Edelman to Defense?

[conway]

I can't imagine Edelman getting cut. (1) He's the best backup in the slot for Welker, who may not sign before training camp or even week 1. (2) He's our best punt returner (3) He can play both ways (4) He's cheap (5) He may be Welker's replacement if Welker never sings anything other than the tender and is too expensive to re-franchise.

I see:

Lloyd
Welker
Gaffney
Stallworth/Ocho/Branch
Edelman
Slater

Hernandez is clearly a starter, regardless of how you categorize him. We really could lose the Stallworth/Ocho slot without a problem. I don't see a spot for Gonzo without an injury or Welker holdout.

 

[WhiZa]

For the people who think Edelman is gone please let us know who you think will replace him and his multiple personalities.

 

[ewg_gestalt]

I think a full-time move to defense might help Edelman out.

He clearly has the team's respect—having to jump back and forth between all the units in any given week must take its mental toll after a while. And while he wasn't outstanding as a defensive back, why should he be, after just a few weeks on the job going against players who have been specializing at a position since probably high school? Learning a new position in "spare time" and having to do it in real time during some important games is a non-trivial accomplishment. While it would be great if he could have performed like rookie Devon McCourty, he did a serviceable job. Maybe with more training at the position, he could actually be a contributor to one of the other units as well.

The main problem with Edelman is the same one the Patriots have had since they drafted him. They're damn sure that he can play football—it's just that nobody's quite sure where he should play.

 

[TyronePoole]

I think a full-time move to defense might help Edelman out.

He clearly has the team's respect—having to jump back and forth between all the units in any given week must take its mental toll after a while. And while he wasn't outstanding as a defensive back, why should he be, after just a few weeks on the job going against players who have been specializing at a position since probably high school? Learning a new position in "spare time" and having to do it in real time during some important games is a non-trivial accomplishment. While it would be great if he could have performed like rookie Devon McCourty, he did a serviceable job. Maybe with more training at the position, he could actually be a contributor to one of the other units as well.

The main problem with Edelman is the same one the Patriots have had since they drafted him. They're damn sure that he can play football—it's just that nobody's quite sure where he should play.

nfl.com has figured it out:

National Football League: NFL Draft 2009 - Julian Edelman

Pick Analysis: Edelman will function in the Wildcat formation for the Patriots.He was unbelievably productive as a college quarterback and can make the club as a specialist in certain packages.

 

[Ron Sellers]

When you look at the potential roster - Pats Picker 2012 - it seems that it would make sense for at least one of the "wide receivers" (i.e., Edelman and/or Slater) to move primarily to defensive back. I would also not be surprised to see one of the corners moved to safety. It doesn't have to be the oft-discussed Devin McCourty; it could be Will Allen or Kyle Arrington, for example. Malcolm Williams is another possibility; he played safety before moving to corner in his senior season at TCU.

I think I would be more surprised if the Patriots don't move one of these players from WR to DB (and/or from CB to S) than if everyone remains in their designated positions this summer. I can't imagine the Pats coaching staff being content to head into training camp with Patrick Chung, Tavon Wilson, Steve Gregory, Nate Ebner, Josh Barrett, Segio Brown and Ross Ventrone as the full extent of their options at safety.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I can't imagine Edelman getting cut. (1) He's the best backup in the slot for Welker, who may not sign before training camp or even week 1. (2) He's our best punt returner (3) He can play both ways (4) He's cheap (5) He may be Welker's replacement if Welker never sings anything other than the tender and is too expensive to re-franchise.

God save us! I don't what's scarier; Edelman pretending to be a FT receiver or Welker singing.

 

[Ring 6]

For the people who think Edelman is gone please let us know who you think will replace him and his multiple personalities.

Multiple personell

 

[Reckedtrek]

Edddsactly! You gotta keep the duct tape!

If you were to drop the E, you'd need to pick up 2 or 3 more tools to fill in. And you can only fit so many in your tool box. So you lose, say, a dominant special teams guy here so you can add a marginally better #5 WR there. And then maybe you need to swap your backup big nickle safety here for a better KR (for what 5yds the three non-touchbacks a game) there. Lastly you decide to leave home that would be rested sub rusher so we can add that backup CB in case injuries hit during the game. Finally you'll have to let Welker or scramble to find someone else to effectively double duty and take punts instead of that top guy in the league. It's not like E plays 4 optional positions. If you replace one, you gotta replace EVERY one of them. I think people think, hey we can upgrade if we get that great rookie KR burner or whatnot, then you realize you'd then need two or three players to replace his other duties.

He's duct tape. Not really what you want to use 99.9% of the time, but sometimes what you have to use because he's all that's left. If he were actually a little better, he'd be a Swiss army knife... but no, he's tape.


Oh, and according to Wikipedia, his father has Jewish ancestry, but he was raised a Christian, not that it matters, nor did anyone say that it did!

 

[captain stone]

Multiple personell

Not unless the regular-season roster expands to 56.

Edelman >>> Slater.

 

[Why?PJ]

I'm just wondering when they replace Welker with Edelman on the kick return teams. Welker was terrible.

 

[Sciz]

Not unless the regular-season roster expands to 56.

Edelman >>> Slater.

Except on the kickoff and punting teams, where Slater was arguably the best in the NFL...

 

[Arrington Planet]

I'm just wondering when they replace Welker with Edelman on the kick return teams. Welker was terrible.

The primary kick returner was Danny Woodhead.

I just don't see any chance of Edelman becoming a full-time DB. He can be an emergency solution there if next season our secondary stinks as bad as it did last year or if there's a big injury plague, but that's all, I just don't think he has enough talent to rely on him, even providing depth as a dime CB.

And I sincerely think he's way overrated as a receiver. He had a good rookie year, when he showed some flashes... but what has he done on offense over the last two years? He's had only 7 receptions after that rookie year, during '10 season he barely saw action even with Welker coming back of a torn ACL and having statistically his worst season (by far) in New England . If he had been marginally useful these last two seasons as a receiver, nobody would have thought opening this post.

The only thing I agree he's been really useful it's returning punts. He isn't spectacular, but he's been an above average returner. And that's why I'd want him to stay if there isn't any player who can take his returning duties without a big drop off AND can contribute more in other areas.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

during '10 season he barely saw action even with Welker coming back of a torn ACL and having statistically his worst season (by far) in New England . If he had been marginally useful these last two seasons as a receiver, nobody would have thought opening this post.

(A) Welker's been doing this most of his life. Edelman was doing it for about a year or so.
(B) The main reason Edelman's PT on offense has gone down:

 

[Arrington Planet]

(A) Welker's been doing this most of his life. Edelman was doing it for about a year or so.

Well, you'd think that, after a promising 1st year and with Welker coming back of a very serious injury, he would have seen the field way more than he did. I'm not saying he should have took Wes' spot, but I expected a much bigger contribution than 4 catches all year, and 3 of them in a meaningless season ending game.

(B) The main reason Edelman's PT on offense has gone down:

600 passes and 5,200 yards are a lot. Again, I'm not suggesting he should have become a starter, but you'd expect that someone who's been labeled as "the next Welker" would have posted more than 3 receptions. I'm not asking for 1,000-yard seasons, but something more similar to his 1st year, 300-400 yards.

 

[DocHoliday]

Well, you'd think that, after a promising 1st year and with Welker coming back of a very serious injury, he would have seen the field way more than he did. I'm not saying he should have took Wes' spot, but I expected a much bigger contribution than 4 catches all year, and 3 of them in a meaningless season ending game.



600 passes and 5,200 yards are a lot. Again, I'm not suggesting he should have become a starter, but you'd expect that someone who's been labeled as "the next Welker" would have posted more than 3 receptions. I'm not asking for 1,000-yard seasons, but something more similar to his 1st year, 300-400 yards.

1st year - no Gronk/Hernandez + Wes Welker Healthy = 300 - 400 yards

Every year since - Gronk/Hernandez + Wes Welker Healthy = 4 catches a year

I mean, what do you expect? Welker is still around, and since his first year you added more targets in our TEs.

How do you expect him to be more productive when we have no reason to put him on the field when everyone is healthy?

He does a reasonable Welker impression and should be kept as his backup, a slot corner backup, and a PR.

He fills in 3 spaces for depth.

 

[Arrington Planet]

1st year - no Gronk/Hernandez + Wes Welker Healthy = 300 - 400 yards

Every year since - Gronk/Hernandez + Wes Welker Healthy = 4 catches a year

I mean, what do you expect? Welker is still around, and since his first year you added more targets in our TEs.

How do you expect him to be more productive when we have no reason to put him on the field when everyone is healthy?

He does a reasonable Welker impression and should be kept as his backup, a slot corner backup, and a PR.

He fills in 3 spaces for depth.

Second year, with Gronkowski and Hernandez as rookies and Welker coming off a torn ACL and still not at his best (as I stated before, it was his worst season since playing for the Patriots), and until that last meaningless game he had only one catch. I'm sorry, but I'd expect a little more from a guy who looked pretty decent just one season ago and you'd think you could rely on to not having to force Wes so much.

And third year, well, it's obvious that competition was worse for him, with Welker fully recovered and Gronk&Hernandez with a year of experience under their belt, but hell, he was absolutely a non-factor for a team that threw for more than 5,200 yards. He had less yards than Matt Slater...

You'd think that, if he was going to replace Wes any time soon (as some people has stated, even thinking about trading him), he would have took off some of Welker's load. Of course, I'm not talking about being the go-to-guy when the team need a critical 1st down with the game on the line, but sure trying to take advantage sometimes of the "fear" the defense had for our big trio.

And hell, it's gonna look like I hate the guy and I want him out of New England by tomorrow morning, yet I'd keep him on the team if there isn't anyone who can take his punt returning duties...

 

[Ron Sellers]

I think the love for Edelman as a receiver is a bit overstated. He has had a grand total of two games in his career with more than 43 yards receiving. The hype is based on two games, both of which the Patriots lost: week 2 in 2009 (8 receptions for 98 yards when the Jets were focused on shutting down Randy Moss, and Joey Galloway in his next-to-last game with the Pats reminded us that he was 38 years old), and the infamous week 17 game at Houston that same year (10 receptions for 103 yards).

If Edelman had shown during practices over the last three years that he merited more playing time, than the coaching staff would have devised a plan that would get him on the field more often.

What Edelman has going for him is that he can fill four roles: return punts; play on other special teams; fill in as a backup slot receiver if needed; fill in as a dime defensive back if needed. When you are limited to 46 roster spots on game day that versatility is valuable, because without it you may be extremely vulnerable in another position should an injury occur.

 

[VJCPatriot]

How the heck could BB dump a guy that plays PR. WR, DB and KR all at replacement level or better. It's incomprehensible.

Edelman is like a glue or putty type of player. You plug him in when you need a hole patched. On top of that he is an excellent special teamer. I think he makes the team although he won't have a clearly defined role on offense or defense.

 

[Ring 6]

1st year - no Gronk/Hernandez + Wes Welker Healthy = 300 - 400 yards

Every year since - Gronk/Hernandez + Wes Welker Healthy = 4 catches a year

I mean, what do you expect? Welker is still around, and since his first year you added more targets in our TEs.

How do you expect him to be more productive when we have no reason to put him on the field when everyone is healthy?

He does a reasonable Welker impression and should be kept as his backup, a slot corner backup, and a PR.

He fills in 3 spaces for depth.

So having enough ability to actually get put out on the field means nothing to you?
Edelman is not a backup DB. He played there as an emergency, and showed he is not a db.
The only impression he does of Welker is being his equal in whiteness.

Its make the team as a returnman or hook on with another team.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Edelman has the grand distinction of being the worst player on offense and the worst player on defense. I am hoping that a cornerback can return punts so we can cut him.

Good guy? Probably. Feisty? You betcha. Anything more than a funny storyline playing the secondary? Absolutely not. He filled in for a position of desperation, and it was admirable that he did so, but he was also the worst defensive back in the NFL.

In terms of offense, I think it's hilarious that people think he is even decent. Edelman has been a complete liability every time he's been with the offense since 2009. While he began his career looking like WW 2.0, he has become a completely unreliable target who is never on the same page as Brady and often leads to to turnovers when thrown the ball. The Patriots needed another option last year after Ochocinco stunk it up, and Edelman had a grand total of 4 receptions all season.

He's a good punt returner, but again, I'd rather have someone who can also add some value on either offense or defense.

I know my opinion is unpopular.