Time to step up, Julian Edelman

[BritPat]

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.

You're right about not reading too much into the simple number of yards and catches, in fact I've just made that point elsewhere.

What was significant about Edelman's performance was that 6 of those 10 catches went for first downs. That is Welker-esque.

 

[Brady2Welker]

I've read analysis that Julian Edelman could potentially surpass Welker, because he seems to have the agility and footwork to do it, but is a larger target( 5'9 vs 6'0 : 185lbs vs 198lbs). If Welker was bigger and stronger he would've been a bigger monster than he is, Edelman has the potential to do that.

That said, will he do it by the playoffs... unlikely. But who thought a 6th round draft pick from Michigan would go to the Superbowl and become known as a great clutch QB, stranger things have happened.

 

[reflexblue]

I think edelman has better moves after he cathes the ball. To me he doesn't look as flat out fast as welker, but he can juke the defence out of their cleats once he has the ball in his hands.

 

[BritPat]

I think edelman has better moves after he cathes the ball. To me he doesn't look as flat out fast as welker, but he can juke the defence out of their cleats once he has the ball in his hands.

Which for me marks him down as a candidate for both inside and outside.

If we can finally get Tate on the field next year, and maybe add someone like Freddie Barnes in the Draft, I'd be pumped about that receiving corps.

 

[Brady2Welker]

My concerns for Welker are for next year, and whether or not hell be back within 100% next season, and what approach Belichick will use in playing him.


As many people have stated, this season worked out really well for us (minus injuries). We have a defense that's in complete overhaul and we made it to the playoffs. To expect us to be a Superbowl team for literally an entire decade, in an era designed to stop dynasties is ridiculous.

We just get excited to see #12 playing in Gillette in January and declare a Lombardi as a definitive posibility despite the fact that the team is constantly in flux. Look at the teams that used to be our competition in the AFC. We denied the Colts/Steelers/Chargers quite a few times to the superbowl, and a lot of them are exiting their windows to actually win the Superbowl. God knows Pittsburgh would've needed a miracle this year after losing some of their players to FA & injuries. The Colts window for one has been closing and opening for the last decade. Same with the chargers, by the time they have a passing game their run game is absolutely terrible. In 2005 we all were ready to call it quits, then 2007 happened.


TLDR Version: Everything from here on out is a bonus for us as fans, and the team can only improve next year. Lets enjoy the post season, because we actually made it unlike a lot of other teams that didn't and had to wait till today to have their hopes crushed, and hope for a couple lucky breaks and hopefully we can make it to the AFCCG.

 

[n1e]

personally i'd have Kevin Faulk line up as the 3rd receiver, his route running and hands are just as good if not better than the other receivers on this team not named Moss or Welker

 

[Galjen89]

It almost at times looked like Welker and Brady were using the same brain. Welker knew where Brady wanted him, and Brady knew where Wes would be. Thats the kind of stuff Julian is going to lack. Thats what I believe Tom came back in too at least get as many snaps with Edelman as possible, because it the look on Toms face was one of a guy whos dog just died.

 

[RobertWeathers]

My concerns for Welker are for next year, and whether or not hell be back within 100% next season, and what approach Belichick will use in playing him.

He's looking at a good 10-12 months of recovery, with 10 being optimistic. BB will put him on the PUP for 2010 season. I'd be willing to bet on that scenario.

 

[A.C Vegas]

The Beauty of having JE in the slot is teams are going to gameplan for him a lot less then Welker and allowing him to do more. It's also going to make Brady look for other Targets

 

[khayos]

Unfortunately, I think its not until 2011 until we see Wes again, possibly with a Moss replacement with our 2011 Raider 1st rounder.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

He's looking at a good 10-12 months of recovery, with 10 being optimistic. BB will put him on the PUP for 2010 season. I'd be willing to bet on that scenario.

No chance we see him until then. Boomer Esiason said the same thing this a.m.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

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.

...except if, at a crucial point, we need that one play that only Welker would make either by catching the ball in traffic or by making a few extra miracle Yards After Reception to get a first down or get into FG range...but, otherwise I tend to agree with you.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I've read analysis that Julian Edelman could potentially surpass Welker, because he seems to have the agility and footwork to do it, but is a larger target( 5'9 vs 6'0 : 185lbs vs 198lbs). If Welker was bigger and stronger he would've been a bigger monster than he is, Edelman has the potential to do that.

That said, will he do it by the playoffs... unlikely. But who thought a 6th round draft pick from Michigan would go to the Superbowl and become known as a great clutch QB, stranger things have happened.

If Edelman surpasses Welker, probably the best (or at least second-best) receiver in the league, that would be incredible. But I disagree with the size component. Welker's success is at least partially due to the fact that he's smaller than most slots and tacklers have a hard time adjusting to him at the point of contact. Welker tends to go low after the catch for YAC and survives many hits because they're off target (too high).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If Edelman surpasses Welker, probably the best (or at least second-best) receiver in the league, that would be incredible. But I disagree with the size component. Welker's success is at least partially due to the fact that he's smaller than most slots and tacklers have a hard time adjusting to him at the point of contact. Welker tends to go low after the catch for YAC and survives many hits because they're off target (too high).

Despite the fact that Edelman is listed at 6', he's only 5'10.5", but that's still about 3" more than Welker.

OTOH, Edelman also has better acceleration and speed, so I'd say they're about even in terms of talent. The problem is the experience-at-WR-related intangibles.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

Despite the fact that Edelman is listed at 6', he's only 5'10.5", but that's still about 3" more than Welker.

OTOH, Edelman also has better acceleration and speed, so I'd say they're about even in terms of talent. The problem is the experience-at-WR-related intangibles.

He looked really good last night. Lots of teams would make him a regular #1 or #2. He didn't seem inexperienced at all, IMO. I'm more worried about his arm and Brady's ability to hit him every time because of his injuries.

Need to see an end-around option. That would be fun if we weren't in the playoffs.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

He looked really good last night. Lots of teams would make him a regular #1 or #2. He didn't seem inexperienced at all, IMO. I'm more worried about his arm and Brady's ability to hit him every time because of his injuries.

Well, now they would.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

If he can produce just as well as Wes, then the playoffs should be a breeze. Key word: should

 

[JR4]

Edleman is Not Welker.

I am glad he is here and can step into Wes's role. But I am
not going to expect him to be every thing Welker was.

He looks elusive like Welker but there are many differences.
One is his hands. I think Welkers hands are exceptional.
In watching Edleman I noticed that
Edleman seems to uses his body at times where Welker would use
just his hands. This could mean he may have difficulty making some of
the catches Welker could make.
Another unknown difference could be his toughness not his heart. He
has already had a broken arm. When he starts taking the hits that
Welker got will he be as tough? Don't know.

 

[DaBruinz]

No chance we see him until then. Boomer Esiason said the same thing this a.m.

Yes, and Boomer Esiason has a medical degree from where? Oh wait. He doesn't. In fact, the reality is that until it comes out, specifically, what Welker's injury is, it's pure speculation to say that its 10-12 months.. Also, the 10-12 months is general rule of thumb, but every player is different. Not to mention the advances they've made in ACL reconstruction.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

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...

'Zactly. I have every confidence in Edelman; he's proven himself to be tough and smart, he's fast and agile, and he's got the right attitude. Will he replace Wes like a clone, probably not but I think we'll see the very best he's got 100% of the time. There's not much more we can ask of him

I think we'll see TFB spread the ball around too, Watson's been good but I'd like to see a little more consistency from Sam Aiken which may happen now that Wes is out. They ALL need to be ready now, more than ever. FWIW I was looking forward to seeing both Wes and Edelman out there at the same time off and on during the playoffs

I'm not worried about Edelman stepping up, I'm hoping schemes steps it up. We're gonna need some remixing out there.