The tight end numbers from the Patriots first victory might not jump off the stat sheet, but make no mistake, the duo of Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper played a big part in the win.
Henry's nine-yard catch on third down in the fourth quarter helped extend an eventual field-goal-scoring drive, while Hooper's 15-yard reception earlier in the drive was the second-longest play of the game while both played an unsung role in the dominant rushing performance by Rhamondre Stevenson.
After a strong training camp in which both tight ends missed some time with injuries, it seems like the twosome is just starting to scratch the surface of what they might be able to accomplish together in the new-look Patriots offense.
"We want to establish our identity... being able to run the football, being physical, kind of bring the fight to the defense a little bit," said Hooper from the locker room on Thursday. "It's a bunch of new guys here, new coaches, new everybody. You all know the deal. So for us to be able to come together, execute a game plan with really, most of just our bread and butter stuff, we weren't really doing anything too crazy game plan-wise... it was awesome to be able to do that together."
"We've got two really good tight ends that are very accomplished in this league," said the position group coach Bob Bicknell. "They do everything right. They enjoy the dirty work, blocking and all those things. And they're really good blockers. It's tough in this league to find guys that can make the plays that they can make in the pass game, do the things they do in the run game, and I really enjoy both of them."
This week the tight ends could play an even bigger role as the offense looks to handle the high-pressure defense that Seattle deploys under new head coach Mike Macdonald.
"They're a very physical team," said Hooper. "[Macdonald] came from Baltimore, so they do a lot of different things on the back end, mixing coverages, blitzing different people, overload pressures, overload in front to test your rules. You have to understand offensively like, 'Okay, what are our base rules? Okay, we're seeing this look. How do we adjust to it?' And just trust your training, communicate to your brother next to you, and as long as you guys are on the same page, you can get rolling."
Having two experienced veterans at the tight end position this week is an advantage. Henry and Hooper have dealt with similar defenses before and understand what they're up against and how to decipher and counter Seattle's secretive pre-snap looks.
Bicknell appreciated how Henry and Hooper could help the offense.
"[Their experience] is invaluable at this position," said Bicknell. "It's the toughest position. I've coached O-line, receivers, tight ends. It really is probably the toughest position to play, because your matchup is never great every week on defensive ends, and then just in all the different things we ask them to do. You know, obviously takes experience, but also just takes guys that work at it, smart guys in general."
After years of looking for a one-two punch at the position with one blocking tight end and one move tight end, Henry and Hooper are more similar players, and nearly interchangeable. That provides not only depth but also more unique options for offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt to use.
"I looked them up when we first signed Austin, I think they legitimately have, I think 63 touchdowns together," said Bicknell. "They are almost virtually the same, even in yards, catches... I think maybe Hooper has a few more catches. I'm not gonna say that they're the same player, but they do the same things, they just do them differently."
With the home opener looming, Hooper said it's important not to get too caught up in the hype and atmosphere, even if it's important to protect your home field.
"Anytime you're at home, you want to obviously make that your building, your space, your advantage," said Hooper. "So, you can't build it up more than it is. You have to just trust your training, prepare, and understand you're at home, there's an extra importance to it. At the same time, just go out there and play football.
"Understand the plan and go out there and do it."
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