Peter King's August 2014 take, and now

Fencer · Feb 6, 2015

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/08/14/nfl-training-camp-new-england-patriots/

Peter King's training camp read on the Pats wasn't too bad. Overall, he expected a record in the 14-2 range, and a return to the Super Bowl. He's a big fan of Edelman. His concerns were Solder and Chung.

And post-Super Bowl he's still a huge Edelman fan http://mmqb.si.com/2015/02/06/seattle-seahawks-three-straight-super-bowls-nfl/:

But for my money, Patriots receiver Julian Edelman was the best player on the field. He was flawless, and New England wouldn’t have won it without him. And, by the way, Edelman’s best is better than the best of the man he replaced, Wes Welker. Edelman is just a better athlete and a little more versatile.

Bella*chick · Feb 6, 2015

He's right about Edelman. He IS better than Welker at his best. And at one point anyone who even posted that one day that might be so was nearly laughed off the board. But it's true.

The_Riddler · Feb 6, 2015

I love Jules......

Oswlek · Feb 6, 2015

Bella*chick said:
He's right about Edelman. He IS better than Welker at his best. And at one point anyone who even posted that one day that might be so was nearly laughed off the board. But it's true.

I'm still not sure. Wes of 2007/2008/2009 was extraordinary. Edelman is better than post-injury Welker, though, with the possible exception of the first 8 games in 2011. Even that year, though, he wore down as the season went along and wasn't the playoff force that Julian is. Perhaps he would have been better if he was able to take December off?

Betterthanmost · Feb 6, 2015

Those were not written by Peter King. There was not enough time for him to remove himself from manning's a** to write that piece.

Fencer · Feb 6, 2015

It's close. Prime Welker was amazing at what he was best at. But he probably had the smallest catch radius of any Pro Bowl receiver since WRs were first trained not to body catch.

sambam94 · Feb 6, 2015

Bella*chick said:
He's right about Edelman. He IS better than Welker at his best. And at one point anyone who even posted that one day that might be so was nearly laughed off the board. But it's true.

people have short memories..Welker in his prime was better, imo...but its getting close. Jules went through a stretch where he was dropping many passes .

Uncle Rico · Feb 6, 2015

Here's a question I've been thinking of:

Better football player — and that choice of words is intentional, football player, because these two uniquely fit that description:

Julian Edelman or Troy Brown?

Tough one.

Bella*chick · Feb 6, 2015

Don't agree. Welker at his best had Moss. And they couldn't get it done. Not only could Edelman get it done but he was a major reason why it got done.

The_Riddler · Feb 6, 2015

Peter, shove all this **** up your arse, you're a hater like the others. You Chris Carter et all, you are not worthy to talk about us either verbally or in print. Not a Worthy you Understand !!!

To quote our great Adam V...."Don't talk to me...."

ctpatsfan77 · Feb 6, 2015

Bella*chick said:
Don't agree. Welker at his best had Moss. And they couldn't get it done. Not only could Edelman get it done but he was a major reason why it got done.

Not to be facetious, but Welker wasn't any part of the reason the 2007 team didn't get it done.

Bruins29 · Feb 6, 2015

Guys, again we are getting a tad bit silly here. I love Jules and he was one of my favs the second he stepped on the field. The Ravens game in 2010 sealed it for me. I knew we had something special and it now we see the results of all his hard work.

However, today, when the topic of best receiver ever comes up (and people start discussing slot/possession/deep threat etc) I guarantee you JE is not in that discussion. I appreciate all JE is doing and he is on his way to becoming a very legendary Pat. You can also say he is more versatile than WW and right now playing better than WW did post injury. But I am not going to go there yet.

WW is borderline HOF and could be argued the best slot guy who ever played. If JE can keep this up and they keep winning rings it would certainly distance him a bit.

BradyFTW! · Feb 6, 2015

As sacrilegious as this would've sounded even 2 years ago, I do think that Edelman this year was better than Welker has ever been. Not by much, it's very close, but his versatility just tips the scales for me.

RobertWeathers · Feb 6, 2015

Bruins29 said:
Guys, again we are getting a tad bit silly here. I love Jules and he was one of my favs the second he stepped on the field. The Ravens game in 2010 sealed it for me. I knew we had something special and it now we see the results of all his hard work.

However, today, when the topic of best receiver ever comes up (and people start discussing slot/possession/deep threat etc) I guarantee you JE is not in that discussion. I appreciate all JE is doing and he is on his way to becoming a very legendary Pat. You can also say he is more versatile than WW and right now playing better than WW did post injury. But I am not going to go there yet.

WW is borderline HOF and could be argued the best slot guy who ever played. If JE can keep this up and they keep winning rings it would certainly distance him a bit.

WW is a superior receiver than JE. I don't understand the debate here.

Bruins29 · Feb 6, 2015

robertweathers said:
WW is a superior receiver than JE. I don't understand the debate here.

People like the new guy and forget the old guy. I dont get it either.

You dont get to be in the discussion of best slot WR ever by not being as good as JE. Its comical.

But JE does have great qualities and looks like he could have a very bright career ahead of him.

RobertWeathers · Feb 6, 2015

Bruins29 said:
People like the new guy and forget the old guy. I dont get it either.

You dont get to be in the discussion of best slot WR ever by not being as good as JE. Its comical.

But JE does have great qualities and looks like he could have a very bright career ahead of him.

It's insane. My sense is that by thinking WW is > JE means that JE sux.

In WW we are talking about the best slot WR who ever played. Thats the bar which has been set.

JE is and outstanding receiver. This team does not win the SB w/o him. Great return guy as well. Gutsy. Gritty. Fringe Pro-Bowl player. I love him...

But hes not WW.

Bruins29 · Feb 6, 2015

I actually started posting right when WW left. The board had gone insane. I told everyone to relax because JE would be fine in the role and make everyone forget WW. I was laughed at and called insane. Nobody would ever be WW and how could he desert us blah blah blah

Oswlek · Feb 6, 2015

robertweathers said:
It's insane. My sense is that by thinking WW is > JE means that JE sux.

In WW we are talking about the best slot WR who ever played. Thats the bar which has been set.

JE is and outstanding receiver. This team does not win the SB w/o him. Great return guy as well. Gutsy. Gritty. Fringe Pro-Bowl player. I love him...

But hes not WW.

Yeah, it appears that time and animosity - plus getting his brains scrambled in Denver for the past two years - has made people forget just how good Welker was. I was thinking it was time for a new avatar, but this thread has convinced me to stay the course.

RobertWeathers · Feb 6, 2015

Oswlek said:
Yeah, it appears that time and animosity - plus getting his brains scrambled in Denver for the past two years - has made people forget just how good Welker was. I was thinking it was time for a new avatar, but this thread has convinced me to stay the course.

Leave the avatar.

I'm down on WW after the two drops vs NYG and BAL but that does not reduce his legacy as a catch and YAC machine who was unstoppable.

Oswlek · Feb 6, 2015

Bruins29 said:
I actually started posting right when WW left. The board had gone insane. I told everyone to relax because JE would be fine in the role and make everyone forget WW. I was laughed at and called insane. Nobody would ever be WW and how could he desert us blah blah blah

I used to battle with a guy by the name of Scratch on ESPN about Edelman. The long and short of it was that I thought Edelman had the skills to be productive and was just buried behind Wes and Aaron, whereas Scratch would say that NE was systematically lessening his role and had no interest in keeping him around.

I've wonder what he'd say now.

Peter King's August 2014 take, and now

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