spacecrime

Getting to know super sleeper JulianEdelman - Mocking The Draft

Excerpt:

Edelman really impressed at his pro day workout in the Kent State Field House. Edelman ran a 4.51 second 40-yard dash, which would have topped all quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and placed him in the top 15 among receivers. Edelman’s times of 3.91 seconds in the short shuttle and 10.74 in the long shuttle would have been the fastest times recorded at the Combine, regardless of position. NFL people asked him to run the short shuttle again because they didn’t believe the number and Edelman actually ran it even faster the next time.

"He’s a really skilled guy, similar to (Antwaan) Randle El and Seneca Wallace. He can play ‘Wildcat,’ return kicks, and he may be the next Wes Welker as a wide receiver," a league insider said.

Edelman’s versatility was on full display during his senior season at Kent State. Edelman led the country in rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,370 that included eight games of 100 yards or more. He also passed for 1,820 yards. If that wasn’t enough, Edelman also began lining up as a safety on the punt team and for the last few games of the season even returned punts.

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“When we look at the board, based on everything we want in a football player at that particular time, we evaluate them and take the player that fits best for our football team. That’s what we always do, and I think the last nine years we’ve put a pretty competitive team out there on the field every year. I think that’s how you do it – you get good football players. Sometimes they are not always at the No. 1 position, but I don’t think you pass up good football players to get the guys who aren’t as good just because they’re at a position that somebody feels you need.”
BB on his draft philosophy, April 2010

patfanken

Nice find Space. It only reinforces my belief that the short and long shuttle times are MUCH more important than the forty times. It shows acceleration athleticism, and quickness. Things FOOTBALL PLAYERS need a lot more than straight line speed.

Knowing this helps explain a lot about his current success. I'm kind of hoping that once the fans are gone, BB will take this kid and see what he can do in the Wildcat...but then again maybe not.

RayClay

So the myth of his first punt return evah bites the dust.

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BelichickFan

I don't think we'll be running much Wildcat - but Edelman will almost certainly be valuable on the scout team for weeks when we play those kinds of teams.

patfanken

That's a good thought, and enough of a reason to keep him around. I doubt they could hide him now for the practice squad. That time has come and gone.

PatsFanInVa

....but is he a landsman???

jbb9s

this thread kind of brings me back a few years to a game when Ben Watson and Daniel Graham were both out. I think it was late season and the Pats were playing a inferior team with a weak defense. Dave Thomas, a well respected rookie, stepped in and caught maybe 5 or 6 balls for 80+ yards (both of which are close to half of his career totals and his only TD ever in 3 seasons).For about 10 or 15 days after the game, after reading this board, I thought he would have been the next Antonia Gates or Tony Gonzales. He hasn't had a touchdown since.

Lets keep expectation in check. Who had the best speed splits the following year in the combine? Didn't work out all that well did it?

farn

So... question : if it was "known" that he could become something (being compared to WW etc) why did he last until the 7th ?

Now, without being in the room with BB and friends, it seems like pretty much a lock that he makes 53. Not only that, I would be surprised if he doesn't get quite a bit of time.

As much as I love the draft, draft talk and speculation - it is still the utlimate educated guessing game. Yet, those who are successful at drafting (Colts, SD, NYG, Pitt, NE) are the ones who can sustain excellence.

APatrioticVirginian

I agree totally but the 40 is better tv.Its the football equivalent of "drive for show,putt for dough."

Patsfanin Philly

6 returns for 25 yards..Oh and he did have 2 solo tackles.....

Kent State - Cumulative Season Statistics