How important was Edelman's blocking in SBLI? More precisely, if Edelman's blocks were average quality for a receiver, would we have still won?
@bormio listed four key blocks in another post:
I think most people, even on this Edelman-disrespecting-forum, would agree that Edelman's blocking technique is better than a typical wide receiver's. But did this make a difference?
It's a difficult to question to know. If Edelman had average blocking ability for a receiver, which of these 4 plays would have succeeded? A case could be made I think that none of the four plays would have succeeded. In any case, it would have been much riskier.
If you agree that Edelman's blocking was (a) superb and (b) critical, then this raises the next question: why doesn't anyone talk about it! I've read a lot of articles/videos on Edelman's value to the team in the wake of his injury: his quickness, his sync with Brady, his clutch play, his intelligence, his versatility, his "heart", even his passing. But I've never seen his blocking mentioned. And I never see blocking mentioned when assessing receivers either. Why?
Also if people have other key blocks in SBLI feel free to add them.
One extra comment on (1): this may not have been a designated block in that Edelman might have had to select the right guy to block based on the defense post-snap. I mean, it's a nontrivial read to select Poole at all. The others the blockee was designated pre-snap.
(Edit: Reminder that the main question I am asking is this: If Edelman had average blocking ability for a receiver, which of these 4 plays would have succeeded?)
@bormio listed four key blocks in another post:
- Overtime touchdown by White. Edelman crackback block on Brian Poole #34, knocking him over. Without that block Poole would have had a good shot at White.
- Initially blocks Robert Alford #23, and also blocks safety Ricardo Allen #23 at the same time. Of course, Hogan here was blocking Jalen Collins 32. Since Amendola barely made it over, there is a good chance the Edelman blocks were both critical, although Allen may have been too late.
- Block of Alford 23 during White swing pass OT 11:55 (2:13 in the clip) . A pretty good block, doubtful White gets the first down without this.
- Cut block on linebacker De’Vondre Campbell 59 allowing White to get TD. (1m:30s)
I think most people, even on this Edelman-disrespecting-forum, would agree that Edelman's blocking technique is better than a typical wide receiver's. But did this make a difference?
It's a difficult to question to know. If Edelman had average blocking ability for a receiver, which of these 4 plays would have succeeded? A case could be made I think that none of the four plays would have succeeded. In any case, it would have been much riskier.
If you agree that Edelman's blocking was (a) superb and (b) critical, then this raises the next question: why doesn't anyone talk about it! I've read a lot of articles/videos on Edelman's value to the team in the wake of his injury: his quickness, his sync with Brady, his clutch play, his intelligence, his versatility, his "heart", even his passing. But I've never seen his blocking mentioned. And I never see blocking mentioned when assessing receivers either. Why?
Also if people have other key blocks in SBLI feel free to add them.
One extra comment on (1): this may not have been a designated block in that Edelman might have had to select the right guy to block based on the defense post-snap. I mean, it's a nontrivial read to select Poole at all. The others the blockee was designated pre-snap.
(Edit: Reminder that the main question I am asking is this: If Edelman had average blocking ability for a receiver, which of these 4 plays would have succeeded?)
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