April 22 Edelman article: "he may be the next Wes Welker"

[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.

 

[patfanken]

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.

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.

 

[BelichickFan]

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.

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]

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.

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???

 

[bigfandan]

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.

Maybe we will see him and Welker line up to same side, one wide one slot, or stacked, that will confuse the hell out of opposing DB/LB.

 

[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]

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.

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

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

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

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

Kent State - Cumulative Season Statistics

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'm surprised that so many teams showed interest in him and New England still got him for only a 7th round pick. Great scouting by the Pats, looks like we stole a real player here.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I'm surprised that so many teams showed interest in him and New England still got him for only a 7th round pick. Great scouting by the Pats, looks like we stole a real player here.

I think the issue was "where do you play him" and "what role is he"? For teams with lots of needs, there are bigger holes to fill in the draft. I'm not talking Pats/Steelrs/Colts type of holes but Rams/Lions/raiders holes)For the Pats with 12 picks, they could afford to take a flyer. Had he not been drafted, I'm sure a few teams would tried to sign him as a UDFA. Low risk, high reward.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think the issue was "where do you play him" and "what role is he"? For teams with lots of needs, there are bigger holes to fill in the draft. I'm not talking Pats/Steelrs/Colts type of holes but Rams/Lions/raiders holes)For the Pats with 12 picks, they could afford to take a flyer. Had he not been drafted, I'm sure a few teams would tried to sign him as a UDFA. Low risk, high reward.

Sounds like what they did with Matt Cassel.

 

[Kontradiction]

I know that I'm going to get the standard, "wait until the preseason is over" crap but I firmly believe that Edelman has already earned a roster spot on this team... at LEAST as a special teamer.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

I know that I'm going to get the standard, "wait until the preseason is over" crap but I firmly believe that Edelman has already earned a roster spot on this team... at LEAST as a special teamer.

I agree, he's a great athlete and a smart football player, BB will make good use of this guy, I think being with a football mind like BB is the best thing for this guy.

 

[lurker1965]

I know that I'm going to get the standard, "wait until the preseason is over" crap but I firmly believe that Edelman has already earned a roster spot on this team... at LEAST as a special teamer.

I agree. Wait 'till the preseason is over.

Was it Sam Aiken who looked awesome in pre-season?

 

[Reckedtrek]

I'm happy with how good he looked, but it's only the first preseason game. If he can play like this over the next 3 games (or even close) he's very likely to make the roster, but until that time I'm not 100% convinced. Remember what BB said about Cassel after the preseason game (I think it was his first as a rookie) when he went run crazy and played very well? Something along the lines of "Let's not put him in Canton just yet".

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'm happy with how good he looked, but it's only the first preseason game. If he can play like this over the next 3 games (or even close) he's very likely to make the roster, but until that time I'm not 100% convinced. Remember what BB said about Cassel after the preseason game (I think it was his first as a rookie) when he went run crazy and played very well? Something along the lines of "Let's not put him in Canton just yet".

There's a bit of a difference between "Let's not put him in Canton just yet," and "There's no way Julian Edelman makes this roster."

I can't say he's a 100% lock for a roster spot just yet, but if I were a gambling man, I'd definitely put some money down on it.

 

[Reckedtrek]

There's a bit of a difference between "Let's not put him in Canton just yet," and "There's no way Julian Edelman makes this roster."

I can't say he's a 100% lock for a roster spot just yet, but if I were a gambling man, I'd definitely put some money down on it.

Yeah- I don't think BB was serious about the Canton reference, I think he was just saying that it was just one game- everybody calm down and let's get a bigger sample size to evaluate.

If he continues like he started- he's very likely to be one of our 53, but if I was a gambling man, I'd take the odds the board is giving him to NOT make the team, bet 2 bucks and make a $1,000 if he gets cut.