Fernando Medina-USA TODAY Sports
There is still plenty to be deciphered in the situation with former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and his arrest today. It’s too early in the process to know what really happened but we do know the arrest had consequences since it led to Hernandez’s release from the Patriots.
On a football level, the arrest leaves the Patriots in dire straits at tight end. Hernandez is gone from the roster and Rob Gronkowski just had back surgery, so his status for the beginning of the season is in jeopardy. With the Pats in need of a tight end, they could turn to a former rival player for reinforcements at the position.
Tonight, ESPN’s Bill Polian and Chris Mortensen brought up former Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark as an ideal candidate for the Patriots to look into. Clark was once one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL but injuries have derailed his career the past few seasons. Clark caught 47 passes for 435 yards and four touchdowns last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so he still has some game left in him at 34-years old.
Clark has always been known as more of a pass catching tight end, which would fall in line with what Hernandez did for New England, so the fit might make sense. Clark is also a smart football player, which would mesh well with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
When the offseason began the Patriots looked like they had the best group of tight ends in the league and now it looks like they could be scrambling for help at the position. Dallas Clark would make a good fit in New England and the Patriots could be interested in the 11-year veteran.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi, or add him on Google+
