done or whatever,” he said.
–Wide receiver Aaron Dobson became the final Patriots draft pick to sign when he inked his deal with the team June 20.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I regret leaving New England … I was absolutely too headstrong.” – Bill Parcells to USA Today looking back on his departure from the Patriots following a trip to the Super Bowl with the team in 1996.
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NFL Team Report – New England Patriots – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYERS: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
–CB Will Allen (not tendered as UFA).
–S Josh Barrett (not tendered as UFA).
–WR Deion Branch (not tendered as UFA).
–S Derrick Martin (not tendered as UFA).
–C/G Jamey Richard (not tendered as UFA).
–DE Trevor Scott (not tendered as UFA).
–WR Donte’ Stallworth: Not tendered as UFA/Redskins; terms unknown.
–LB Tracy White (not tendered as UFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (all picks signed)
–LB Jamie Collins (2/52): $3,761,002/4 yrs, $1,115,272 SB/$1,691,227 guaranteed.
–WR Aaron Dobson (2/59): $3,428,379/4 yrs, $857,093 SB/$1,157,093 guaranteed.
–CB Logan Ryan (3/83): $2,773,252/4 yrs, $563,252 SB.
–S Duron Harmon (3/91): $2,711,100/4 yrs, $533,600 SB.
–WR Josh Boyce (4/102): $2,637,000/4 yrs, $477,000 SB.
–DE Michael Buchanan (7/226): $2,213,612/4 yrs, $53,612 SB.
–LB Steve Beauharnais (7/235): $2,207,592/4 yrs, $47,592 SB.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–CB Kyle Arrington: UFA; $16M/4 yrs, $6.5M SB/$9.5M guaranteed/$7.5M fully guaranteed.
–CB Marquice Cole: UFA; terms unknown.
–WR Julian Edelman: UFA; $765,000/1 yr, $50,000 WO.
–LB Dane Fletcher: Potential RFA; terms unknown.
–TE Michael Hoomanawanui: RFA tendered at 1.323M with fifth-round pick as compensation; terms unknown.
–LB Niko Koutouvides: UFA; terms unknown.
–CB Aqib Talib: UFA; $5M/1 yr.
–T Sebastian Vollmer: UFA; $17M/4 yrs, $8.5M guaranteed.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–WR Danny Amendola: UFA Rams; $31M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$10M SB.
–DL Armond Armstead: FA; $1.49M/3 years, $655,000 guaranteed.
–RB LeGarrette Blount (trade Buccaneers).
–T/G Kevin Haslam (waivers Chargers).
–WR Lavelle Hawkins: FA Titans; terms unknown.
–WR Michael Jenkins: FA Vikings; terms unknown.
–WR Donald Jones: Not tendered as RFA by Bills; $4.155M/3 yrs, no SB/$435,000 report/RB each year.
–DT Tommy Kelly: FA Raiders; $5M/2 yrs, $1M SB.
–OT Will Svitek: UFA Falcons; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–QB Tim Tebow: FA Jets; $1.385M/2 yrs.
–RB/KR Leon Washington: FA Seahawks; $1.2M/1 yr, $360,000 SB.
–S Adrian Wilson: FA Cardinals; $5M/3 yrs, $1M SB.
PLAYERS LOST
–S Patrick Chung: UFA Eagles; $10M/3 yrs, $2.285M SB/$4M guaranteed.
–DE Brandon Deaderick (released).
–RB Jeff Demps (traded Buccaneers).
–FB Tony Fiammetta (released).
–TE Aaron Hernandez (released).
–T Kyle Hix (released).
–FB Spencer Larsen (released).
–WR Brandon Lloyd (released).
–DT Kyle Love (released/non-football illness).
–DL Myron Pryor (released).
–G Donald Thomas: UFA Colts; $14M/4 yrs, $1M SB.
–WR Wes Welker: UFA Broncos; $12M/2 yrs, $12M guaranteed/$6M fully guaranteed.
–RB Danny Woodhead: UFA Chargers; $3.5M/2 yrs, $1M SB.
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