Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelman?

[stcjones]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Nope......

 

[stcjones]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelman?
By: Russ Goldman

Could Jeff Demps arrival with the Patriots mean the potential end for Julian Edelman with the team?...

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Ummmmmm.....NO.

 

[SwedishPat]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

EDELMAN

What he brings:

--very good PR skills, with ability to KR too if needed. Either way he offers good ST presence and can take it to the house at any given time

Well thats not really true. He have only scored two times on punt. That's not really a "take it to the house at any given time" stat. He has 4 fumbles on punts in the same period. He is not a bad punt returner, but he is not a threat on punts. I like Julian but he is not ireplaceable like some seems to think here. And he is not a great returner who can take it to the house at any given time.

But I have to say, I like what I have seen from Julian during the first pre-season game and reports.

 

[ClevTrev]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Demps leapfrogs Edelman to be cut? It's not going to happen. The problem with the article and the knee jerk thinking on this is the attempt to compare apples to apples with Demps and Edelman. Demps returns kickoffs and would be a backup RB. Edelman returns punts and would be a backup WR. However similar, and considering that Demps will be tried as a PR and KR, Edelman is a veteran Patriots STeamer who also provides a more than capable WR slot backup and is willing and, in most cases, capable of playing a broader role to help the team. He's exactly the type Belichick and Caserio like having on the squad.

The real question is which position/player will the Patriots cut to keep Demps on the team, as he won't be on the Practice Squad (he'd never clear waivers given the interest in him by other teams). If the Patriots decide to keep Demps (assume this is not a done deal, he'll have to make the team) then it gets interesting. It won't necessarily be RB or WR unless there is a significant falloff in preseason play by one of those position players. Do they go with 2 TEs after the team recently attempted to provide more depth to that position? This is going to be the real question when the team cuts down to 53. Edelman should not be singled out here, as there are many other candidates who are in jeopardy.

 

[patfanken]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Yeah, just a small detail.

Maybe the plan is to not return punts this year. Or we could have Dan Connolly do it and save ourselves a roster spot!

That's just play silly, Rook. EVERYONE knows Connolly made his bones as a kick returner.

 

[Gwedd]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

That's just play silly, Rook. EVERYONE knows Connolly made his bones as a kick returner.

Love watching those big guys run! That has to be one of my favorite Patriots plays. That, and Big Vince's interceptions.

 

[patfanken]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

When I saw the title of this trread/article the first thing I thought was, "Where is Patfanken, the #1 Edelbacker on the board?" Not surprisingly he was the first reply. Lucky for the edelovers he is safe...well, until they draft Honey Badger next year. :singing:

Not so much an Edelman lover as an Edelman defender, Gronk.

You see there is a difference. I can only INFER that Edelman could successfully fill the slot receiver role, though the production he achieved in his rookie year and the encouraging reports from camp. I don't claim to know for certain if he can be that guy. What I rail against are those Edelman haters who would deign to tell use that they KNOW for a fact that Julian sucks and can never be an NFL quality WR,

But thanks for the recognition. You know what they say. There is no such thing as bad publicity.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

I've been hearing reports that Edelman is in competition for the 3rd WR role on this team, that based on the fact that he is one of their 3 best Special teams players means that he isnt going anywhere.

I can't imagine those reports would have any validity. Based on what we know, Edelman has to beat out any one of Lloyd, Gaffney, or Welker in order for that to happen. So, with that in mind, can you honestly see that report being correct?

As for signalling the end of Edelman, I think not. I think it more or less signals the end of one of the multiple FB's we have on the roster.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Edleman isnt going anywhere. He is exactly what BB loves in a player. He does what he's asked, he gets better and hasnt hit a wall and most importantly he is VERSATILE! He's BB's binky leatherman.

 

[supafly]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Well thats not really true. He have only scored two times on punt. he is not a great returner who can take it to the house at any given time.

We seem to have differing opinions on what "take it to the house on any given punt" can mean...

I see the all-time Patriot record holder for punt return average in a season and someone who has brought back a punt return TD in each of his last 2 seasons as being capable of taking it back on any given punt.

To each his own though.

Now it seems that we're getting to the point that we cannot even agree on ANY on Edelman's good traits.

I'm not stating "greatness," I am saying that he's certainly capable of bringing it back for a TD on any given punt return.

 

[ATippett56]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Yeah, just a small detail.

Maybe the plan is to not return punts this year. Or we could have Dan Connolly do it and save ourselves a roster spot!

Connolly is competing with Demps as the team's primary kick returner.

 

[SwedishPat]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

We seem to have differing opinions on what "take it to the house on any given punt" can mean...

I see the all-time Patriot record holder for punt return average in a season and someone who has brought back a punt return TD in each of his last 2 seasons as being capable of taking it back on any given punt.

To each his own though.

Now it seems that we're getting to the point that we cannot even agree on ANY on Edelman's good traits.

I'm not stating "greatness," I am saying that he's certainly capable of bringing it back for a TD on any given punt return.

Thats like saying Kevin Kolb can throw it to the house on any given play. He can throw tds but you are not really scared of it. I wouldn't be scared of having to defend a guy with only two tds in two years. He can pick up good yardage sometimes but he is not someone you gameplan against. You talk about him like he is Patrick Peterson or Hester. Those guys are threats. Edelman is good, but no threat. Don't get me wrong. He is our best punt returner but calling him someone who can take it to the house just because he have done it is really reaching. That is something you say if someone is a threat.

 

[ATippett56]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Edelman is good, but no threat.

Is there anyone currently on the New England Patriots roster who will usurp Julian Edelman as the team's primary punt returner?

 

[Sciz]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Thats like saying Kevin Kolb can throw it to the house on any given play. He can throw tds but you are not really scared of it. I wouldn't be scared of having to defend a guy with only two tds in two years. He can pick up good yardage sometimes but he is not someone you gameplan against. You talk about him like he is Patrick Peterson or Hester. Those guys are threats. Edelman is good, but no threat. Don't get me wrong. He is our best punt returner but calling him someone who can take it to the house just because he have done it is really reaching. That is something you say if someone is a threat.

Good job. You just named the only two players to have more PR TDs over the past two years. Edelman is tied for third. I'd have to say that makes him pretty good.

 

[supafly]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

I'm not stating "greatness," I am saying that he's certainly capable of bringing it back for a TD on any given punt return.

You talk about him like he is Patrick Peterson or Hester.

Really? I'm "talking about him like he's Peterson or Hester?" Where? Where did I do that?

As I said already, I'm not saying that Edelman has 'greatness,' but I am saying that he can take it to the house on any given punt return.

As Sciz points out, that would make Edelman rank 3rd behind the two guys who you deem as 'great' in the past 2 seasons--Hester and Peterson. I'm not sure what else you want? You said that "I act like he is Hester or Peterson," (which I didn't...at all, but here you go---)

Since you want to throw Hester's name around: "•In 2010, Edelman set a franchise record for the highest punt return average in a single-season with a 15.3-yard average, which led the AFC and finished second in the NFL behind Chicago's Devin Hester."

I would respectfully beg to differ that other teams aren't spending any time gameplanning for his returns on any level. If they aren't then that's their problem.

Again, I'm not stating his greatness, but I am certainly going to stick to my statement of his ability to bring it to the house on punt returns.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

We seem to have differing opinions on what "take it to the house on any given punt" can mean...

I see the all-time Patriot record holder for punt return average in a season and someone who has brought back a punt return TD in each of his last 2 seasons as being capable of taking it back on any given punt.

He's actually done it four times—the two that count, once against the Iggles in the preseason as a rookie, and once in the Chicago snow game (that one got called back on a ticky-tack penalty).

 

[Sfpat]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

I like Edelmans potential as a player, both special teams and as a receiver. I believe that if given the chance, he would be a very successful slot receiver, potentially one of the best in the league (he won't be Welker, but then again, there never has been and there probably never will be one again). That said, if Edelman is cut, my only response will have to be "wow, the Pats are loaded if they can cut a player of his talent." Some other team (most likely the Cardinals) will get to benefit from his talent.

 

[UK_Pat37]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

I like Edelmans potential as a player, both special teams and as a receiver. I believe that if given the chance, he would be a very successful slot receiver, potentially one of the best in the league (he won't be Welker, but then again, there never has been and there probably never will be one again). That said, if Edelman is cut, my only response will have to be "wow, the Pats are loaded if they can cut a player of his talent." Some other team (most likely the Cardinals) will get to benefit from his talent.

I don't know how many times we're going to go over this, but we don't really have the need for a true slot receiver any more!!!!!

You don't need many hands to count the number of times we use WW as a true slot receiver over the course of the season since the arrival of Hernandez.

Edelman has to prove he can be valuable as a split end if he holds any promise for the future. I personally think he's a little over hyped by Pats fans but he's found a niche with us. He's not got the speed in my eyes to have any effect at split end either.

As long as Hernandez and Gronk are both getting on the field, we're going to need taller or at least speedier guys than JE who can be moved over outside the numbers. If he can't do that, here's not going to be a chance for him to show he's one of the better slot guys in the game. He may well be, but the role is limited here now.

That all bring said, I think you're over hyping him a tad. Has strong camps but hasn't been able to force out ageing receivers. With one year left, unless he does it this year, I can't see him having his contract renewed unless we are desperat to keep the numbers up.

 

[chevss454]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

My first response would be that BB seems to love Edelman's jack-of-all-trades ability. My 2nd thought is that Edelman is a pretty good punt returner as has been pointed out above. Third, Edelman is having a very good camp by all accounts even though drops have been an issue.

Now let's look at Demps. He's fast and he has great lateral quickness. But how was he used at Florida?

RETURNS:
2011: 10KR/250 (25.0), 1 TD (Andre Debose had 19/495, 1 TD)
2010: 8KR/260 (32.5), 0 TD (Debose - 21/587, 2 TDs)
2009: 2KR/55, 0 TD (Brandon James - 29/756, 1 TD)
2008: 1KR/39, 2PR/37 (James - 32/738, 0 TD)

As you can see, Demps was never even Fla's primary KOR guy and returned 2 punts, both his freshman year.

RUSHING:
2011 (12 games): 98/569 (5.81), 6 TDs
2010 (12 games): 92/551 (5.99), 3 TDs
2009 (14 games): 99/745 (7.53), 7 TDs
2008: 78/605 (7.76), 7 TDs

Rainey was their primary guy.

RECEIVING:
2011: 16 rec/172, 0 TD (Demps was 7th among receivers and 2nd to Rainey among RBs)
2010: 18 rec/116, 0 TD
2009: 8 rec/52, 0 TD
2008: 15 rec/141, 1 TD

Demps wasn't a major receiving weapon by any stretch at Florida. As difficult as the Pats receiver positions are to learn, I don't foresee much production for him there, at least for this year. Maybe an occasional gadget or trick play designed just for him as an experiment by McD could be thrown in but how could anyone think BB will sacrifice the years of experience running routes and reading defenses that Edelman has?

If Demps makes the team, I think he will be used
1) as a KOR guy if he shows he can catch the ball and not fumble during the return. He's got the speed and seems to have the vision required.
2) as a punt rush guy for punt blocks.

& in space on offense for occasional/situational experimentation by McD
3) as a RB (sweeps, screens, reverses)
4) as a receiver out of the backfield/slot
5) as a decoy
I'm beginning to think the addition of Demps means trouble for the FB position and specifically for Spencer Larsen even though he'll make it or not on his own merits. One thing I should point out here is that the Pats' website changed Kettani's designation from RB to FB 5 days ago. And Bolden needs to emerge over the next 10 days. It wouldn't hurt Kettani any to perform well either.

In the end, I see Demps as an addition for STs and not as a replacement for anyone or any position in particular.

 

[TyronePoole]

Re: Could The Signing Of Jeff Demps With The Patriots Signal The End For Julian Edelm

Hopefully they can teach him to run the go route they keep trying to get Slater to do.