Julian Edelman

[rookBoston]

I was watching film of the preseason game against the Saints, and there was a shot of Edelman on the sidelines, and I was thinking "who's that guy?". At first I thought maybe it was one of the TEs, Tyler Urban maybe. No, turns out it was our QB turned WR turned PR turned S. Edelman looks like he grew up in the offseason. He's bigger, leaner. I was shocked to see him.

Last year
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2011/football/nfl/11/01/julian.edelman.ap/julian-edelman.jpg

This year
http://multimedia.heraldinteractive.com/images/20120730/e9e6aa_jedelman73012.jpg

Hell, that's some off-season workout. He's starting to look like... dare I say it... Wes Welker. Edelman won one of the off-season awards, which seems to confirm. Also, I wonder if his brush with the law (was it last year?) might not have shocked some reality into him. With his contract year looking him in the face, and the opportunity to leapfrog some declining veterans to earn a role on the offense, I think he could be in for a big year. He's obviously putting in the time.

Against the Saints, Edelman, Stallworth and Gaffney were running with the 2s, but Edelman was the one getting most the looks. The commentators called one of his receptions, saying "Welker sure knows how to work that part of the field". It was Edelman.

Short of it: Edelman is my sleeper pick for breakthru player in 2012. Between him and Cunningham, I think fans will be pleased and surprised at the production from players we thought we knew. Really, the biggest challenge for Edelman is the fact that he's playing directly behind a Franchise Tagged $9.5MM player on the depth chart who has pretty much defined the ideal at the position.

 

[Jackson 2]

I was watching film of the preseason game against the Saints, and there was a shot of Edelman on the sidelines, and I was thinking "who's that guy?". At first I thought maybe it was one of the TEs, Tyler Urban maybe. No, turns out it was our QB turned WR turned PR turned S. Edelman looks like he grew up in the offseason. He's bigger, leaner. I was shocked to see him.

Last year
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2011/football/nfl/11/01/julian.edelman.ap/julian-edelman.jpg

This year
http://multimedia.heraldinteractive.com/images/20120730/e9e6aa_jedelman73012.jpg

Hell, that's some off-season workout. He's starting to look like... dare I say it... Wes Welker. Edelman won one of the off-season awards, which seems to confirm. Also, I wonder if his brush with the law (was it last year?) might not have shocked some reality into him. With his contract year looking him in the face, and the opportunity to leapfrog some declining veterans to earn a role on the offense, I think he could be in for a big year. He's obviously putting in the time.

Against the Saints, Edelman, Stallworth and Gaffney were running with the 2s, but Edelman was the one getting most the looks. The commentators called one of his receptions, saying "Welker sure knows how to work that part of the field". It was Edelman.

Short of it: Edelman is my sleeper pick for breakthru player in 2012. Between him and Cunningham, I think fans will be pleased and surprised at the production from players we thought we knew. Really, the biggest challenge for Edelman is the fact that he's playing directly behind a Franchise Tagged $9.5MM player on the depth chart who has pretty much defined the ideal at the position.

Posting positives about Edelman around here can be hazardous to your health...

 

[supafly]

I agree that Edelman can be a potential player that may show us more of the flashes that we've seen in the past couple/few yrs, and he's certainly one that I feel has a lot of value on ST's and was never on the 'bubble' that so many said he was.

That said though, his value at WR remains to be determined, and while I do think that he definitely gets more looks than last year (trick plays, and more overall reps at WR), I still don't know how many opportunities he will get. That is obviously a key issue.

I do think that he will be a player here next year though, and should be signed at a reasonable cost. I also believe that he may have something to do with filling the expected loss of Welker on some level, although that plan remains to be seen too as many feel that it will automatically be Hernandez.

 

[Sciz]

Bedard today:

The Patriots need to find a way to get Julian Edelman the ball more in the open field during games. He can be electric. Edelman has had a great camp and he and Brady hooked up on a 50-yard bomb touchdown that torched S James Ihedigbo.

Practice rundown #15 - Extra Points - Boston.com

I've been saying that first part for more than a season. With the possible exception of Hernandez, Edelman is the most dangerous ball carrier on the team. There have been good reports from him constantly through camp, and he's made quite a few big passing plays.

Enough of this Edelman on the bubble crap. I'm more interested in if Edelman beats out Branch and Stallworth for the #4 job.

 

[rookBoston]

I think the fact that BB was kicking the tires on Plax started me wondering about his discontent with the WR corp, who everyone feels is incredibly deep and experienced. But if Plaxico was worth a closer look, then I'm wondering if dissatisfaction with Branch and Stallworth might not be part of it. Gaffney seemed like a non-factor in the Saints game, too.

If those guys are looking flat, then maybe Edelman has a shot to win the #3 role after Lloyd and Welker straight up.

Since posting my original, I read the most recent installation from the Globe: Extra Points - New England Patriots News and Analysis - Boston.com ...find Practice Notes #15, Odds and Ends

The Patriots need to find a way to get Julian Edelman the ball more in the open field during games. He can be electric. Edelman has had a great camp and he and Brady hooked up on a 50-yard bomb touchdown that torched S James Ihedigbo.

Hm.

 

[rookBoston]

Bedard today:

Practice rundown #15 - Extra Points - Boston.com

I've been saying that first part for more than a season. With the possible exception of Hernandez, Edelman is the most dangerous ball carrier on the team. There have been good reports from him constantly through camp, and he's made quite a few big passing plays.

Enough of this Edelman on the bubble crap. I'm more interested in if Edelman beats out Branch and Stallworth for the #4 job.

jinx... 1... 2... 3... owe me a beer

 

[Ring 6]

Wow, Edelman has gone from 11 catches in 2 seasons to beating out Gaffney, Branch and Stallworth?
I have to stop watching football games and start payng more attention to optimistic fans opinions of their favorite end of the roster underdog, because I never would have guessed this from watching them play.

 

[rookBoston]

Wow, Edelman has gone from 11 catches in 2 seasons to beating out Gaffney, Branch and Stallworth?
I have to stop watching football games and start payng more attention to optimistic fans opinions of their favorite end of the roster underdog, because I never would have guessed this from watching them play.

That's your rebuttal? He hasn't done it in the last two years, what makes us think he'll do it this year?

Other than the fact that he's (1) visibly changed his body, (2) is reported as "electric" in TC, and (3) outplayed the other vets in the Saints game? Isn't that the type of stuff we're looking for in off season play? Players on the rise, making their mark?

And, it's not like he has no NFL resume at all. He was productive as a rookie after Welker tore up his knee.

 

[Deus Irae]

11 games played and 7 starts as a rookie, and Edelman had 37 receptions, and that's his best season as a receiver. Can we please stop pretending that he's shown he would be a seamless replacement for Welker or is some mega talent that's just been held back because the likes of Brandon Tate were just so outstanding?

 

[PatsBoy12]

Ed is just like Hernandez to me in the sense that if you can get him the ball in the open field, he can make people miss and get good yardage. The Pats need to find more ways to get that guy the ball, but with the wealth of other talent, that's just difficult at the moment.

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Wow, Edelman has gone from 11 catches in 2 seasons to beating out Gaffney, Branch and Stallworth?
I have to stop watching football games and start payng more attention to optimistic fans opinions of their favorite end of the roster underdog, because I never would have guessed this from watching them play.

Yeah, and I totally saw it coming when Miles Austin had 81 catches, 1320 yards and 11 TDs in 2009 after watching him catch 18 passes in his first three seasons.

Do I expect Edelman to go off and have an amazing season that compares to what Austin did? No, of course not. But I don't think it's crazy to hear constant positive reports of Edelman and think he has a shot to be more productive than Gaffney, Branch and Stallworth. (two of which might not even make the team)

 

[rookBoston]

I don't get it. If you guys are so entrenched in your opinions on him, then why even track the off season?

My final thought for the night: contract year. It's done more for lesser players than Julian. Watch for it, I'm just saying.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't get it. If you guys are so entrenched in your opinions on him, then why even track the off season?

My final thought for the night: contract year. It's done more for lesser players than Julian. Watch for it, I'm just saying.

:confused2:

I don't really think that "He's had 3 seasons and hasn't shown it yet, so I'll wait until I see it before going hog wild." is being entrenched. To each his own, though.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I'm a fan of Edelman and I think he's almost a lock to make the final roster, but I can't really see him having this 'breakout' season. There's at least 5 options in the passing offense that will get looks before him, at that point how much can you really produce. I see another season of all around contributions, hopefully another year of being an elite PR, which makes him very valuable.

 

[rookBoston]

:confused2:

I don't really think that "He's had 3 seasons and hasn't shown it yet, so I'll wait until I see it before going hog wild." is being entrenched. To each his own, though.

I need to go to bed, but can't leave this alone...

"hog wild"?!? In thinking that Edelman may be able to compete with Gaffney for the #3 spot? Really, I think we should reserve hog wild for much bigger stretches of the imagination than the idea that Edelman might actually (!) be competitive at WR.

 

[Deus Irae]

I need to go to bed, but can't leave this alone...

"hog wild"?!? In thinking that Edelman may be able to compete with Gaffney for the #3 spot? Really, I think we should reserve hog wild for much bigger stretches of the imagination than the idea that Edelman might actually (!) be competitive at WR.

One thing we have seen in the 3 seasons with Edelman is that he hasn't been able to do anything from the outside, and his limited success has come almost exclusively from the slot. Now, suddenly, you're trying to put him up with a guy who had 900+ yards receiving last year, and who can play as an outside receiver.

Yeah, unless Gaffney's gone into a steep decline over the offseason, it's unlikely that Edelman's gotten anywhere near to catching him on the depth chart. At this point, "show me first" seems like the most prudent approach, IMO.

 

[rookBoston]

One thing we have seen in the 3 seasons with Edelman is that he hasn't been able to do anything from the outside, and his limited success has come almost exclusively from the slot. Now, suddenly, you're trying to put him up with a guy who had 900+ yards receiving last year, and who can play as an outside receiver.

Yeah, unless Gaffney's gone into a steep decline over the offseason, it's unlikely that Edelman's gotten anywhere near to catching him on the depth chart. At this point, "show me first" seems like the most prudent approach, IMO.

I can pretty much promise you that Gaffney will not hit 900 yards this year. And I would be so bold as to suggest that he wouldn't have had 900 yards if he'd been on the Pats roster last year either with the rest of the targets that Brady has. Edelman was roped into playing D and ST, which I think Gaffney would not have been able to pull off.

Established veteran who looks a bit flat and frustrated, vs a young-un showing notable improvement in camp. Reasonable to wonder if the gap--which is real-- might be narrowing enough to be measurable. I think that sounds closer to "competitive" than "hog wild".

BTW, as a reminder: Gaffney was a bust in his first three years with the Texans and was cut by the Eagles in TC his fourth year. He didn't break through until year 5 after BB signed him off the trash heap. Isn't that ironic, given the conversation?

 

[letekro]

He played in the slot as a rookie and was effective. That was 3 years ago and he looks to be much improved. I suspect he will be very effective when given the full-time role, which will be next year unless Wes takes very short money to return.

I don't think he has the receiving chops or body type to threaten the Gaffney/Branch/Stallworth group on the outside.

 

[Deus Irae]

I can pretty much promise you that Gaffney will not hit 900 yards this year. And I would be so bold as to suggest that he wouldn't have had 900 yards if he'd been on the Pats roster last year either with the rest of the targets that Brady has. Edelman was roped into playing D and ST, which I think Gaffney would not have been able to pull off.

You're arguing that Gaffney likely won't get as many yards because he'll be the 5th option in the Patriots system. I agree.

You're arguing that Gaffney wouldn't be as good as a CB as Edelman. I agree.

Neither of the above changes anything we've discussed.

Established veteran who looks a bit flat and frustrated, vs a young-un showing notable improvement in camp. Reasonable to wonder if the gap--which is real-- might be narrowing enough to be measurable. I think that sounds closer to "competitive" than "hog wild".

First, I went to a camp practice, and I've been following the reports. I've not seen much of this "a bit flat and frustrated" being covered, and I certainly didn't see it when I was there.

You're now trying to get to a point where you can split hairs on my saying I'm not going to be "hog wild" about Edelman and your claim of him being competitive. Sorry, not buying it. First, Gaffney is practicing on the outside and Edelman's practicing in the slot. Second, Edelman's had 3 years, and now he has to show more than what he has to date.

BTW, as a reminder: Gaffney was a bust in his first three years with the Texans and was cut by the Eagles in TC his fourth year. He didn't break through until year 5 after BB signed him off the trash heap. Isn't that ironic, given the conversation?

Edelman has 48 career receptions for 479 yards. Gaffney's season numbers in years 1-4:

41 for 483
34 for 402
41 for 632
55 for 492

So, his yardage during those "bust" years, in each season but one, was more than Edelman's gotten in his 3 year career (39 games, 10 starts), and 3 times out of 4 he had 40+ receptions, as well, putting him no further than 6 receptions off of Edelman's career numbers in those 3 seasons.

Furthermore, since leaving New England, Gaffney's gone:

54 for 732
65 for 875
68 for 947

so Edelman's not competing against the "bust" Gaffney that you brought up, but a superior receiver (not that I think Edelman's really competing against Gaffney, since I see his competition as Ebert and, to an extent, Branch).

 

[Joker]

I think you'd find that Brady would look for Gaffney first and check down to Edelman on any passing play involving the two of them...first, just because with Edelman in the slot that means Welker is NOT on the field and secondly,by normal progression, Brady would look to the outside first before checking down to the slot...unless of course the play called is designed for the slot as primary.

Personally, I trust Gaffney's hands on passing plays more than Edelman's...I could be biased by the disappointment I've felt watching Edelman these past three years muff some easy throws...but I'm having hard time trying to see the either/or part of all this. I don't think Edelman has anything to do with whether Gaffney makes it or not. I think they both stick...anyway...guess we'll find out in a few weeks