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I think it would depend on how you're viewing the definition of 'slot.' In your version, it may be more incorrect than correct.
In 4-5 WR sets, only 2 guys can be on the line of scrimmage at once, so in essence there is more than one 'slot' WR on the field at once.
If your argument was that the NEP offense already runs a lot of shallow to intermediate routes, and the emergence of the 2 TE's has only increased that, then your theory would possibly hold more water. With a plethora of guys who tend to have a lot of the same skillsets (as far as running certain routes and catching the ball), Edelman apparently is not one of the better WR options, at least in the mind of Bill Belichick anyway.
I will give you the fact that he does look like he plays with a lot of heart and passion, giving his 'all' on just about every play. He did look pretty good when taking over Welker's role in the 2009 playoffs, so one would think that he may be able to replicate that performance to some degree---but not anywhere on the level that Welker himself brings it. If Wes was gone or hurt, I would certainly want to see Edelman given another chance in that role again; but no one knows if that will ever happen, or if he can carve out a niche for himself with some other effective WR role, which seems doubtful with his skillset + the level of competition in front of him right now.
Personally I think he stays, and is a typical 'value' Belichickian player; one who offers versatility in all 3 phases with a low cost to boot. However, 'where' he is slotted position-wise, and how much he contributes is certainly up for much debate.
As AndyJohnson says is so many words (paraphrasing) "Edelman is kind of like a jack of all trades, but masters none." In other words, he can offer something as one of the roster #45-53 guys, but don't count on him to excel or contribute too much. I do think he is an effective punt returner, but that alone probably isn't enough to win over a job, as someone else could do it--to a lesser degree. I think his heart, committment, and versatility win him over a spot again this year, but I really don't want him as a DB again.
I think he stays without really ever being on the bubble as some think, but I can also understand the debate with the heightened roster competition. If Welker goes (which I certainly hope does not happen) then Edelman may be re-upped next year, otherwise I really think this may be his last yr here.
Keep in mind that I do appreciate him, and I am a Edelman supporter, but the level of competition has certainly increased in certain areas too.
Good well thought out and written posting. I agree 100%. I love when other people take the time thoughtfully compose exactly what I'm thinking.
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I'm not sure what the first part means...and what's so messed-up about that statement?
Why is Matt Slater off-limits but Edelman isn't? Neither of them should be irreplaceable.
Barring something bizarre, Slater's not getting cut:
1.) Because Slater is a Pro Bowl caliber multi-group special teams player who just happens to get listed as a receiver, and Edelman is not.
2.) Because Slater just signed a three year contract that included a two million dollar signing bonus.
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If they develop another punt returner my prediction is Edelman to the Chiefs for a seventh rounder.
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It's all in the stats. Take out dump offs to running backs and 29 out of 39 passes went to Gronk or Welker. Do you really think an offense can be effective when defenses know they only have to defend two players? Do you happen to remember that the INTs were the result of forcing the ball into double coverage, where they were deflected and picked off?
Again, the reason for that game- Branch and Hernandez were out. Ochocinco was playing in just his third game (not that he is off the hook, as we now know he is not good in our system.) So, was Edelman to blame? No, not exactly. Did the game tell us a lot about Edelman? Yes. It told us that any thoughts of him being a solid contributor on offense should go out the window. Brady obviously would not try to get him the ball and would rather throw high risk passes to solid playmakers than consider JE as an option.
You don't need to come up with some whacky argument that 4 Ints were Edelmans fault to surmise that Edleman isnt a good WR.
The craziness of your argument clouds the point you are trying to make which could be made very easily with sane and cogent arguments.
Actually, only one of the four interceptions came off forcing a pass into double coverage (IIRC it was the 3rd).
Pass intended for Gronk who was bracketed I believe?
Spot on with the others too, the first one Woodhead tipped it right to a defender, Ocho rounded off his route and McKelvin jumped it (good play by McKelvin) and the one tipped at the LoS was a pick 6 IIRC.
One of the misconceptions about Edelman that really bugs me is the thought that he's not a good receiver because he's only had 11 receptions the past two seasons. Well, there's a good reason for that. Edelman's value as a receiver comes as a direct backup to Welker. Arguing that Edelman should be cut because he doesn't catch passes is like arguing that Hoyer should be cut because he doesn't throw completions. Welker has missed four full games plus most of a fifth. Here are Edelman's stat lines in those games.
Add that all up and you get 30 receptions for 337 yards. That's an average of 6 receptions for 67.4 yards per game. A WR who averages 6 receptions and 67.4 yards for a full season would catch 96 passes for 1,078 yards. Now, those aren't Welker numbers, but nobody here would be complaining if Welker misses the whole season and Edelman puts up 1,000 yards.
Sample size is small, but it's actually that 20 yard game that's bringing down the average more than the 103 yard one, and considering his two best games were 98 and 103 yards, that means neither was a complete fluke.
So don't be mad at Edelman for not producing. Be glad he hasn't had to. If he can be a great punt returner while playing on coverage units and backing up at CB as well, then that's just a bonus. His value isn't in what he has done lately, it's in what he may unfortunately have to do sometime in the future.
if we sign welker to 2-3 years, is it really a good use of roster space to carry a guy that is strictly his backup? Even if he could theoretically step in in Welker's absence and be 90% of what Welker is (I'm skeptical on this) all you have is an emergency DB and a marginal ST player taking up space.
This might have made sense when the offense was more reliant on Welker, and it still is to some degree, but with the TE's emerging and being able to hold onto a guy like Ebert on the PS I just don't see the point of keeping him. This of course comes with the caveat that I'm assuming he isn't somehow magically transformed by Belichick the Magnificent into a legit DB.
P.S. I don't hate the guy either, but I don't think he's a "great punt returner," I thought he was pretty average last year.
Edit - he'd probably get snapped up by the Jets pretty quickly if we cut him, so maybe that plays into it a bit too, but I still think that's bad priorities
Last edited by TyronePoole; 05-10-2012 at 12:34 AM..
if we sign welker to 2-3 years, is it really a good use of roster space to carry a guy that is strictly his backup? Even if he could theoretically step in in Welker's absence and be 90% of what Welker is (I'm skeptical on this) all you have is an emergency DB and a marginal ST player taking up space.
This might have made sense when the offense was more reliant on Welker, and it still is to some degree, but with the TE's emerging and being able to hold onto a guy like Ebert on the PS I just don't see the point of keeping him. This of course comes with the caveat that I'm assuming he isn't somehow magically transformed by Belichick the Magnificent into a legit DB.
P.S. I don't hate the guy either, but I don't think he's a "great punt returner," I thought he was pretty average last year.
Edit - he'd probably get snapped up by the Jets pretty quickly if we cut him, so maybe that plays into it a bit too, but I still think that's bad priorities
He's averaging a TD on a punt return about every 24 1/2 touches, which is good for about once per season.
He had his one each per season in the last 2 yrs. In 2010 he had an 15.3 yrds per return average, which was one of the best in the NFL. He came back down to earth a bit last season, averaging 10.7.
Belichick kept him last year, as a 'return only' guy on the roster. He actually touched the ball on offense almost the same identical times as in 2010, but showed the ability to play all 3 phases of the game. The thinking is that if he was kept for ST only in the summer of 2011, I'm not sure what he's done to NOT earn that same right, especially after showing even more use in 2011.
The one and only reason for him possibly being on the bubble would be the added roster competition/more limited number of spots.
Whether or not Belichick factors that into his final equation will be decided, but I'm assuming that he's safe due to versatility and price. Belichick will have to make that choice.
As you said, the big question for keeping his beyond this upcoming season next yr will go hand in hand with the team's future plans with Welker. If they keep Welker, then he will probably not be here next yr in 2013.
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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....
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