Edelman is a key, believe it or not

[ivanvamp]

I think Edelman may be the key player in the "What is the best way to approach the offseason for the Pats?" issue. If the Pats believe he can give them 80% of what Welker did (not necessarily in terms of production but in terms of effectiveness...and no, those aren't the same things), then they can do it at a fraction of the cost and use Welker's money to shore up the team elsewhere.

I personally think he has the skill not to duplicate what Welker does, because Wes is a unique player. But I do think Edelman can be a very, very effective replacement, at a much lower cost. The issue for him is whether or not he can stay healthy. One of the great things about Welker is that he's a cyborg, apparently. He takes so many huge hits and just keeps on playing. Edelman spends a lot more time injured than Welker does.

But if they had confidence in Edelman - and really, couldn't that be the reason they gave him so much playing time to start the year, instead of Welker...as a sort of "tryout"? - they could then spend the $10 million on defensive help or to add another big-time receiver.

 

[Gronkandez]

He simply can't be depended on to stay healthy IMO. Between Gronk, Hernandez and Edelman you'd be lucky to have two of them on the field at the same time.

 

[Jackson 2]

I think Edelman may be the key player in the "What is the best way to approach the offseason for the Pats?" issue. If the Pats believe he can give them 80% of what Welker did (not necessarily in terms of production but in terms of effectiveness...and no, those aren't the same things), then they can do it at a fraction of the cost and use Welker's money to shore up the team elsewhere.

I personally think he has the skill not to duplicate what Welker does, because Wes is a unique player. But I do think Edelman can be a very, very effective replacement, at a much lower cost. The issue for him is whether or not he can stay healthy. One of the great things about Welker is that he's a cyborg, apparently. He takes so many huge hits and just keeps on playing. Edelman spends a lot more time injured than Welker does.

But if they had confidence in Edelman - and really, couldn't that be the reason they gave him so much playing time to start the year, instead of Welker...as a sort of "tryout"? - they could then spend the $10 million on defensive help or to add another big-time receiver.

Praising Edelman in any way, shape or form is a sure-fire way to get yourself in trouble around here. You've been warned!

 

[DarrylStingley]

He simply can't be depended on to stay healthy IMO. Between Gronk, Hernandez and Edelman you'd be luck to have two of them on the field at the same time.

A good friend who is an astute Pats observer always says that Edelman's playing style is so balls to the wall that he will not be able to stay on the field. He even predicted that he'd be knocked out for the season by week 10.

Edelman's abandon is what makes him great. But I'm not convinced that he can stay on the field playing as he does.

I hope he can as his performance against the Jests on TGiving night was electrifying. Here's to more of that AND him staying healthy.

I just don't know that we can count on it.

 

[Bhelmet]

I think Edelman and Vereen make up for Welker. It will take 2 guys to replace him - and health is always an issue no matter who the player.

 

[Brady2Moss]

Praising Edelman in any way, shape or form is a sure-fire way to get yourself in trouble around here. You've been warned!

According to Deus Irae he's been a massive success and we don't need any other receiver besides him and Welker!

 

[Nehalem]

He simply can't be depended on to stay healthy IMO. Between Gronk, Hernandez and Edelman you'd be luck to have two of them on the field at the same time.

This is the part that scares me the most.

 

[DarrylStingley]

According to Deus Irae he's been a massive success and we don't need any other receiver besides him and Welker!

As a Boston sports fan who regularly deals with NYers where I live, I feel for you being in Maryland right now.

Must not be terrific.

 

[Brady2Moss]

As a Boston sports fan who regularly deals with NYers where I live, I feel for you being in Maryland right now.

Must not be terrific.

I'm on vacation from school thankfully, I'm flying back this Sunday...not looking forward to being jested by all the Raven bandwagoners at school :bricks:

 

[TruthSeeker]

Sign the beast.

 

[mayoclinic]

A good friend who is an astute Pats observer always says that Edelman's playing style is so balls to the wall that he will not be able to stay on the field. He even predicted that he'd be knocked out for the season by week 10.

Edelman's abandon is what makes him great. But I'm not convinced that he can stay on the field playing as he does.

I hope he can as his performance against the Jests on TGiving night was electrifying. Here's to more of that AND him staying healthy.

I just don't know that we can count on it.

I think Edelman and Vereen make up for Welker. It will take 2 guys to replace him - and health is always an issue no matter who the player.

I think that Edelman is a poor man's Randall Cobb, who adds a terrific dimension to the offense. He has an explosiveness that Welker lacks, and he is capable of creating big plays, as is Vereen. Those 2 guys together make a very dangerous combination, IMHO - it's difficult to cover them both, they can be moved around in a lot of ways, and either is capable of breaking lose for a huge play.

But I also agree that Edelman's style of play is very reckless, and that he is likely to be banged up on a regular basis. It comes with the territory. I think he should be re-signed and will be a valuable weapon, but I also think that you don't want to count on him too much, at your own peril.

 

[signbabybrady]

I find this assertion to be way off base. Edelman has very little to do with it.

Brady is the key and if you want to save the money on Welker I dont disagree with that as I think that would be my preference however I just dont see this team not bringing him back.

Especially given the TEs we have Brady does not need Wes in order for the passing game to be good enough. And regardless of Edelman this is true. Under this scenario your passing attack will still be at the top of the league but will likely take a step back but you save anywhere from 5-9 mil depending on if we would tag Wes and depending on what we replace Wes with if we didnt. That money could be used to make the D better.

What I see happening is both Wes and Edelman will be retained and a cheaper option will be brought in to be a deep threat either through the draft or a second or third tier FA. This does two things it gives us a deep option and it increases depth and it doesn't really change the money we spend on the position from this year to next.

 

[BradyBranch39]

A good friend who is an astute Pats observer always says that Edelman's playing style is so balls to the wall that he will not be able to stay on the field. He even predicted that he'd be knocked out for the season by week 10.

Edelman's abandon is what makes him great. But I'm not convinced that he can stay on the field playing as he does.

I hope he can as his performance against the Jests on TGiving night was electrifying. Here's to more of that AND him staying healthy.

I just don't know that we can count on it.

I have said this before too... Edelman plays in such a fashion that leaves his body open for a ton of hits. But it also makes him a great player when he's out there. I think he absolutely needs to be signed... it would be a huge mistake to let him go.

 

[DocHoliday]

It's inevitable really. He's a QB by trade and he probably didn't learn how to protect himself from hits like longtime WRs.

He needs to learn how to hit the deck when it's clear there aren't any more yards to be gotten.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I think Edelman and Vereen make up for Welker. It will take 2 guys to replace him - and health is always an issue no matter who the player.

those 2 will not make up for welker

 

[Bhelmet]

those 2 will not make up for welker

Perhaps, but throw in Woodhead and you get there.

 

[signbabybrady]

those 2 will not make up for welker

You dont have to entirely replace Welker. You dont have to have the number one passing attack in the league to be a good team capable of winning. Lets assume they replace Welker with Edelman and a Deep threat. You likely will not get 100-120 catches from the 2 players even but you might wind up with more 20+ yard passing plays or something like that. But the real key here would be the money you save.

I am in a funny spot with this discussion because I think the team will wind up keeping Wes as I dont see them stripping Brady of his favorite target at this point in Toms career. But I do see the logic in saving the money and using it on D instead.

Letting Wes walk and trying to use his money elsewhere is a tight line to walk as you have to decide on Wes before you can bring in something else. It would really suck to save the Wes money but then not use it on an impact defender. I think this comes down to the devil you know vs the one you dont. I think the safer bet is to stick with Wes as he is an impact player.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Mark this - if the Pats retain Welker the Jets will sign Edelman so Sanchez has binky smurf similar to Welker. Maybe mistakenly they will say, hey, look what a smurf does for Brady so we'll get this other smurf trained by BB, Brady and schooled by Welker - it's the next best thing.

Plus, the old weaken your division rival thing. IOW, business as usual for Jets despite the 'new' front office.

Me? I'd sign up Edelman even for a bit of a rich contract. He's proven to be a valuable player when healthy.

Then franchise Welker and trade him for whatever they can get in the NFC. Would be a bit cruel but you know what BB says - I'll do whatever is best for the team. Thanks, Wes, enjoy AZ.

 

[PittPatriot]

I love Julian Edelman - he is my favorite Patriot so I am biased. But even must admit that if Edelman received 20% of the hits that Welker takes 75% of the time, he'd be injured 95% of the season.
To me, Julian's value is in terms of his versatility and on KR and PR. If he can throw the football, I'd love to see them be creative with him on occasional gadget plays the way the Steelers made HUGE gains in their Super Bowl year with Antwan Randal-El

 

[Bhelmet]

gadget plays the way the Steelers made HUGE gains in their Super Bowl year with Antwan Randal-El

Oh please, no. I think he could be a good slot receiver. He just has to learn to cover up and avoid "unnecessary" contact. Edelman would probably good from the backfield (as a receiver) as well. If he is going to do a gadget play, I hope it is one or two times a year.