New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez added to the praise coming from his team for Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated matchup. The same day Patriots coach Bill Belichick defended Tebow’s oft-criticized throwing technicians, Hernandez, who won a nationwide championship with Tebow at the University of Florida in 2008, chatted with what has made his previous teammate successful. NFL odds

“He keeps plays alive, and he is winning,” Hernandez said Wed. according to the Boston Herald, calling Tebow “a leader.”

“He brought lots of energy to the game,” Hernandez said. “When someone has energy, you take from it.”

” … We were good buddies, as well.”

Tebow had pleasant things to claim in return, telling the Herald that Hernandez “makes any quarterback he’s with look a lot better.”

“He’s a phenomenal player, one of those fellows when you need competitive excellence and you need someone to step up and make a big play, he always ready and willing,” Tebow announced. “I’m just proud of him for what he’s done as an NFL player and what he did with me at Florida.”

Sunday’s game is getting a lot of attention, not only because it pits a unorthodox rising star in Tebow against one of the game’s more successful quarterbacks in Tom Brady. Hernandez was asked to compare the 2 by ESPN, but wouldn’t say anything controversial. “They’re different people,” Hernandez recounted. “You can’t compare them, but both are great leaders.”

Hernandez has 59 catches for 607 yards and five touchdowns in his 2nd year with the Patriots. NFL spreads