Julian Edelman?

[Jackson 2]

If everyone was banned for something as tame as smartass, you'd be posting to your echo. Don't be so thin skinned.

It was an "inside joke" of sorts. Believe me, I've been deservedly called worse things than "a smartass" before, most likely as recently as this afternoon.

 

[supafly]

My sense is that Edelman's recent lack of targets/receptions is due largely to the return of Gronk and Amendola, plus the emergence of Dobson.

Yep, I'm sure that definitely has something to do with it. Gronk and Amendola have both returned and continue to get healthy, and Dobson has emerged over the past month or so.

Either way you look at it, Edelman is providing us with a much better WR3 game than last year (Edelman 21 catches, Branch 16 catches) and maybe even the past couple of years since Branch's 51 catch season.

Like many other contract situations, I expect it to come down to whether or not Belichick opens up the checkbook a bit more, and whether or not some other team comes in and throws a better enough deal to lure him away. I think he has a much better chance of returning than last year though, as it would seem that the coaches have to appreciate his progression and continued special teams play.

 

[Jackson 2]

If I misunderstood your remark, I apologize. He's a great punt returner and a good utility player besides. Other receivers probably have more potential (IMO)and having him in reserve instead of on the injury list has benefits too.

No apology necessary. In review, my remark could easily be misunderstood. At times, I react in a knee-jerk manner. I'm working on it, but progress could certainly be faster.

 

[supafly]

In terms of a new pact:

Are we talking about a fair and reasonable increase from about 700-800k to say, double that per year? Or are we talking about a deal like 3 yrs/6.5 million or something?

For what it's worth, I am thinking something much closer to the first, smaller projection, but this is a case of the unknowns a bit--especially if Edelman continues to remain healthy and ends up putting up 85 catches or so. We've seen plenty of cap rich, bottom tier teams come in and scoop a player away for a bigger payday.

I sure wish we'd have just signed him to a longer deal at 2 yrs/2 million or something, but unfortunately it didn't get done that way.

 

[Jackson 2]

Yep, I'm sure that definitely has something to do with it. Gronk and Amendola have both returned and continue to get healthy, and Dobson has emerged over the past month or so.

Either way you look at it, Edelman is providing us with a much better WR3 game than last year (Edelman 21 catches, Branch 16 catches) and maybe even the past couple of years since Branch's 51 catch season.

Like many other contract situations, I expect it to come down to whether or not Belichick opens up the checkbook a bit more, and whether or not some other team comes in and throws a better enough deal to lure him away. I think he has a much better chance of returning than last year though, as it would seem that the coaches have to appreciate his progression and continued special teams play.

Yeah, I agree. I think the only other team that seemed to show any interest this past off-season was the Giants, and I'm not sure they even made him an offer. I believe Edelman's inability to stay healthy in the past was a major factor in the lack of interest. It's encouraging that, so far at least, he's been healthy this season. Of course, now that I've written this he'll go on IR on 11/19...

 

[ATippett56]

Edelman - pay the man

Edelman is as valuable to the team as Matt Slater.

http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Matt Slater&Position=WR&Team=Patriots

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

The emergence of Aaron Dobson, Amendola and Gronk now give the offense 3 top flight weapons which is why you have seen less of Edelman. Defenses will have enough time trying to slow down those three if they can, which will take away some catches from Julian but who knows.