Interesting Edelman Split

[brdmaverick]

So obviously Edelman's half year stats aren't close to where they were last year.

The natural thought is 'of course, he had four games without Brady throwing him the ball'.

In four games without Brady he caught 19 passes for 196 yards.

In four games with Brady he caught 22 passes for 162 yards.

I was surprised to see that he actual had less yards since Brady's return. He at least is out there and taking attention away from other players because the offense is still flowing . We all saw what the offense looked like without him last year (or maybe it's a testament to the additions of Bennett and Hogan).

 

[Sicilian]

Two major contributing factors I think: 1) He's been a little dinged up since Brady's been back. 2) Brady is better at spreading the ball around, and with Brissett they probably wanted him getting the ball out quickly to his first read (and no one gets open faster on this team than Edelman).

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

So obviously Edelman's half year stats aren't close to where they were last year.

The natural thought is 'of course, he had four games without Brady throwing him the ball'.

In four games without Brady he caught 19 passes for 196 yards.

In four games with Brady he caught 22 passes for 162 yards.

I was surprised to see that he actual had less yards since Brady's return. He at least is out there and taking attention away from other players because the offense is still flowing . We all saw what the offense looked like without him last year (or maybe it's a testament to the additions of Bennett and Hogan).

This, oh and James White. They have 6 guys that can be trusted to get open and catch the ball with another coming back. Kinda good scary!

 

[jah]

We just don't need him as much. Hogan, Bennett, White are all taking targets from him. I'm fine with that.

 

[jri37]

The lower numbers are a result of the addition of Bennett and Hogan added to the arsenal.

 

[Brick27]

Also throw in the fact that Gronk has really only played significantly in games that Brady played. Missed games 1 and 2, had only one target in game 3, and two targets in game 4.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I agree with the post above. Combination of factors.

I think the foot is slowly getting better.

On the TD last week he looked like the old Jules.

He'll get there.

 

[Galeb]

So obviously Edelman's half year stats aren't close to where they were last year.

The natural thought is 'of course, he had four games without Brady throwing him the ball'.

In four games without Brady he caught 19 passes for 196 yards.

In four games with Brady he caught 22 passes for 162 yards.

I was surprised to see that he actual had less yards since Brady's return. He at least is out there and taking attention away from other players because the offense is still flowing . We all saw what the offense looked like without him last year (or maybe it's a testament to the additions of Bennett and Hogan).

I don't have the time to look it up now, but I would be curious about the # of 1st downs and TDs.

 

[Wiluven]

I'm actually happy with the lack of production from Jules. A less battered Julian is good for this team come January and February. It also means that Brady is improving his chemistry with the other guys.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

The lower numbers are a result of the addition of Bennett and Hogan added to the arsenal.

I think Chris Hogan is still very underrated and many don't realize how high his ceiling is. This guy is athletic as heck, incredibly fast, has size and strength, has great hands, and has chemistry with Brady. Don't shoot the messenger, but I think Edelman will trend in the wrong direction for the rest of his career - he is 30 years old with multiple injuries - while Hogan is just starting to reach his potential.

 

[jri37]

I think Chris Hogan is still very underrated and many don't realize how high his ceiling is. This guy is athletic as heck, incredibly fast, has size and strength, has great hands, and has chemistry with Brady. Don't shoot the messenger, but I think Edelman will trend in the wrong direction for the rest of his career - he is 30 years old with multiple injuries - while Hogan is just starting to reach his potential.

I don't disagree with your assertion that he will trend down. Like we discussed between age, injury and upgrades to the overall arsenal it makes sense. That being said Edelman is a tenacious blocker down field and he is so good on 3rd downs. I'm okay with him trending down as long as he can still be effective continuing to contribute in significant ways.

 

[PatsFanNM]

One of Edelman's best skills is being on the same page with Brady. I think the Seattle game will be important in that regard as they are a tough defense that will put a lot of pressure on Brady. In those situations he tends to go first to the receivers he can most trust to read the defense the way he reads it.

 

[Fixit]

But is it more interesting than this split?

 

[fnordcircle]

It's a good thing. In the Welker years teams found that shutting him down was the key to stopping our offense because feeding Welker was what moved the chains.

I'd love Edelman's next 10+ catch game to be in the postseason.

 

[Canuck]

Patriots have 174 completions on 249 passing attempts of which Edelman is the leading receiver with 41 receptions. We are rushing more then in the past. This year it's very close to a 50/50 split at 240 rushing atttempts vs 249 passing attempts. Normally it is roughly 60% pass vs 40% run. This year we have an additional high value receiving target in Bennett.

We run more, pass less and have more quality receiving targets then in the past. Edelman's reduction is similar to Welkers in 2010. The previous year Welker had 123 receptions for 1348 yards. Patriots drafted Gronk and Hernandez and Welker's production drops to 86 receptions and 848 yards. Because of all the other offensive options, Edelman is simply targeted less.

We have Edelman, Gronk, Bennett, Hogan, White, Amendola as quality receivng targets. It's one of the reasons why Brady is having such a great year. He no longer has to force the football into Edelman and Gronks hands to make this offense work. He has more options. The funny part is that we still haven't seen this offense operate at full capacity yet. Wait until Bennett's ankle heals.

 

[Tuck]

It's a good thing. In the Welker years teams found that shutting him down was the key to stopping our offense because feeding Welker was what moved the chains.

I'd love Edelman's next 10+ catch game to be in the postseason.

Exactly this. However I will say they more options now if Edelman is shut down.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I'm pretty sure this is all about Brady spreading the ball around exceptionally well

I know I generated the ire of many a few years back when I said that the 2007 offense, as potent as it was, was flawed in that just about every pass was going to Welker and Moss. If there were a "must make" catch for first down we and everyone in the country knew it was going to Welker or Moss.

The D figured that out too - they still weren't able to consistently stop it - but they knew where that ball was going in those fateful opportunities.

Fast forward to 2016. Holy crap look at all these receivers - and with a Gronk/Bennett tight end set too? And Blount playing so well in stretches? And Dion Lewis slated to come back to provide yet ANOTHER receiving threat?

Where's it going to go on that "must make" down? Who the hell knows. But if they try to double team any of them, Brady finds the open man, with ALL of these receivers truly "getting" the timing of the Pats offense so they're wherever Brady needs them to be - and if they're all in single coverage he can still get it to them where they can catch it.

The Patriots have proven they can win with both systems - but when there's a "must get" 1st down, it helps greatly that no one truly knows where it's going - and that edge will often be the difference maker in winning a Super Bowl

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Edes will be fine. He's banged up. His foot will get better. He's got years left, if he avoids any further injury. The guy is a little monster. We've been very lucky to have him. TB's binky