David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

1. First and foremost, the New England Patriots could use the continued depth at the TE position in lieu of Rob Gronkowski‘s arm issues and the news that Aaron Hernandez needed shoulder surgery this offseason. Hoomanawanui isn’t an excellent wide receiver like those guys, but he is an excellent blocker and can help replace some of the loss in blocking prowess if Gronk has to miss any games. Neither Hernandez nor Gronk are expected to miss any games, and Hooman would have been re-signed regardless.

2. Illinois Mike might have been the best St. Louis Rams to New England Patriots signing made by Josh McDaniels last offseason, because Greg Salas was lost to the Philadelphia Eagles and Brandon Lloyd is no longer with the team. Hooman isn’t as good as Lloyd, but he was a quality signing who has lasted for more than one season.

2. Hooman is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, and he is quite underrated overall. Blocking tight ends like Hooman, Jim Kleinsasser, Joel Dreesen, Daniel Fells, and Anthony Fasano often go criminally underrated. Not only can Hoomanawanui block, but he also has an awesome name.

3. Another thing to note about Hoomanawanui is that he can be lined up as an H-back, which was quite useful in the absence of Hernandez. He’s a great lead blocker out of the backfield, and it’s always nice to have that kind of a blocking presence at H-back and lined up in a traditional sense. Although the Patriots never really use him as a pass-catcher, Big Mike is better than you think in that regard.

4. Hooman filled in for Gronkowski towards the end of the year as well in order to bring that sort of blocking influence into the team. Also watch for Daniel Fells, because he is an even better blocker than Hooman and is another solid TE. But his future is uncertain with Jake Ballard in the fold, as Ballard is a very good pass-catching TE in his own right who can make up for Gronk’s possible absence.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is congratulated by tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) after his touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

(This is another entry into Musket Fire’s ‘positional breakdown’ feature)

Tight Ends Under Contract For 2013: Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Jake Ballard, Daniel Fells

Rob Gronkowski:

When Gronkowski is healthy, he is one of the most dominating players in the NFL. ‘Gronk’ is nearly impossible to cover one one one because he is huge, he is very fast for his size, and has some of the best hands in the NFL. If you put a linebacker on him, he runs right by him and if you put a safety or a corner on him, he is just to big for them to handle. Gronkowski is also a beast in the running game, he is a great blocker, and in essence can be an extra offensive lineman for the Pats when they want to run the football. Gronkowski garners a ton of attention whenever he is in the game so he really helps other weapons get open throughout the season. Gronkowski did break his arm twice in the last part of the season, so he will have to show he can stay healthy for an entire year, but I think he will come back totally healthy in 2013 and have another monster year.

Aaron Hernandez:

Hernandez is the second part of the ‘Boston TE Party’ and in my opinion is a better receiver than Gronkowski. He is one of the quickest players in the NFL, and after the catch he is very tough to tackle. He is a good route-runner and like Gronkowski, he garners a lot of attention when on the field. Hernandez is not a very good run blocker, but because of his talent in the passing game, the Pats keep him on the field for pretty much the entire game. Hernandez does at times seem to drop the ball, and I think that is something he will have to work on. An ankle injury slowed Hernandez in 2012, and he did not get back to full health for a little while, but I fully expect him to have a huge year in 2013, assuming he keeps healthy. With Hernandez’s talent, and the way he continues to learn and get better, I feel he will be one of, if not the best tight end in the NFL.

Jake Ballard:

Ballard did not play a single snap in 2012 because of a knee injury. I think that in 2013 he can bring another solid player to the Patriots offense. Before his knee injury Ballard was a solid run blocker that could make some plays in the passing game as well. If he recovers from his knee injury, I would hope he gets on the field for the Pats, and if he does, I think he would help make that offense he more productive.

Daniel Fells:

Fells started the year off really well, as he had to fill in for Hernandez when he was injured. However the coaching staff saw something they did not like with him, and he was really replaced by Michael Hoomanawanui. Fells could possibly be a cap casualty because he is getting paid 1.25 million dollars in 2013. For a guy that may not even be the 3rd tight end on the roster, I do not think that he is worth it. If he is not willing to take a pay cut, then I think he will be released before the 2013 season begins.

2013 Outlook:

The only thing I am worried about at this position for the Pats, is if they can be healthy for an entire season. When healthy, they are the most talented position the Pats have. I think in the passing game, you have to double Hernandez and Gronkowski because if you do not, you will be burned. By doubling them, you get one one one coverage with Welker and Lloyd. In the running game, Gronkowski makes a much bigger impact than Hernandez, and it is obvious that when Gronk is in the game the running backs do much better. If these two can stay healthy for an entire year, then records will fall, and I believe that 2013 could possibly be that year.

His efforts did not go unnoticed by the coaching staff, with offensive coordinator dropping the most effusive praise on Fells.

Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

“Daniel Fells really did a nice job of carrying out his role in the game plan,” McDaniels said. “We asked a lot of different things of Daniel last night, asked him to do some different things in the running game, asked him to pass protect at times, and he made a good catch there for a good chunk there in the third quarter I believe.”

I still don’t understand why Fells was a healthy scratch last game against the Indianapolis Colts, because he is one of the best blocking TEs in the league and is an underrated pass-catcher. He brings more to the table than Visanthe Shiancoe as well, so it wasn’t surprising to see Fells out there more than Shiancoe yesterday. In fact, it was definitely a good thing and credit needs to be given to the coaching staff for that decision.

Bill Belichick also sent some praise Fells’s way, ”Daniel did a good job for us. I thought that he showed up on a number of plays in the running game and in the passing game. I thought he did a good job.”

He more than “showed up”. Fells was terrific and is a great run blocker and pass blocker as well, with the latter quality being a bit tougher to find among TEs in the league.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.