Backup tight end Stephen Anderson says he’s watched tape of Aaron Hernandez
Anderson could see the field Sunday because Jacob Hollister is on injured reserve.
Patriots reserve tight end Stephen Anderson has watched tape of Aaron Hernandez to try and incorporate some more tricks to his repertoire.
“I always hear about him in practice, so I definitely took a look at him,” Anderson told reporters. “There are some things that I try to pull, try to use out there, and try to add to my arsenal.”
Anderson, a third-year player out of the University of California, has replaced injured Jacob Hollister on the roster and could see the field Sunday as the Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers at 1 p.m.
Despite spending the entire regular season on the practice squad, Anderson said he doesn’t believe his skills have diminished. Instead, he feels as though he’s added new wrinkles to his game by mirroring both Hernandez and tight ends the Patriots have faced week by week – including Eric Ebron and Chris Herndon.
“The way they use him, he’s a tight end, but they can use him as a receiver,” Anderson said of Ebron.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 230-pound Anderson, who could see a role as the backup tight end and on special teams, views himself as a “hybrid” player who can chip in at receiver as well. He played 28 games for the Houston Texans the last two years, racking up 36 catches, 435 yards, and two touchdowns.
