Edelman cut thread revisited

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Several weeks ago I posted a thread stating that Edelman should be cut (since we could at least use another roster spot rather than having a completely useless player out there.) Lots of you replied that I was overreacting to a loss, that loss wasn't Edelman's fault, etc., and you laughed at me for even stating that thread. I had argued, not that Edelman was instrumental in the loss to Buffalo, but that I had officially seen enough to be convinced this guy is a liability and not worth keeping for his ST play.

So, I'm wondering if anyone would reconsider their opinion right now.

Edelman has been with the team for three seasons, and he peaked in his second game in 2009, when he had over 100 yards against the Jets. Everyone was very excited about him, and the last three years have been spent deluding ourselves into thinking he could be a great backup for Welker. Initially he seemed to be a great project who would ultimately bloom into an NFL wide receiver.

Edelman has definitely lost a step. He is not even a fast punt returner, and his acceleration is no longer marveled about. In addition, he seems to make poor decisions on where to return punts very frequently.

In the offense, his addition is completely worthless. He isn't even a good gadget guy in the mold of Brad Smith or Anwan Randel-El. He has Ben Watson syndrome, where nearly every pass seems to hit his hands but not get caught, yet it never seems like his fault.

I get frustrated watching the Pats lose like everyone else, and we all have scapegoats in our heads... but the problem with Edelman is he will never be good. It's time to get someone out there that can be a decent kickoff/ punt returner, and it's time to give Taylor Price a shot, as soon as he is health. Meanwhile, Chad Ochocinco is no longer worthy of discussion because it is so obvious he should not have come into this offense.

[randomk1]

He doesn't seem to offer anything so i don't care if he is gone or not. As of right now our ST needs an upgrade.

[Sciz]

It says a lot that Bill was willing to put him back to receive a punt after he had already fumbled one. Don't get your hopes up.

[JFK]

Is Tracy White more useful to the Pats than Edelman? Is Ocho more useful?
Edelman is not the problem. He made a mistake because he tried too much. He is our best KR/PR

[Lavictoire]

Agreed.Cut Edelman and Ocho. Play Price and put Ridley or Slater in as punt returners. If necessary-- CALL IN MOSS!

[coolguy]

A couple of weeks ago i would have said no.
NOW

What good is edelman? i would rather have dan connoly returning kicks

[jbb9s]

his value is to play Welker's position for 2 or 3 games a year when Welker is hurt. He has no other value to the team. Faulk can probably return punts for the rest of the year assuming he is activated. So what I propose is that he is saved from being cut but only activated if Welker is injured.

The good news is that the Wes Welker syndrome has caught on in college ball and there are lots of quick slot guys that BB can pluck in the later rounds to replace Edelman when his contract is up.

[ctpatsfan77]

Two things to point out:

(1) BB generally does not go the Benny Sapp route with players unless they show lack of effort or otherwise cause problems in the locker room.

(2) The return game is not, as many people often think, 1 vs. 11. It is, in fact, 11 vs. 11, and the problems in the return game often lie with the 10 up front.

Is it possible Edelman gets cut? Sure. Is it likely? No more likely than Matthew Slater getting cut.

[mgteich]

Perhaps Edelman should be inactive. That may happen if Price is healthy. Edelman is our best backup slot receiver.

What about Ochoccinco? Perhaps he should be benched and made inactive.

The question regarding Edelman is whether belichick replaces him as a returner. Even so, he would be on the inactive roster.

[Snake Eyes]

Edelman messed up with the fumble but at the same time the Giants covered their kicks very well, there's plenty of blame to go around for the poor kick receiving today.