Is Edelman being underestimated?

[ctpatsfan77]

Paul Perillo in PFW:

I was wondering what do you think Torry Holt’s role will be on the Pats?
Steve Frost

. . . I think Holt will work out of the slot and hold down a starting spot until Welker is able to return to full strength. Holt is a savvy veteran who knows how to get open and still has great hands. I think he can make some plays underneath despite the loss of his top-flight speed. He should fill in nicely as a complementary piece until Welker gets back.
Paul Perillo

USA Today:

New England Patriots: How to get by while Wes Welker rehabs his tattered knee? He led the league with 123 catches despite essentially missing three games in 2009, two of which the Patriots lost. Tom Brady and Co. will probably have to get by with too-old Torry Holt and too-young Julian Edelman as opponents focus on negating Randy Moss.

The Landry Hat (a Cowboys blog):

Patriots: [Patrick] Crayton would be an upgrade over Julian Edelman as a slot WR. . . .

There are other quotes I could have picked besides these that suggest that Edelman either can't fill Welker's spot until Welker gets healthy, or shouldn't be allowed to.

What makes this perplexing is that Edelman already has put up Welker-like numbers in the slot. Edelman is almost literally the closest thing to a Welker clone since Welker entered the league, so why do people want to put someone else in the slot?

 

[eom]

if anything, I think he's being overestimated.

 

[eagle eye]

I personally think that Julian Edelman is being underestimated and is going to be a big name in this league for a long time.

 

[crowell33]

I personally think that Julian Edelman is being underestimated and is going to be a big name in this league for a long time.

ditto. 10char.

 

[Sciz]

Physically, he's more gifted than Welker. He just needs to continue to get reps at WR and I think he'll be one of the best slot guys in the NFL, including Welker.

 

[smg93]

He's a better passer than Welker too

 

[ctpatsfan77]

He's a better passer than Welker too

Yeah, but Welker's the better kicker.

 

[The Dynasty]

People dont seem to realize that he is just in his 2nd year of playing WR at any level. Its going to take some time for him to completely learn the position. I thought he had a very promising rookie season. He will do some of the things Welker did but I dont think you can say that he will compltely be a full replacement for Welker. He can do some of the same things, but just isnt up to Welker yet

 

[LasVegasPatsFan]

Edelman has surpassed Welker's rookie year numbers. What do people expect a rookie QB turned WR to do his first year? My brother, a huge Dolphin fan, asked me if Welker changed his number. He was the only bright spot in the playoff game. That 4th and 7 play when Edelman took a loss and turned it into a first down was the best play of the game. As much as I like Welker, his absence wouldn't have changed the outcome.

 

[Professor Frink]

Obviously Edelman is no replacement for Welker, certainly not in his 2nd year. I do however believe that he is capeable of playing the role Welker had. He can be the guy who lines up in the slot and work the middle of the field, run those bubble screens, those types of things.

Last year I thought he played like a good #4 WR. Hopefully this year he will improve and because a good #3, to go along with Holt and Moss. I definitley think he is gonna put up some solid numbers in this offense.

 

[smg93]

Yeah, but Welker's the better kicker.

Touche'!

 

[Gunnails]

Obviously Edelman is no replacement for Welker, certainly not in his 2nd year. I do however believe that he is capeable of playing the role Welker had. He can be the guy who lines up in the slot and work the middle of the field, run those bubble screens, those types of things.

Last year I thought he played like a good #4 WR. Hopefully this year he will improve and because a good #3, to go along with Holt and Moss. I definitley think he is gonna put up some solid numbers in this offense.

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:welcome:

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

No, I think he will be a good receiver but I don't think he's consistent enough. Sure, he had a good game against the Ravens but he wasn't the focus and the game was already out of hand. Also, there were times during the year where he would dance around after a catch instead of trying to go though defenders out of position for the 1st down. Two examples of this which killed critical drives were week 2 against the Jets and on Monday night against the Colts. He will obviously have a better year in 2010, but I think 2011 will be his year.

 

[ricogatenby99]

I think Edelman has a fantastic future, I remember last year when we where getting thrashed by the Ravens, and Edelman caught a screen, but battled through about 5 tackles, trucking over Ray Lewis to get the first down, thats when I realised he has a great great future.

 

[dhamz]

Underestimated nationally, overestimated here.

 

[Rob0729]

Edelman was amazing last year considering he was playing WR for the first time. There is a chance he could emerge into a very good WR in his second year. He may not end up being a slot WR when everything is said and done either. He might turn more into a Deion Branch than a Wes Welker. They put him in the slot because it was probably easier to learn the routes as a novice.

As for Holt in the slot, it was already reported that the Pats do not intend on using him there (at least as his primary position) and they intend to line him up on the outside.

 

[zoffle]

He needs to learn to pick his fights, i.e. when to keep moving to try and get the extra yards, like the first down in the ravens game, or when to get down and not take the hit. Welker seems to be a master at avoiding hits (unless he gets blindsided by a certain safety who can't keep his trap shut). If Edelman keeps taking hits like last year he runs the risk of having nagging injuries. He wasn't exactly healthy the full year last year.

He has a very good upside though, and is a quick learner so I'm sure he will pick up the little details of the WR position quickly.

 

[zoffle]

Edelman was amazing last year considering he was playing WR for the first time. There is a chance he could emerge into a very good WR in his second year. He may not end up being a slot WR when everything is said and done either. He might turn more into a Deion Branch than a Wes Welker. They put him in the slot because it was probably easier to learn the routes as a novice.

As for Holt in the slot, it was already reported that the Pats do not intend on using him there (at least as his primary position) and they intend to line him up on the outside.

I think Holt will be a good complement to the rest of the offence running precise short/intermediate routes from the outside.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

We'll soon find out.

 

[zoffle]

When the pats run 2 wide receiver formations, who's the WR on the other side of moss; Edelman, Holt, Tate, Price, other?