What a strange life you must lead, keeping track of the consistency special teams arguments on a message board.
1) I am a mod here. One the major aspects of this for me is the opening of threads and the the stimulating of discussion. Sometimes I push arguments when I believe them or not. Over time I may very well argue both sides of issues. Live with or not. That is your choice.
2) With regard to special teams, I have always argued for the importance of special teams, starting many, many threads on the subject. I suspect that I start more than anyone else does. It just isn't an important topic to many. Depending on the year, I have argued for keeping anywhere from "2 to 6 special-teams only players".
3) Arguing about individual players is a slightly different issue. I have often supported Slater, for many years. HOWEVER, as with all players not named Brady or Wilfork, I have discussed his value and whether he might be beaten out for his position. I might even have suggested that White might beat him out for his roster spot or Morris. We should always be evaluating players.
4) With regard to Edelman, I have posted many, many posts THIS season suggesting that he was a lock as a STer, along with Slater. I was the one that, even last week, suggested that Edelman should have a position because of his value as a punt returner.
After reading the discussion from many posters, I was convinced that I had overvalued the marginal contribution of punt returners.
I then decided to discuss to post a thread about Edelman. I don't see why what I say is a big deal for you. I'm not here to win debating points. I am here to share my views, listen to the views of others and hopefully to understand the team better.
5) Some have a different analysis than I do. They simply decide how many wide receiver spots we will have (almost always 6 including one for a STer like Slater) and then view the competition for the 6 roster spots. I suspect that half the threads in the last week has been about choosing which 6 receivers we will keep. Since this is obviously an issue of interest, I gave it a different spin.
AND JUST BY THE WAY
I strongly disagree with your position that Edelman is more likely to make this team than Branch. But then, that is my position.
You think it unreasonable to consider a top gunner and backup db like Cole to be likely to make the team because he only signed a 1-year contract. Well, I believe the same about White. Again we disagree.
I think it silly at best to think that Johnson is a lock to make the team because he has reduced his salary to $1M. I did err in neglecting to mention him. In the arithmetic of most, there are many competing for the #3, #4, and #5 wide receiver spots. Some consider Edelman a near lock. I don't.
WHAT THE EMOTION IS ALL ABOUT
Edelman has been a great, great, story. He has been a perfect utility player. He is the player we all would like to see make the team. We've had many, many binkies like Edelman over the years. They don't all retire as patriots.
Edelman has filled critical roles as an emergency WR and as an emergency DB. The answer is not necessarily to keep Edelman. Belichick answer is to get much more depth at those positions.
IMHO, THE BEST ARGUMENT FOR KEEPING EDELMAN CAME FROM DI
DI suggests that Edelman is fine backup for Welker, and perhaps the only reliable one. Perhaps backup slot receiver is indeed worth a roster spot. Of course, Gonzalez or a rookie could beat our Edelman for this roster spot, but a position has been identified, backup slot receiver.
