Edelman

[BBass]

So many debates over keeping or cutting Edelman but never a comment or thread about keeping or cutting Slater. I know his is a all pro ST guy but what else does he do for the team? Or better yet we hold up a roster spot for Atkins to just be a long snapper? We look so much for versitility but then we lock up valuable roster spots on specialist who isn't a punter or kicker.

Edelman isn't going to be Wes Welker but he is a elusive player that can do a lot more for our team then Atkins or Slater

 

[lurker1965]

Or Gaffney, Hernandez, Stallworth, Ebert............

Andy,

You are usually not an idiot.

Hernandez is a Tight End. What sort of person suggest moving his position to WR? (Yes, I know Belichick has lined him up like 25% in the slot. Receivers line up 98+% as wide receivers.)

As for the others, you are going to weaken the outside receivers to strengthen the slot? Nevermind the skills are different.

 

[Frezo]

I would hope that everyone here would be Man enough to admit that Hoyer can seamlessly replace Brady

Isn't that Edelman's job?

I'm comfortable seeing Edelman replace Welker for a game or two due to injury. As a full time replacement, I'll reserve judgement. Branch is not the answer though. He wears down running fly routes. A few hits from the likes of Urlacher, etc., and it's see ya later. I also feel that the Pats, while not dependent on, but are accustomed to getting YAC from the slot receiver. Branch turf dives if he feels there is a possibility that there is a chance that he might get hit. Fine for him at WR...bad for the slot where first downs are often determined by YAC.

 

[Kontradiction]

Good plan, if Branch was not traded and this was 2006.

Don't get me wrong. Branch was awesome in 2004 and 2005. I was upset at his leaving. But in 2012 he is older and not as quick.

Add to that he has an injury history, so sending him into linebackerland might not be a great idea.

In summary Branch replacing (a hypothetical) Welker in 2005 = good idea.
Branch replacing Welker in 2012 =

According to Football Outsiders, Branch did the majority of his work over the middle. 49% of his passes were caught over the middle, 37% short, 11% deep, and 4% bombs. So your analysis would seem to be just a bit off.

EDIT: For reference: FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Deion Branch

 

[lurker1965]

1) Be effective enough that the coaching staff wants him on the field, which encpasses getting open and catching the ball.
Surely you haven't been impressed with what he has done when he has gotten on the field the last 2 years.

Andy,

Do you think Hoyer and Mallet suck because they can't beat out Brady? They might be, but not because they can't beat Brady.

Edelman is behind Welker. He only gets lots of game time if Welker is out. When Welker was out Edelman played. When Welker was not out (like the past two years) he has not.

 

[Ring 6]

Andy,

Do you think Hoyer and Mallet suck because they can't beat out Brady? They might be, but not because they can't beat Brady.

Brady isn't Tiquan Underwood, Ochocinco, Brandon Tate, or Matt Slater.

Edelman is behind Welker. He only gets lots of game time if Welker is out. When Welker was out Edelman played. When Welker was not out (like the past two years) he has not.

That is simply not true. Edelman is a WR. He has not been able to beat out any of those players consistently to get on the field. When he has been on the field he has been invisible. Look at his snap count last year. It wasn't zero.
The excuse that he can only be on the field if Welker is not is a fabrication, and it is proven by his 16 catches in 8 game with a healthy Welker in 2009. Edelman would be on the field catching passes if he were effective.

 

[Ring 6]

Andy,

You are usually not an idiot.

Hernandez is a Tight End. What sort of person suggest moving his position to WR? (Yes, I know Belichick has lined him up like 25% in the slot. Receivers line up 98+% as wide receivers.)

As for the others, you are going to weaken the outside receivers to strengthen the slot? Nevermind the skills are different.

Our base offense is 2 WR, Welker and Branch last year, Welker and Lloyd this year with Hernandez in the slot and Gronk at TE. Edelman would not be that guy.
If we put a 3rd WR on the field in place of a TE, Welker moves to the slot. If we lost Welker HERNANDEZ would play there.
If we spread the field, we have Welker and Hernandez in the slots. If Welker were not there Branch would be.

How am I weakening the outside receivers by bringing a WR off the bench that isn't named Edelman?

Please tell me what formation Edelman would be the first choice off the bench if Welker went down.

 

[Ring 6]

So many debates over keeping or cutting Edelman but never a comment or thread about keeping or cutting Slater. I know his is a all pro ST guy but what else does he do for the team? Or better yet we hold up a roster spot for Atkins to just be a long snapper? We look so much for versitility but then we lock up valuable roster spots on specialist who isn't a punter or kicker.

Edelman isn't going to be Wes Welker but he is a elusive player that can do a lot more for our team then Atkins or Slater

Slater plays on every special team. Without every playing a snap on offense or defense he probably totals more snaps than Edelman.
Not sure who you want to long snap, or why we would be the only NFL team not to have a specialist. They are as important as the K or P.

 

[strngplyr]

I would hope that everyone here would be Man enough to admit that Hoyer can seamlessly replace Brady

Speaking of, we haven't had our "Trade Brady, he isn't getting younger!" thread this year yet.

 

[Jackson 2]

Speaking of, we haven't had our "Trade Brady, he isn't getting younger!" thread this year yet.

Patience is a virtue, my friend. Relax, they're (plural) coming.

 

[Fencer]

1) Be effective enough that the coaching staff wants him on the field, which encpasses getting open and catching the ball.
Surely you haven't been impressed with what he has done when he has gotten on the field the last 2 years.

I agree that Edelman hasn't contributed much playing with Welker and 2 elite receiving TEs (or even 1 TE, which is fair to mention).

Is it your contention that a better slot receiver would have?

 

[Ring 6]

I agree that Edelman hasn't contributed much playing with Welker and 2 elite receiving TEs (or even 1 TE, which is fair to mention).

Is it your contention that a better slot receiver would have?

Of course. By the way in 2010 when he caught 7 total passes, both TEs were rookies, Hernandez missed 2 games, Welker 1, and Alge Crumpler caugt more passes.
Are you really arguing a guy who caught 4 passes last year compares to a guy who caught 120, but if we had 2 Welkers the coaching staff wouldn't figure out a way to get the other one on the field?