Julian Edelman: Should get him the ball and get him more involved

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Now I know Wes Welker is healthy which is a huge advantage that we have each Sunday but I would love to see the guy who they call his mini-me and shadow get more touches on the ball if possible. Julian Edelman, I am a big fan of his and loves what he can do in space one on one against defenders and wanna be tacklers. His ability to make people miss and break tackles is impressive. I can remember when he filled in for Wes, how similar their styles were but he had even more elusiveness and make you miss ability with a slightly sturdier style. He was improving his hands each week and actually became a very productive, consistent and dependable receiver who was relied on to make some plays. And just to shift gears, but at one time for special teams he was only second behind Devin Hester in punt return yards which translated to his YAC production on offense.

Now I realize that with others healthy and the way the offense is going that his playing time has been cut down but I would still like to see him in more 4 or 5 man sets, catching quick hitches, screens, reverses, bubble routes, plays across the middle, and even handoffs. After looking at tape of this guy, he has special talent and dynamics and feel like if they pushed him either ahead of Chad or in more multiple sets with him and Wes in at the same time that it would give an extra headache for defenses everywhere. And I say that because you now you have someone else on the field along with Wes who can pose the same threat (YAC wise). And consider that you must still account for Deion, those playmaking Tight Ends and runningbacks out of the backfield (Faulk, BJGE, Woodhead). Again, I'm just saying Julian Edelman is an explosive, elusive and electric player with the ball in his hands who can be another great weapon for Tom Brady to use in his ariel assault. Who ever said you can't take Julian's 2009 production and add it to this Offense even with Welker and those Tight Ends lighting it up? I'm just saying, get him cranked up in this offense as well and it could be fun to watch

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I like Edelman too but our 3rd WR is barely getting touches, how will he get work? And K Faulk may be returning too that means even less balls to go around. He'll make enough of an impact on PR and is quality depth in case a couple guys get hurt.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

How would that work? Really?? 4 or 5 Receiver sets with Kevin split wide or Hernandez ... 3 Receiver sets with Julian in for Chad on some packages, plenty of ways to get him the ball ... think about all the skilled players defenses have to pay attention to whether they are threatening during that particular game or not you have to respect what they can do .. Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Kevin Faulk, Danny Woodhead, BenJarvus Green-Ellis .. REALLY?? Again, get creative and if Chad is not producing then take him out and put Julian in and then see if the 3rd WR gets more touches

 

[RayClay]

Only so many receivers can be used and develop the type of timing with TB our system requires. It's a luxury to have Edelman and maybe he can work on one type of play to get some snaps.

And OP, please consider using paragraphs for readability.

 

[Sciz]

I really really like Edelman, but not at the expense of Hernandez. They do play awfully similarly, though, except that Hernandez is biggest and gets matched up on safeties rather than corners.

 

[Deus Irae]

He was improving his hands each week and actually became a very productive, consistent and dependable receiver who was relied on to make some plays.

When is this supposed to have happened?

 

[NSPF]

I feel kind of bad for the Edelperson. I think he could be making a lot of plays if he wasn't playing behind two other short, shifty receivers. Football careers are short, seems like a waste. That being said, I don't think it's in the best interest of the Patriots to give him many snaps. i know the thinking is, "If one Welker's great, imagine having two!", but it seems like the coaches don't see much value in that (plus the fact that he's not anywhere near Welker at this point in his career).

What I want to know is what the heck happened to our other "Welker clone," (though I kind of hate that term) Danny Woodhead. Last year, our offense seemed nigh unstoppable when he was in the game, and he was picking up an easy 6 ypc. This year he hasn't been nearly as productive, and it hasn't seemed like he has as much power in the running game.

 

[Sciz]

What I want to know is what the heck happened to our other "Welker clone," (though I kind of hate that term) Danny Woodhead. Last year, our offense seemed nigh unstoppable when he was in the game, and he was picking up an easy 6 ypc. This year he hasn't been nearly as productive, and it hasn't seemed like he has as much power in the running game.

That ankle isn't 100%. It shows.

 

[jsull87]

That ankle isn't 100%. It shows.

This... 10 char

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Can't wait to see Danny back 100% and we do have alot of little shifty elusive players ... which is a good problem to have if you really want to call it that

 

[DarrylS]

Edelman is better used fielding kickoffs & punts, giving Welker less touches in the punting area and sure hands/judgement on kickoffs...

INOW a special teams player...

 

[Patjew]

Edelman is better used fielding kickoffs & punts, giving Welker less touches in the punting area and sure hands/judgement on kickoffs...

INOW a special teams player...

Agreed. I get very nervous whenever I see WWW back to catch a punt. And I think Edelman is better at it now.

As long as Edelman isn't in the backfield I'm happy.

 

[andrewgarrr]

No he should not.

Why? Less touches for:

(1) Wes Welker
(2) Deion Branch
(3) Rob Gronkowski
(4) Aaron Henandez
(5) Benjarvus Green-Ellis
(6) Danny Woodhead


All six of the above players have shown more on the field in their opportunities than Edelman has in their respective careers. Why sacrifice touches for PROVEN playmakers for someone who is still relatively unknown? If it was categorically obvious that Edelman was better than any player in (1) thru (6) during practice, he would be getting touches in the games. Trust the coaches.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Edelman has a pretty solid slot receiver skill set. Unfortunately, he has a nasty habit of tibbing the ball in the air, causing interceptions. That is simply something that slot receivers just can not do.

 

[Dutchmaster617]

Now I know Wes Welker is healthy which is a huge advantage that we have each Sunday but I would love to see the guy who they call his mini-me and shadow get more touches on the ball if possible. Julian Edelman, I am a big fan of his and loves what he can do in space one on one against defenders and wanna be tacklers. His ability to make people miss and break tackles is impressive. I can remember when he filled in for Wes, how similar their styles were but he had even more elusiveness and make you miss ability with a slightly sturdier style. He was improving his hands each week and actually became a very productive, consistent and dependable receiver who was relied on to make some plays. And just to shift gears, but at one time for special teams he was only second behind Devin Hester in punt return yards which translated to his YAC production on offense.

Now I realize that with others healthy and the way the offense is going that his playing time has been cut down but I would still like to see him in more 4 or 5 man sets, catching quick hitches, screens, reverses, bubble routes, plays across the middle, and even handoffs. After looking at tape of this guy, he has special talent and dynamics and feel like if they pushed him either ahead of Chad or in more multiple sets with him and Wes in at the same time that it would give an extra headache for defenses everywhere. And I say that because you now you have someone else on the field along with Wes who can pose the same threat (YAC wise). And consider that you must still account for Deion, those playmaking Tight Ends and runningbacks out of the backfield (Faulk, BJGE, Woodhead). Again, I'm just saying Julian Edelman is an explosive, elusive and electric player with the ball in his hands who can be another great weapon for Tom Brady to use in his ariel assault. Who ever said you can't take Julian's 2009 production and add it to this Offense even with Welker and those Tight Ends lighting it up? I'm just saying, get him cranked up in this offense as well and it could be fun to watch

I have been asking this since early last season, won't happen. One thing about this team is that they won't use guys who are not familiar producing with Brady, the two sophomores (Gronk/Hernandez) are obvious and as TEs are useful, then just Welker and Branch who have several years of production with Brady. Ocho, Edelman, Price, Slater, Tate (last year) etc. will not get touches in this current Pats offense, why? I have no clue, you see teams like GB and Indy using young unknown WRs a lot and effectively, but its about time we stop asking and hope 4 receivers is enough.

 

[shmessy]

No he should not.

Why? Less touches for:

(1) Wes Welker
(2) Deion Branch
(3) Rob Gronkowski
(4) Aaron Henandez
(5) Benjarvus Green-Ellis
(6) Danny Woodhead


All six of the above players have shown more on the field in their opportunities than Edelman has in their respective careers. Why sacrifice touches for PROVEN playmakers for someone who is still relatively unknown? If it was categorically obvious that Edelman was better than any player in (1) thru (6) during practice, he would be getting touches in the games. Trust the coaches.

THERE.....WILL.......BE.......INJURIES..............

Happens every year.

This year, we have incredible depth at RB/WR.

Edelman will be heard from before the year is out.

He'll be heard from very soon on ST's at least. The two weeks off will be vital to fully healing that ankle.

 

[shmessy]

When is this supposed to have happened?

For anyone denigrating Julian Edelman, have a gander (apples to apples comparison) at the first 3 years of Welker's NFL career vs. Edelman's:


Welker (3 FULL years)
--------
Rec: 29 for 434

Rush: 1 for 5

Fumbles: 5

Fumbles Lost: 2



Edelman (2 years and 6 games into year3)
--------

Rec: 47 for 470

Rush: 7 for 21

Fumbles: 2

Fumbles Lost: 0

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Edelman is shifty and elusive, likely with more straight-line speed than Wes or Danny Woodhead, yet after first contact Julian needs to get lower to better avoid contact. Wes and Danny always seem to dive low, under the hit, and get an extra yard or two. Julian seems to take bigger hits more often at least on a per-play basis, and that isn't allowing him to stay healthy IMO.

 

[RJB87]

The main problem with throwing the ball to Edelman is that it's one less pass thrown Welker's way. We need to not be so greedy and think every option on our team needs to finish the year with 500+ yards. We have the best all-around offense for a reason.

Putting two or three Y-type receivers on the field is a bad idea. The defense will be able to condense their zones.

 

[Deus Irae]

For anyone denigrating Julian Edelman, have a gander (apples to apples comparison) at the first 3 years of Welker's NFL career vs. Edelman's:


Welker (3 FULL years)
--------
Rec: 29 for 434

Rush: 1 for 5

Fumbles: 5

Fumbles Lost: 2



Edelman (2 years and 6 games into year3)
--------

Rec: 47 for 470

Rush: 7 for 21

Fumbles: 2

Fumbles Lost: 0

This information might mean something, if it was the answer to what I'd asked. Since it wasn't, and since their career paths were different, it's meaningless. Furthermore, it's incorrect information.

Welker's first 3 years in the NFL:

2004: 0 catches
2005: 29 catches
2006: 67 catches


Edelman's high water mark, to date, came when he was a rookie catching 37 passes. He's caught a grand total of 10 passes since then:

2009: 37 catches
2010: 7 catches
2011: 3 catches

So, the data's not as you'd claimed, the two players receiving careers went in almost opposite directions in their first 3 seasons, and I wasn't denigrating Edelman in the first place.

Interesting post you made....