Time to step up, Julian Edelman

[ctpatsfan77]

How he plays from here on out will be one of the key factors in how far the Patriots advance.

Tom Curran wrote earlier today:

Welker won't be doing that anymore this year and his replacement, Julian Edelman – who is better than he has any right to be at this point in his development – is not as good as the best slot receiver in the NFL.

Just think about that for a second: today (and in the first JEST game) Bill Belichick told a rookie—a rookie who was playing quarterback 12 months ago—"Go be Wes Welker," and, to his credit, he did about as good an impression as you could reasonably expect under the circumstances.

It remains to be seen whether they will simply do the same against the Ravens, or if they'll divert a lot of those passes to Faulk and/or Watson.

I can only hope that, regardless of whatever happens this postseason, that Brady and Welker spend as much time as they can in the offseason to help develop him, because if Welker isn't ready to go when next season starts, they're going to need Edelman to fill in until Welker's ready to go.

 

[Patspsycho]

How he plays from here on out will be one of the key factors in how far the Patriots advance.

Tom Curran wrote earlier today:



Just think about that for a second: today (and in the first JEST game) Bill Belichick told a rookie—a rookie who was playing quarterback 12 months ago—"Go be Wes Welker," and, to his credit, he did about as good an impression as you could reasonably expect under the circumstances.

It remains to be seen whether they will simply do the same against the Ravens, or if they'll divert a lot of those passes to Faulk and/or Watson.

I can only hope that, regardless of whatever happens this postseason, that Brady and Welker spend as much time as they can in the offseason to help develop him, because if Welker isn't ready to go when next season starts, they're going to need Edelman to fill in until Welker's ready to go.

Edelman has already stepped up. 10/103 is as good as you can do under the circumstances.

 

[DaBruinz]

It's not just Edelman. It's also Stanback, Aiken, Watson, Baker, and Brady. And whomever is activated to take Welker's spot.

Brady needs to go back to the mindset of 2003 when he looked for whomever was open.. Where they didn't have a true #1 and they varied everything...

 

[BelichickFan]

It's not just Edelman. It's also Stanback, Aiken, Watson, Baker, and Brady. And whomever is activated to take Welker's spot.

Brady needs to go back to the mindset of 2003 when he looked for whomever was open.. Where they didn't have a true #1 and they varied everything...

Agreed. We all love Wes but with Moss, Edelman, Aiken, Watson, Baker, Faulk there are more than enough receiving threats combined with what should be a forceful running game also. We aren't as good without Welker, obviously, but with good playcalling and decision making this should still be a well above average offense.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Edelman has already stepped up. 10/103 is as good as you can do under the circumstances.

Well, to quote the binky himself from the Herald blog:

“I’m recognizing things a little better, but I’m still not even close to where I want to be or where I think I should be,” said Edelman, the former Kent State quarterback.

 

[BelichickFan]

Well, to quote the binky himself from the Herald blog:

I think that's what we would expect. I wouldn't think he'd say : "I know everything, baby, if Belichick would just give me the playing time I'd be the one in the pro bowl".

He certainly should be more ready than when he started over a banged up Welker in Week 2.

 

[reflexblue]

How he plays from here on out will be one of the key factors in how far the Patriots advance.

Tom Curran wrote earlier today:



Just think about that for a second: today (and in the first JEST game) Bill Belichick told a rookie—a rookie who was playing quarterback 12 months ago—"Go be Wes Welker," and, to his credit, he did about as good an impression as you could reasonably expect under the circumstances.

It remains to be seen whether they will simply do the same against the Ravens, or if they'll divert a lot of those passes to Faulk and/or Watson.

I can only hope that, regardless of whatever happens this postseason, that Brady and Welker spend as much time as they can in the offseason to help develop him, because if Welker isn't ready to go when next season starts, they're going to need Edelman to fill in until Welker's ready to go.

Edelman played well today, he looked like WW. He may even be shiftier thatn WW. If edelman can play at a level thats 80% as well as welker (and i think he can) we won't lose because of him takeing Welkers place.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think that's what we would expect. I wouldn't think he'd say : "I know everything, baby, if Belichick would just give me the playing time I'd be the one in the pro bowl".

I don't expect that either. But it's oddly reassuring to hear him say "I need to do better."

 

[T_Brady12]

I think that's what we would expect. I wouldn't think he'd say : "I know everything, baby, if Belichick would just give me the playing time I'd be the one in the pro bowl".

He certainly should be more ready than when he started over a banged up Welker in Week 2.

Edelman still had 8 catches for 98 yards that day too.

We will be just fine without Welker offensively. I think if we do lose it will definitely be as a result of the defense.

 

[SVN]

edelman did well today but i dont want to read too much into his 10 catches. it was quite good but WW caught balls when you needed the 1st downs.the texans in the 2nd half asked the pats to beat them with edelman and doubled moss and we couldnt. even the last two plays from hoyer , both went to edelman and he couldnt get open and was doubled.not saying it was his fault but WW is money on 3rd downs more often than not.not saying edelman cant be but hard to equate his performance by just # of catches.

 

[BelichickFan]

Edelman still had 8 catches for 98 yards that day too.

Yeah, he had a few issues getting lined up correctly, etc. Although he missed some time, he's not a rookie anymore and he looks like he knows what he's doing. Although we have less chance to win each game without Welker, I don't think Edelman will be the reason if/when we lose.

 

[SVN]

It's not just Edelman. It's also Stanback, Aiken, Watson, Baker, and Brady. And whomever is activated to take Welker's spot.

Brady needs to go back to the mindset of 2003 when he looked for whomever was open.. Where they didn't have a true #1 and they varied everything...

unfortunaltey they usually won games where they scored 27 pts then with that defense.

 

[SVN]

Yeah, he had a few issues getting lined up correctly, etc. Although he missed some time, he's not a rookie anymore and he looks like he knows what he's doing. Although we have less chance to win each game without Welker, I don't think Edelman will be the reason if/when we lose.

probably but that vacates the 3rd WR position which already has been an issue. only last week reiss wrote that edelman was getting more reps in the lst few games as 3rd wr and now with WW out he becomes the 2nd starter opp moss. i personally dont trust aiken as a WR.

 

[Gwedd]

Edelman still had 8 catches for 98 yards that day too.

We will be just fine without Welker offensively. I think if we do lose it will definitely be as a result of the defense.

Don't forget that the defense will be upgraded nest game too. Wilfork & Warren will be available to play, so there's that bit to consider.

 

[LasVegasPatsFan]

even the last two plays from hoyer , both went to edelman and he couldnt get open and was doubled.

In his defense, it was bad throws by Hoyer. Edelman was open on both attempts but the throws were way off target. The last play wouldn't have mattered anyway as Edelman wasn't near the first down marker.

 

[BelichickFan]

probably but that vacates the 3rd WR position which already has been an issue. only last week reiss wrote that edelman was getting more reps in the lst few games as 3rd wr and now with WW out he becomes the 2nd starter opp moss. i personally dont trust aiken as a WR.

I'm not thrilled with Aiken but he's been the "other" Wide Receiver for half a dozen games this year. I expect Edelman will directly replace Welker to the extent that he can and we'll have to make do with the usable but below average Aiken opposite Moss.

 

[T_Brady12]

Don't forget that the defense will be upgraded nest game too. Wilfork & Warren will be available to play, so there's that bit to consider.

Yeah, that will be a boost, but I still... I dunno. It will make me feel much better when I see a couple sacks.

 

[reflexblue]

It's not just Edelman. It's also Stanback, Aiken, Watson, Baker, and Brady. And whomever is activated to take Welker's spot.

Brady needs to go back to the mindset of 2003 when he looked for whomever was open.. Where they didn't have a true #1 and they varied everything...

Its also who ever comes up with the game plans to include watson, baker ,faulk, aiken etc. in the game plan as far as passing goes. We haven't used the TE in the passing game all year on a consitstant basis.

 

[Boots Electric]

I thought Edelman looked fine out there and seemed to get open virtually every pass play (save for the last one).

Interesting note is that both Joshua Cribbs and Julian Edelman both played at Kent State and both at QB.

 

[SVN]

I'm not thrilled with Aiken but he's been the "other" Wide Receiver for half a dozen games this year. I expect Edelman will directly replace Welker to the extent that he can and we'll have to make do with the usable but below average Aiken opposite Moss.

thats probably what they have to do. i hope we use our TE and our o line performs better than today although it seems they seemed to be rotating our lineman.
this is where might miss JMcd. he was very resourceful ..