Brady - Edelman Combo and WRs

TB was great, i loved how he made an effort to see what he had in KT and Lafell. The TB/Edelman combo is ridiculous. Edelman in space is flat out amazing. I thought KT had a couple of great catches but the drop was bad. Lafell also had a couple he could have caught (although we got a flag). Vereen was great.

Positive - Brady will have an amaing season, with Gronk there our red zone offense will be great, without him, i'm a bit concerned just because KT/AD/Lafell/DA are not physical enough. Great route-running by KT. Edelman is a freak.

Negatives - lack of physical play on the outside. What is DA's role?

SalemPats said:

What is DA's role?

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He's primarily the slot receiver.

Edelman will eclipse Welker's best NE stats this year. Becase of his athleticism, I expect a very high YAC for JE. He looks very comfortable in year 2 of being Binky #1.

My favorite part about how good those guys look right now?

They have even more reinforcements on the way. Gronk and Dobson have yet to play, both will drastically change the coverage across the entire offense, you're stupid to not double Gronk and Dobson's physical traits command a better corner.

I'm expecting an offense that schematically looks like 2007's spread, just with a tight end who deserves the name and a much better running game. There won't be a Randy Moss out there, but every position after that will either be at least equal to or more likely improved compared to the 07 team.

KT + DA + AD > Gaffney/Stallworth

SalemPats said:

TB was great, i loved how he made an effort to see what he had in KT and Lafell. The TB/Edelman combo is ridiculous. Edelman in space is flat out amazing. I thought KT had a couple of great catches but the drop was bad. Lafell also had a couple he could have caught (although we got a flag). Vereen was great.

Positive - Brady will have an amaing season, with Gronk there our red zone offense will be great, without him, i'm a bit concerned just because KT/AD/Lafell/DA are not physical enough. Great route-running by KT. Edelman is a freak.

Negatives - lack of physical play on the outside. What is DA's role?

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Gronkowski will fill the need for physicality on the offensive side of the ball, and Dobson will also help with that. I thought that LaFell was physical last night, and Amendola was very physical run blocking.

Amendola is a complementary piece now; he will have a hard time being a major part of the offense with Edelman around. Right now without a healthy Dobson, he is sharing time with LaFell as the #3 WR, seeing about 50% of the first team snaps. I think they intend to use Edelman in the Welker role, LaFell in the Hernandez role as a joker that they move around, Gronkowski in his usual role and then mix Dobson and Thompkins in as the X-WR. Amendola will need to make his mark in situations as he did last night, on a third down as the check down receiver, if he can convert those types of plays like he did last night when the Panthers came in an all-out blitz he will be very valuable. If you were looking for a specific role, I would call him a third down slot receiver; he will come in when we spread out and run a short route as Brady’s check down or hot route. Overall, I like how the offense is coming together. I think that we have players that can do many different things in different parts of the field.

Brady6 said:

Gronkowski will fill the need for physicality on the offensive side of the ball, and Dobson will also help with that. I thought that LaFell was physical last night, and Amendola was very physical run blocking.

Amendola is a complementary piece now; he will have a hard time being a major part of the offense with Edelman around. Right now without a healthy Dobson, he is sharing time with LaFell as the #3 WR, seeing about 50% of the first team snaps. I think they intend to use Edelman in the Welker role, LaFell in the Hernandez role as a joker that they move around, Gronkowski in his usual role and then mix Dobson and Thompkins in as the X-WR. Amendola will need to make his mark in situations as he did last night, on a third down as the check down receiver, if he can convert those types of plays like he did last night when the Panthers came in an all-out blitz he will be very valuable. If you were looking for a specific role, I would call him a third down slot receiver; he will come in when we spread out and run a short route as Brady’s check down or hot route. Overall, I like how the offense is coming together. I think that we have players that can do many different things in different parts of the field.

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Lol just can't resist can you?

AndyJohnson said:

Lol just can't resist can you?

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I do not see anything wrong with what I said I'm not criticizing anyone.

strngplyr said:

My favorite part about how good those guys look right now?

They have even more reinforcements on the way. Gronk and Dobson have yet to play, both will drastically change the coverage across the entire offense, you're stupid to not double Gronk and Dobson's physical traits command a better corner.

I'm expecting an offense that schematically looks like 2007's spread, just with a tight end who deserves the name and a much better running game. There won't be a Randy Moss out there, but every position after that will either be at least equal to or more likely improved compared to the 07 team.

KT + DA + AD > Gaffney/Stallworth

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I don't know, Gaffney was excellent in this offense, and Stallworth was a very good deep threat. That offense with Moss/Welker/Gaffney/Stallworth/Watson was amazing.

Always marveled at how "quick" Edelman is... he creates "space" where he needs to be, and seldom has any miscues...

As much as I like his punt return ability, wish there was another option..

DarrylS said:

Always marveled at how "quick" Edelman is... he creates "space" where he needs to be, and seldom has any miscues...

As much as I like his punt return ability, wish there was another option..

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They may mix Amendola in as the punt returner this season.

Slow down there mate. Edelman I always felt could eventually replace Welker as our slot with similar short area quickness and size. But Welker put up a 1500 yard season while missing nearly 2 games. I doubt Edelman ever hits that mark.

Now there were many of games Welker had 15 catches and everybody called him amazing. But I never felt he was a complete true #1 WR. Even my friends who dislike the patriots firmly disagreed. Imho I thought we needed that true #1 to win a championship. As when Welker was #1 the offense stalled in the playoffs at some point just as it did last season. I'm not saying we need Calvin or AJ but we need Dobson and or Kenbrell to step up and at least be a consistent intermediate/deep threat/red zone passcatcher with 65-70 catches and 1000 yards with a skill set reminiscent of a complete #1. Without them the offense will stall again in the playoffs after the creampuff defenses disappear,especially if Gronk is injured.

Much is made about KT and Dobsons hands. Let's not forget they had rookie jitters and were nervous learning a complex offense. Let's not forget they run longer/tougher routes than Edelman/Amendola which means tougher passes to grab. We really need Kenbrell or Dobson to step up to get that championship. Would be nice for both to do so. For a 6'3 WR Dobson has good route quickness of a smaller WR along with deep speed. That 81 yard TD, he outran a corner for the score who was drafted due to his 4.33 speed. Somebody said the offense needed speed. It doesn't get much faster than that. Especially when that speed is 6'3,makes acrobatic catches and runs routes over the middle.We should be looking for Dobson to step up to be our #1 and not just a #3 compliment WR.

borg said:

Edelman will eclipse Welker's best NE stats this year. Becase of his athleticism, I expect a very high YAC for JE. He looks very comfortable in year 2 of being Binky #1.

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122 receptions, 1,569 yards, 12.9ypc and 9 touchdowns. Apologies @borg, but it's highly unlikely that Edelman meets, let alone eclipses that.

PatFanCraig said:

Slow down there mate. Edelman I always felt could eventually replace Welker as our slot with similar short area quickness and size. But Welker put up a 1500 yard season while missing nearly 2 games. I doubt Edelman ever hits that mark..

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When did Welker miss nearly 2 games in 2011? I thought he played the entire season.

ausbacker said:

122 receptions, 1,569 yards, 12.9ypc and 9 touchdowns. Apologies @borg, but it's highly unlikely that Edelman meets, let alone eclipses that.

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I agree that season was remarkable by Welker and he had 2-3 huge games to help get him there. Heck 99 yards came on one catch on opening day against Miami.

Edelman should be able to hit the 110 catch, 1200 yard mark if he stays healthy.

Brady6 said:

I agree that season was remarkable by Welker and he had 2-3 huge games to help get him there. Heck 99 yards came on one catch on opening day against Miami.

Edelman should be able to hit the 110 catch, 1200 yard mark if he stays healthy.

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and ALL others dont - If Edelman gets that amount Pats offense failed.

Brady6 said:

When did Welker miss nearly 2 games in 2011? I thought he played the entire season.

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Nope, I though he would make a run at the single season reception record but he was injured early in a game I believe then missed the following game

Also if Gronk/K. Thompkins/Dobson/Vereen/Amendola play 16 games with no injuries I don't think Edelman has over 100 catches or 1200 yards. To many other options for Brady. Also its still little unclear how to use Edelman and Amendola. They both play the slot and are short yardage WRs who don't catch many passes beyond 5-10 yards. Both are good at what they do but are limited in YPC, and do you want 2 WRs who only excel primarily in that role on the field simutaneously. Imho that's why they were kind of undecided resigning Edelman after 100 catches and let him go try the open market. They were already paying a WR for that role in Amendola. B6 I think you once mentioned that yourself

strngplyr said:

They have even more reinforcements on the way. Gronk and Dobson have yet to play, both will drastically change the coverage across the entire offense, you're stupid to not double Gronk and Dobson's physical traits command a better corner.

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Gronk has always dictated coverage and forced the other team into a "pick your poison" scheme.

The difference with him in there is day and night.

Of the rehabilitations of players we are expecting back, his is the one I am most anxious about.

Luxusdk said:

and ALL others dont - If Edelman gets that amount Pats offense failed.

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I am sure the 1000s of user of this forum appreciate you speaking for them.

Welker had 110+ catches and 1200+ yards in 2007, 2011 and 2012. The Patriots offenses were dominate in all of those seasons. Now because the name of the back of the jersey changed it would become a failure?

Edelman had 8 catches for 99 yards on Friday, which equates to 128 catches and 1584 yards over a full season, did you feel the offense failed on Friday?

PatFanCraig said:

Nope, I though he would make a run at the single season reception record but he was injured early in a game I believe then missed the following game

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According to his game log he played every game in 2011.

Wes Welker Game By Game Stats - 2011 - ESPN

Also if Gronk/K. Thompkins/Dobson/Vereen/Amendola play 16 games with no injuries I don't think Edelman has over 100 catches or 1200 yards. To many other options for Brady. Also its still little unclear how to use Edelman and Amendola. They both play the slot and are short yardage WRs who don't catch many passes beyond 5-10 yards. Both are good at what they do but are limited in YPC, and do you want 2 WRs who only excel primarily in that role on the field simutaneously. Imho that's why they were kind of undecided resigning Edelman after 100 catches and let him go try the open market. They were already paying a WR for that role in Amendola. B6 I think you once mentioned that yourself

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I do not think it matters who is on the offense if Edelman is effective with his opportunity I see no reason why he cannot catch 110 footballs for 1200 yards. This preseason he has 10 catches on 10 targets, obviously that will not sustain through the season but if he can increase his catch ratio and yards per catch he could be more effective with less opportunity. It is also worth noting in 2013 Edelman was targeted on a lower percent of Brady’s throws than Welker was in any of his seasons with the team.

Just throwing this out there......But anyone think Amendola might be on the trading block the next two weeks? $5 million+ for their #4 WR. JE is locked into a starting slot, and I love me some KT and the physicality he brings.....and Lafell/Dobson have their unique skill set. I love the depth....and this feels like a season that NE is all in....but could BB pull on his accounting cap and start rationalizing $$$ to value?
Maybe BB can flip a surplus OL before the season and gain chips....or a TE??? A surprise move is coming...it usually does.