Patriots' new tight end duo is bad news for NFL defenses

— -- The New England Patriots' trade for Martellus Bennett follows an old blueprint under Bill Belichick. Get two tight ends on the field, create matchups and bring flexibility to the call sheet. Similar to what the Patriots once had with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, the ability to dictate tempo with double-tight end personnel forces opposing defenses to adjust based on alignment and game situation.

Although Bennett doesn't have the same speed or skill set of Hernandez, the former Chicago Bears tight end has the size (6-foot-6, 273 pounds), pass-catching ability (led all tight ends with 90 receptions in 2014) and physical power to win as a blocker in the running game. He is an upgrade in New England and a key part to the offensive attack when paired with Gronkowski (6-6, 265 pounds) to give the Patriots two monsters at the position.

Let's discuss how Bennett's arrival in New England translates to the game plan. From the matchups to the formation versatility, the combination Bennett and Gronkowski is going to be trouble for opposing defenses in 2016.

Double tight end formations

With two tight ends in the game (called "Ace" or 12 personnel), the Patriots can spread the field, dress up formations and find the exact matchups they want to exploit. Think of Bennett removed from the core of the formation or Gronkowski aligned in the slot. Three-wide receiver looks with two tight ends in the game. I'm talking about options for Tom Brady and the Patriots to attack linebackers and safeties in coverage. That's stealing.

Both Bennett and Gronkowski are also interchangeable parts in the Patriots' system. That's key to the versatility of the offense in New England. They can run the underneath crossing routes, attack the seam, break on the corner route in the red zone or win on the slant when aligned outside of the numbers.

Plus, when paired with wide receiver Julian Edelman, the Patriots can get back to those route schemes that rip apart the middle of the field. High-low combinations and inside breaking routes. And Bennett is slippery after the catch. That was a staple of the past with Gronkowski, Hernandez and Wes Welker. The same routes (over and over), dressed up, because of the moveable pieces in this offense. All day.

This creates a major headache for opposing defenses. Play with the base package and risk getting torn apart by the Patriots tight ends? Or bring nickel into the game and soften the run front? It's a no-win situation. And the advantage immediately shifts to the Patriots.

The running game (and pre-snap checks)

Bennett's ability to block in the run game will probably get lost a bit in the discussion surrounding the trade that brought him to New England, but don't sleep on his physicality at the point of attack. Like Gronkowski, he's a complete player at the position. Bennett isn't some glorified wide receiver listed as a tight end in the program. He's going to compete up front.

Why is that important? Think about the discussion for opposing defenses on the sideline when Brady and Patriots are moving the ball through the air, featuring that short-to-intermediate passing game with Bennett and Gronkowski. The natural move here is to bring nickel (or even dime) into the game like we talked about above. A smart play to get defenders with coverage ability on the field.

But that also creates a soft or light box for the Patriots to attack. Think of a seven- or six-man front where Brady now has the ability to check to the run game. Those spread or "nickel runs" out of one-back sets are game-changers when the Patriots can slice up the defense on zone and power schemes. And it also puts Brady in complete control. He can run this offense -- with tempo -- from the line of scrimmage based off the defensive personnel in the game. Defend the run or the pass? It's tough to do both when the Patriots have all the pieces.

Vertical options inside of the numbers

With former tight end Scott Chandler, the Patriots didn't have a vertical threat at the position opposite of Gronkowski. And although the New England offense is never going to be considered a true vertical system, having another tight end to work the seam and attack that deep throwing window between the cornerback and the safety will open up more options for Brady.

Whether it is man coverage or zone (Cover 2, Cover 3), Bennett's ability to use his size to create leverage (or separation) to the ball allows the Patriots to appear more vertical in a sense. Plus, when you add in Brady's masterful ability to control the free or deep half safety with his eyes, there will be intermediate-to-deep windows to target. Maybe it's four verticals down the field versus a single-high look, the deep dig versus Cover 2 or skinny post against man coverage where Brady removes that immediate help over the top to deliver another dime.

Those are explosive plays and a nightmare for defenses inside of the red zone with two tight ends that can get down the field. Play man? Play zone? I don't know the answer for that based on the Patriots personnel. Take one thing away and they will expose you with someone else. It's that simple. And now they can be more aggressive with Bennett on the field.

More isolation routes for Gronkowski

Aligning Gronkowski as the outside receiver in a 3-by-1 or 2-by-2 formation with Bennett on the field creates a major issue for defenses. Leave the safety inside to match up to Bennett? That works. Sure. But now the defense is stuck out in the open, with a smaller cornerback lined up versus Gronkowski. Yikes.

This is where Gronkowski can feast on the defense. In the red zone, that's the slant and fade. Win to the inside on the slant and use the size/catch radius to snatch the ball on the fade. Six points either way. Out in the field, there are plenty of options for Gronkowski with the slant, curl, smash route, etc. Take your pick on routes that cater to his ability and size. He's going to initiate contact and take control of the route. And the smaller, weaker cornerback is now exposed.

Acquiring Bennett isn't going to suddenly create a complex world of play calling in New England. But the value of having two tight ends with size, pass-catching ability and the physicality to block in the run game allows the Patriots to showcase the versatility of their personnel. Maybe it's not the same as Gronkowski and Hernandez, but the Patriots' new duo at the position can still leave the defense searching for answers to slow this fast-break offense down.