If the Patriots let Brady’s top target walk two seasons in a row…

[Brady6]

Julian Edelman most likely will be looking to be paid, he has only made $3M in his career and this offseason is his chance to break the bank, it will probably be his only chance as well. Considering that, along with the Patriots having Amendola another notable slot receiver on the roster who is highly compensated, there is a real possibility that Edelman is not retained.

If that happens what type of impact, does it have on the Patriots and Tom Brady relationship? I know Brady is a smart guy and understands the NFL is a business but allowing Brady’s top target to walk two seasons in a row could indicate that the team does not value the same players as Brady values. As we approach a decade without a SB and Brady is knocking on the door of 37 years old, will that spell trouble in the future?

They discussed this on New England Sports Tonight this morning and they had some interesting thoughts on the situation, I was curious what you all thought. My personal opinion is that Brady will be disappointed but it will not create anything substantial and Brady will never mention it to the public.

 

[mgteich]

Thank you for this post. You clarify the situation.

So, Edelman is going to be able to break the bank based on one year of production, and will never be able to repeat?

If Edelman is as good as you think, he will have another chance to break the bank.

Julian Edelman most likely will be looking to be paid, he has only made $3M in his career and this offseason is his chance to break the bank, it will probably be his only chance as well.

 

[fxkane]

Well, Amendola was injured most of the season... so it's hard to tell whom is superior. Also, Edelman is a ex-quarterback with a history of injuries--does anyone have full confidence that he will hold up for two straight seasons??

 

[Mike the Brit]

First, Brady's seen this movie before -- not just with Welker but, before that, with Deion (was it an accident that the first thing that they did when they shipped Randy Moss out was to re-sign Deion?).

Second, think of the optimistic scenario. If the Patriots have a healthy Gronk, a healthy Amendola (and he fulfils hopes and expectations), if KT, AD and JB make a second-year advance, then the receiving corps is pretty darned good. Of course, that IS the optimistic scenario. But it's not at all impossible.

 

[mgteich]

Brady has been disappointed by roster moves many times in the past, starting with the cutting of his best friend Milloy.

The team was in rebellion then. After a game, they settled down. They understood then and understand now that the NFL is a business and that the patriots are a business.

Brady also understands that the is an employee and not part of management.

You should re-read some of the stuff from last year. Bob Kraft was asked many times about Brady's reaction and thoughts with regard to the Welker situation. He didn't refer the question to Belichick or Jonathan. Bob Kraft simply said that he doesn't answer to Tom Brady.

Make no mistake, the relationship between the Kraft's and Brady is a solid relationship. But there is no question with regard to who is boss. Brady's feelings and player evaluations are not the driving force in the team's decision-making.

And yes, you can and will continue to find media saying almost anything that will draw some interest.

If that happens what type of impact, does it have on the Patriots and Tom Brady relationship? I know Brady is a smart guy and understands the NFL is a business but allowing Brady’s top target to walk two seasons in a row could indicate that the team does not value the same players as Brady values. As we approach a decade without a SB and Brady is knocking on the door of 37 years old, will that spell trouble in the future?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Well, Amendola was injured most of the season... so it's hard to tell whom is superior. Also, Edelman is a ex-quarterback with a history of injuries--does anyone have full confidence that he will hold up for two straight seasons??

Plus, Edelperson is our PR, an additional opportunity for injury.

Not everyone is an Ironman like Denver's Wes Welker.

 

[Brady6]

Thank you for this post. You clarify the situation.

So, Edelman is going to be able to break the bank based on one year of production, and will never be able to repeat?

If Edelman is as good as you think, he will have another chance to break the bank.

The biggest problem is the exactly what many have reported in the media, the Patriots essentially set the market 12 months ago for a 28 year old slot receiver when they signed Amendola for 5 years $28.5 million dollars. If Amendola can receive that type of contract, coming off a season in which he played in just 11 games with 63 receptions, 633 yard and 3 touchdowns. What does 105 receptions, 1059 yard, and 6 touchdown season merit on the UFA market with a high salary cap?

If Amendola received that contract, Edelman is going to want at least that and with good reason, and to be frank he deserves at least what Amendola got, if not more. You keep pointing out this one season bit, but what does that mean, realistically it was one opportunity that resulted in one success. It is not as if Edelman had the opportunity to play and prior years and simply failed, he was a behind Welker, with Welker out of the way he stepped in and played terrific. What did you want him to do? Do you think if he were drafted by St Louis, he would not have played more and been successful throughout his 5 seasons? If so I will remind you, he had a very productive rookie season filling in for an injured Wes Welker.

 

[Brady6]

Well, Amendola was injured most of the season... so it's hard to tell whom is superior. Also, Edelman is a ex-quarterback with a history of injuries--does anyone have full confidence that he will hold up for two straight seasons??

I look at Edelman’s career and I think the injury reports are greatly exaggerated. Edelman missed time as a rookie (5 games), but he was a seventh round draft pick, how serious was the injury or was he just kept off the 46 man roster because he was a bottom of the roster player? In 2010 and 2011 he missed 4 games, but he was the sixth wide receiver, played special teams and helped out on defense, once again a bottom of the roster player. So were the injuries the reason he was kept off the field or was it that he was a non-essential player and therefore the variance between playing on game day and not was lower.

2012 was the only season that I can point to and say he missed 7 games all due to an injury.

 

[Ivan]

Finally, a thread about Edelman and Amendola and their contract status. About time.

 

[Brady6]

Plus, Edelperson is our PR, an additional opportunity for injury.

Not everyone is an Ironman like Denver's Wes Welker.

You get over injuries a lot faster when the head trauma causes you to have the memory of a guppy.

 

[Brady6]

Finally, a thread about Edelman and Amendola and their contract status. About time.

What does Edelman walking have to do with Amendola’s contract?

This thread is about what happens if Edelman walks and the impact that two straight off seasons of Brady losing his top target may have. Do not infect it with your fantasy football destroyed the world mumbo jumbo.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with you.

Edelman should try to get everything he can. He had a great season and he should cash in.

As you point out so eloquently, he probably won't get another chance for this kind of money.

And just, BTW, why would he never get another chance?

The biggest problem is the exactly what many have reported in the media, the Patriots essentially set the market 12 months ago for a 28 year old slot receiver when they signed Amendola for 5 years $28.5 million dollars. If Amendola can receive that type of contract, coming off a season in which he played in just 11 games with 63 receptions, 633 yard and 3 touchdowns. What does 105 receptions, 1059 yard, and 6 touchdown season merit on the UFA market with a high salary cap?

If Amendola received that contract, Edelman is going to want at least that and with good reason, and to be frank he deserves at least what Amendola got, if not more. You keep pointing out this one season bit, but what does that mean, realistically it was one opportunity that resulted in one success. It is not as if Edelman had the opportunity to play and prior years and simply failed, he was a behind Welker, with Welker out of the way he stepped in and played terrific. What did you want him to do? Do you think if he were drafted by St Louis, he would not have played more and been successful throughout his 5 seasons? If so I will remind you, he had a very productive rookie season filling in for an injured Wes Welker.

 

[Brady6]

And just, BTW, why would he never get another chance?

He probably will not get another chance at this type of money because he is 28 years old and if he signed a deal similar to Amendola, it would be 5 years, and make him 33 years old at the conclusion. I do not think he will receive a big payday at 33 years old.

 

[EddieBlake]

When I was a kid my dad gave away my pet turtle. I was upset. The next day he came home with a komodo dragon with shoulder fired rocket launchers. I got over the turtle. Do you unnerstand me? BB needs to get my boy a komodo dragon at least 6'3" tall.

 

[jmt57]

Didn't we go through this not all that long ago when some sportswriter tried to say there was a "disconnect" between Brady and Kraft/the Patriots in regards to his contract? Then again just last year something very similar about how Brady would be upset if the Patriots did not re-sign Welker?

In my opinion it's a situation where there's only so much that one can talk about during the off-season, but a new show or new column that has to be broadcast/written every day. At some point there isn't much of anything new to discuss, so trot out an old topic, update with today's specifics - and voilà, something new to get the audience interested and talking.

 

[Brady6]

Didn't we go through this not all that long ago when some sportswriter tried to say there was a "disconnect" between Brady and Kraft/the Patriots in regards to his contract? Then again just last year something very similar about how Brady would be upset if the Patriots did not re-sign Welker?

In my opinion it's a situation where there's only so much that one can talk about during the off-season, but a new show or new column that has to be broadcast/written every day. At some point there isn't much of anything new to discuss, so trot out an old topic, update with today's specifics - and voilà, something new to get the audience interested and talking.

Many felt that Brady restructured and accepted a team friendly deal in 2013 to clear space to retain Welker. Despite that Welker walked and signed with the team that eventually went on to beat us in the AFCCG.

Despite it all Brady overcame the loss of Welker and built a relationship with Edelman. How many seasons in a row do they expect to have a 35+ year old QB start over? At the end of the day I have no doubt that Brady will do it, but with him knocking on the door of 37 years old and the window shutting on his career is this really the time that he should be experiencing yearly transition, does that really put this team in the optimal position to win a Super Bowl.

If Brady was taking the Patriots for every last penny I would not have any concern about the impact of these decisions. That is not the case however, Brady is freeing up money to allow them to field the most competitive team, I have to believe that his top target would be considered a player who would aid in that cause.

 

[edboc]

In my opinion BB is looking at long term sustainability rather than having to win a Super Bowl and be "all in" during Brady's "window." He probably wants to stick around after Brady retires so he can prove he can win a Super Bowl without Brady.

 

[jmt57]

Many felt that Brady restructured and accepted a team friendly deal in 2013 to clear space to retain Welker. Despite that Welker walked and signed with the team that eventually went on to beat us in the AFCCG.

Despite it all Brady overcame the loss of Welker and built a relationship with Edelman. How many seasons in a row do they expect to have a 35+ year old QB start over? At the end of the day I have no doubt that Brady will do it, but with him knocking on the door of 37 years old and the window shutting on his career is this really the time that he should be experiencing yearly transition, does that really put this team in the optimal position to win a Super Bowl.

If Brady was taking the Patriots for every last penny I would not have any concern about the impact of these decisions. That is not the case however, Brady is freeing up money to allow them to field the most competitive team, I have to believe that his top target would be considered a player who would aid in that cause.

I wouldn't characterize the Patriots as "starting over" from 2012 to 2013, or from 2013 to 2014. To me that would be something along the lines of the Rams around 2005 post-Warner/Faulk/Martz - i.e., a rebuilding year.

Players come and go, it's a harsh reality of the NFL game. An example would be all the running backs and receivers that Drew Brees has had in New Orleans, with Darren Sproles the latest that is about to hit the road.

At some point the decision is made that the amount of money needed to retain Julian Edelman is not worth it; that finite amount of cap space would be better used elsewhere. Unlike other sports such as baseball, it's not as simple as paying whatever is needed to retain a player - and I am very confident that Brady completely understands that.

If Brady restructured his contract in order to help re-sign Welker, then I am sure that he would have clearly made that known to Kraft and Belichick at the time. In my opinion the talk that he renogotiated in order for the team to re-sign Welker was just that - speculation and sports talk radio fodder. It makes for a discussion and good ratings, but there is no evidence to back that theory up.

There is a tipping point somewhere; it's not as simple as saying the best thing to do is re-sign Edelman no matter what the price - and I believe that Tom Brady knows that and agrees with that.

 

[patman12]

Hopefully they don't have another TE arrested for homicide.

 

[Ring 6]

I look at Edelman’s career and I think the injury reports are greatly exaggerated. Edelman missed time as a rookie (5 games), but he was a seventh round draft pick, how serious was the injury or was he just kept off the 46 man roster because he was a bottom of the roster player? In 2010 and 2011 he missed 4 games, but he was the sixth wide receiver, played special teams and helped out on defense, once again a bottom of the roster player. So were the injuries the reason he was kept off the field or was it that he was a non-essential player and therefore the variance between playing on game day and not was lower.

2012 was the only season that I can point to and say he missed 7 games all due to an injury.

What a bizarre post. Instead of finding out whether he was injured or not you dismiss them by saying you don't know?
He was the punt returner since day 1. He was active when he was healthy.