Patriots receiver Aaron Hernandez joined Colin Cowherd for an ESPN radio spot Tuesday morning. The timing was good, considering the Patriots broke a two-game slide over the Jets this past weekend. The win provided New England AFC East supremacy and an easy topic for discussion.
Hernandez was upbeat during his chat with Cowherd.
"It's a lot better when you come up with a victory at an away game because you know it hurts that team that much more," he said. "It's a tough win and it's always a lot tougher on the road, especially in New York, in that type of stadium and atmosphere. It's a great win and we're really excited."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
MetLife Stadium's aura truly is intense. From the fireworks to Fireman Ed, and all the green in between, there's a lot to overwhelm opponents at the Jets' home field. But Hernandez said New England's 37-16 victory silenced the mob.
Cowherd asked if fans got in the receiver's face as he walked to the locker room.
"I wouldn't say that because most of them were already out of the stadium by the end," Hernandez laughed.
Surely nicer than seeing Patriots fans trudge out of Gillette two weeks ago.
Both Hernandez and Tom Brady needed to snap back to good for the offense to overcome the losing streak, to overcome New York. It happened. Brady completed 26 of 39 passes for 329 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. New England's 37 points equaled that of the previous two losses combined. Though none of Brady's TD's were hauled in by Hernandez (he has five in seven games), the pair connected four times for 41 yards.
"It's just the touch Brady has. When you have to get it right over that linebacker and drop it in the hole, or you have a defender right on your hip, and he puts it in the right place. There's just times where we're not open and he makes the pass and puts it in the right place and we look like we are open. A player like Tom just makes every player on the field that much better. It's awesome playing with him."
But Cowherd wasn't so interested in good times had by Brady's bunch. He wanted to know about the quarterback's fire, specifically, if the receivers are ever the targets of his temper.
"Not many times," said Hernandez, "but here or there, if I don't get my depth or if I make the wrong decision versus the wrong coverage he may curse me out a little bit. But he's very positive and never really screams at players too much.
"There's times he shows some emotion, but mostly he's laid back and stays to himself. But when things aren't going that great or the team needs some motivation, he definitely steps in and takes that role."
So it really is all good at Gillette? It is as far as Hernandez would say. He told Cowherd that Brady doesn't intimidate, and working with the three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback is nothing but a blessing. Who would have thunk it?
"He makes everyone feel comfortable. It's not like he thinks he's better than everyone and looks down on everyone. He's humble and makes everyone feel comfortable. When he yells at you it's deserved."