The Official Julian Edelman Bandwagon

[JJDChE]

This guy deserves more credit than he's getting. I'm jumping on the bandwagon. It'll probably be lonely here, but screw it. Dude is a converted QB and has worked his way into the starting lineup of one of the best offenses ever to take an NFL field. I, for one, don't believe for a second that it's just to screw Welker confused. He's out there because he won the job and I want to see what he can do with it. Yeah, it'll take some time, but give him a chance. He might actually turn out to be worthy.

 

[signbabybrady]

This guy deserves more credit than he's getting. I'm jumping on the bandwagon. It'll probably be lonely here, but screw it. Dude is a converted QB and has worked his way into the starting lineup of one of the best offenses ever to take an NFL field. I, for one, don't believe for a second that it's just to screw Welker confused. He's out there because he won the job and I want to see what he can do with it. Yeah, it'll take some time, but give him a chance. He might actually turn out to be worthy.

Agreed he is not Wes seems to be the only complaint that people have. Sure we would like to see more production but give it time but also you might not get the same production from him that Wes gave. All that said he earned his spots and deserves his chances but he is not better than Wes and should not be getting more reps.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

This guy deserves more credit than he's getting. I'm jumping on the bandwagon. It'll probably be lonely here, but screw it. Dude is a converted QB and has worked his way into the starting lineup of one of the best offenses ever to take an NFL field. I, for one, don't believe for a second that it's just to screw Welker confused. He's out there because he won the job and I want to see what he can do with it. Yeah, it'll take some time, but give him a chance. He might actually turn out to be worthy.

Yeah, he's awesome. Pretty much every interception or major screw-up on offense has been on a play where was the main target over the last two years. But hey, he's "worked his way into the starting lineup." Forget that it was Welker's hard work throughout his entire career as the reason why Julie was even given a chance in the NFL.

You will me see rolling my eyes from the rear view mirror of your bandwagon.

 

[Sicilian]

Forget that it was Welker's hard work throughout his entire career as the reason why Julie was even given a chance in the NFL.

??? You may have to explain this one...

 

[BradyManny]

Look, we all like the guy. He's a good STer, and a good slot guy. But people claiming more than that are projecting. He was, by every metric, one of the least productive wide receivers in the NFL in 2010 & 2011 given his playing time. I don't care how good his camp was, he needs to do it on the field, in a game.

And you aren't in the minority or going out on a limb by starting this bandwagon. A bulk of this board is infatuated with Julian Edelman and has been ready to jettison Welker for some time. Too bad they're both free agents at the end of the season, so there's no guarantees on either of them.

 

[JJDChE]

Agreed he is not Wes seems to be the only complaint that people have. Sure we would like to see more production but give it time but also you might not get the same production from him that Wes gave. All that said he earned his spots and deserves his chances but he is not better than Wes and should not be getting more reps.

I'm not 100% sure Wes is better. That's the point of putting Edelman out there. We have to figure out what he is in real time. Wes is great and certainly has the production behind him to say he deserves to be out there. Now, I won't be surprised in the least if it turns out that Edelman can't live up to Wes, but I acknowledge there's a slim chance.

Correct we if I'm wrong, but Edelman isn't getting more reps than Wes, the whole hubbub is abotu the fact the Edelman is getting on the field at all, which is taking a few snaps away from Wes.

 

[Alfred]

Agreed he is not Wes seems to be the only complaint that people have. Sure we would like to see more production but give it time but also you might not get the same production from him that Wes gave. All that said he earned his spots and deserves his chances but he is not better than Wes and should not be getting more reps.

In three seasons plus two games in 2012, (2009-2012) he has a total of 54 receptions and only one touchdown scored as a receiver (2009).

Numbers that are not very impressive.

 

[Tunescribe]

This guy deserves more credit than he's getting. I'm jumping on the bandwagon. It'll probably be lonely here, but screw it. Dude is a converted QB and has worked his way into the starting lineup of one of the best offenses ever to take an NFL field. I, for one, don't believe for a second that it's just to screw Welker confused. He's out there because he won the job and I want to see what he can do with it. Yeah, it'll take some time, but give him a chance. He might actually turn out to be worthy.

There's actually some anecdotal evidence to back this up. Edelman reportedly worked his tail off with Brady during the off-season while Welker was going through his contract turmoil. Plus, BB has stated that he has improved EVERY aspect of his game over last year. And let's face it: with the ongoing emphasis on tight ends in the passing game plus addition of a legit outside threat in Lloyd, slot receiver isn't as vital to the passing game as before.

Edelman isn't as good a receiver as Welker, but he apparently is good enough that the drop-off isn't catastrophic. Another key is that he's quite arguably a better punt returner than Wes. It seems likely to me that Welker won't be back next season and that Edelman is his (younger) replacement.

Finally, Edelman has shown added versatility playing defensive back AND I would presume he's likely the third (emergency) quarterback given his college background. Add it up and his elevation of status makes sense from the team's perspective while not boding well for Welker being a Patriot after this season.

It might end up that Wes shot himself in the foot by playing hardball in contract negotiations (especially at his age) and not signing a team-friendly pact vs. signing the franchise tag.

 

[BradyManny]

I'm not 100% sure Wes is better. That's the point of putting Edelman out there. We have to figure out what he is in real time. Wes is great and certainly has the production behind him to say he deserves to be out there. Now, I won't be surprised in the least if it turns out that Edelman can't live up to Wes, but I acknowledge there's a slim chance.

Correct we if I'm wrong, but Edelman isn't getting more reps than Wes, the whole hubbub is abotu the fact the Edelman is getting on the field at all, which is taking a few snaps away from Wes.

We've also seen Shawn Crable get 100% snaps one week and cut the next. We can't read into these things, they are complicated. Edelman could've been getting snaps just to rest Welker. The team might simply be pushing Edelman to see where he can play. They may be rewarding a strong camp from him. They may be using Edelman as a stopgap until bringing Branch and/or Gaffney back, using those roster moves to bolster overall WR depth by acquiring Salas and getting him to the PS safely a few weeks into the season, and getting those vets signed up on non-guaranteed contracts.

Who knows?

Either way, snaps don't mean a lot. Production does.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

JE is a gamer and I'm sure no one is questioning that. My thing here is if its not broke why fix it. In this case Welker perfected it. He's been #1 slot receiver or as I like to refer to him as just Receiver. It's not like D coordinators came up with a sure fire scheme to stop Welker especially with our 2 TEs in.

 

[JJDChE]

Look, we all like the guy. He's a good STer, and a good slot guy. But people claiming more than that are projecting. He was, by every metric, one of the least productive wide receivers in the NFL in 2010 & 2011 given his playing time. I don't care how good his camp was, he needs to do it on the field, in a game.

I think we both know he wasn't given much of a shot. How many guys who were routinely the 4th or 5th option on the field were productive?

I honestly wonder if putting him out there without Wes is trying to force Brady's hand to look at him. Welker is obviously his binky, for good reason, but Brady seems less likely to spread it around the last couple of years. Clearly he and Wes are good friends, so that may be another issue. I wouldn't put it past him.

And you aren't in the minority or going out on a limb by starting this bandwagon. A bulk of this board is infatuated with Julian Edelman and has been ready to jettison Welker for some time.

Huh? I certainly have missed that sentiment. Who the heck wants to jettison Welker?

Too bad they're both free agents at the end of the season, so there's no guarantees on either of them.

I GUARANTEE that Edelman's contract will be cheaper.

 

[Ivan]

Good Punt returner and a good 5th/6th WR, count me in.

 

[condon84]

Yeah, he's awesome. Pretty much every interception or major screw-up on offense has been on a play where was the main target over the last two years. But hey, he's "worked his way into the starting lineup." Forget that it was Welker's hard work throughout his entire career as the reason why Julie was even given a chance in the NFL.

You will me see rolling my eyes from the rear view mirror of your bandwagon.

 

[BradyManny]

I think we both know he wasn't given much of a shot. How many guys who were routinely the 4th or 5th option on the field were productive?

I'm talking about metrics by FootballOutsiders and/or AdvancedFootballStats. Either way, they are all adjusted for playing time, and per snap, Julian Edelman was one of the league's least-effective wide receivers in the last few years. He was less effective than Ocho, and by a wide margin, for instance. Edelman has a lot to his credit, as I said in the other thread, and he has a skillset very suited for the slot. But they are currently using him on the outside quite often, and until he produces, I will hope for the use of players who have been more productive in that role.

Huh? I certainly have missed that sentiment. Who the heck wants to jettison Welker?

I would say the fanbase is much less attached to Wes than is was 12 months ago. This offseason showed as much.

I GUARANTEE that Edelman's contract will be cheaper.

Right, because he's not as good.

And honestly, if the team wants to move on with Edelman instead of Welker as its slot guy and points to money as why, I can buy it. They can argue a de-emphasis of the slot receiver in this offense, and the growing use of Hernandez in the slot. That's really all fine. But we can't argue that Wes is a much better player; and we can't argue that Edelman has done nothing as an outside receiver to this point, so to pencil him in there going forward seems unwise to me.

Again, my knock is not on Julian at all. It's the usage of him, and/or the projected usage of him.

 

[JJDChE]

Yeah, he's awesome. Pretty much every interception or major screw-up on offense has been on a play where was the main target over the last two years. But hey, he's "worked his way into the starting lineup." Forget that it was Welker's hard work throughout his entire career as the reason why Julie was even given a chance in the NFL.

You will me see rolling my eyes from the rear view mirror of your bandwagon.

Fortunately you've proven you don't need to be taken seriously, so I won't worry about it.

 

[Jackson 2]

There are people here who would not be satisfied if Edelman were cut. They want him executed.

 

[BradyManny]

There are people here who would not be satisfied if Edelman were cut. They want him executed.

Who?

This is my issue. The hyperbole surrounding Edelman has gotten out of control and surpassed anyone else on the team.

 

[JJDChE]

I'm talking about metrics by FootballOutsiders and/or AdvancedFootballStats. Either way, they are all adjusted for playing time, and per snap, Julian Edelman was one of the league's least-effective wide receivers in the last few years. He was less effective than Ocho, and by a wide margin, for instance. Edelman has a lot to his credit, as I said in the other thread, and he has a skillset very suited for the slot. But they are currently using him on the outside quite often, and until he produces, I will hope for the use of players who have been more productive in that role.

I don't put a lot of stock in those stats to begin with, but in this case even less so.

I would say the fanbase is much less attached to Wes than is was 12 months ago. This offseason showed as much.

Well, yeah. He's pretty much guaranteed not to be here after this year, so people will start distancing. That doesn't quite equate to a large portion of the fan base wanting to jettison him.

Right, because he's not as good.

And honestly, if the team wants to move on with Edelman instead of Welker as its slot guy and points to money as why, I can buy it. They can argue a de-emphasis of the slot receiver in this offense, and the growing use of Hernandez in the slot. That's really all fine. But we can't argue that Wes is a much better player; and we can't argue that Edelman has done nothing as an outside receiver to this point, so to pencil him in there going forward seems unwise to me.

Again, my knock is not on Julian at all. It's the usage of him, and/or the projected usage of him.

I want to see what he does on the field in a role that actually requires him to produce before I say he's not worthy of being there. It's really too early to judge.

 

[shmessy]

This guy deserves more credit than he's getting. I'm jumping on the bandwagon.

Welcome aboard from those who've been here (and have taken alot of crap for it) a few years now.

 

[JJDChE]

I still don't understand how we haven't run a trick play with Edelman throwing the ball. That has to be coming at some point, right?