NFL.com Edelman poised to "make a leap"

[Off The Grid]

*This Thread Has Been Flagged For Excessive FootBall-Related Content* :nono:

 

[Gumby]

I actually LIKE EDEL-Dude a lot, but......

it looked like the Jets game was going to be his watershed coming out party but right after the scoop and score he broke something else.

I like that he's got a QB background...in an emergency that would come in handy NOT REALLY...so there's a nice little plus. He's got good football smarts, decent hands, 4.5 speed....yeah, OK, he's an NFL football player...BUT...look, at some point a player HAS TO play...not a game here or there ...not a good play every once in a while. 100% Agree with you on this point.

Edel-dude is a bit of a mystery for me. He is obviously football smart and athletic; but .....
I will say again (as in previous threads) he is a DWARF (5' 10"). He is NEVER, {using my valley girl-imitation voice} Like I mean NOT EVER, going to play QB. OK. If you want to say his QB experience gives him a better understanding of routes ok; but he has had 4 seasons to throw even a flea-flicker: Here are his stats: 48 GP, 0 Comp, 0 Att.
So after 4 years, I think everyone has to give in to the thought that BB is NOT PLANNING TO USE HIM THAT WAY for even a flea flicker; so QB is obviously out.

The piece that makes him mysterious is that he was a WR-PROJECT . He did convert from college QB; so you would EXPECT that he would show an UPWARD TREND in wr #s as he learns the position. But instead you get his per game stats going downward or at best up/down: (2009/10/11/12)
targets: 5 / 1 / 0.6 / 3.3
recepts: 3 / 0.5 / 0.3 / 2.3
yds/catch: 10 / 12 / 9 / 11

A lot of that is probably due to being given GP credit for last 2 years as #1 PR and #5 wr duty so he didnt see the field a lot as a wr. Whereas in 2009 he was more #3/4 wr. Probably would be better to measure him on SNAP basis because of his ST value obscuring his stats. Measuring ONLY O snaps would give you a better read than the above GAME avgs.

But at end of the day it comes down to do you think it is OPPORTUNITY or ABILITY that is holding him back. Both arguments have merit - he was apparently given OPPORTUNITY in wk 1 last year and didnt make the most of it - so maybe he just isnt anything more than an emergency-trick WR (this is what my head tells me).

But as long as AH, Gronk and WW were on the field - he wasn't going to get too many opportunities & TB did zero in on WW a lot. --- JE does flash that ability w/ open field moves. so you could (theoretically equally) argue he just needs more chance to get that repoire with TB (this is what my heart tells me).


I would love to see him become a reliable (WR #3) target for TB; but if I had to put money down - I would put it on Amendola, Dobson, Jenkins, and Jones being in front of him in depth chart and if he is WR #4 or 5 -- then (particularly with 2TEs playing almost every down) this year again the REAL REASON he will stick on the team will be his PR / ST ability and nothing really to do with his wr skills.

 

[IllegalContact]

I think Donald Jones is the guy to take the biggest step forward.....he runs good routes

may not be a 1200 yard WR, but he can have the same types of numbers brandon Lloyd, but be more consistent......more like david givens

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

JE is our leatherman tool. Very versatile. BB seems to like him, and I trust his evaluation of him more than anyone else. While not an outstanding reciever, he adds depth at many positions. I'm glad he's here.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, Edelman will be our 4th or 5th WR, our punt returner and a special teamer. This all makes Edelman very valuable as long as he is healthy.

However, this is NOT what we are discussing in this thread. The open question is whether Edelman will "make a leap" and be a productive #2 or#3 wide receiver, something other than the 4th choice when he is on the field.

JE is our leatherman tool. Very versatile. BB seems to like him, and I trust his evaluation of him more than anyone else. While not an outstanding reciever, he adds depth at many positions. I'm glad he's here.

 

[hovis]

2013: Year of The Hooligan.


Posted from Patsfans.com App for Android

 

[captain stone]

I am confident that Edelman will make the leap this season...to the trainer's table.

 

[ivanvamp]

My two cents: I don't see Edelman making "the leap" this year to some star status as a WR. If he stays healthy (a big if), I think he can be a pretty productive NFL receiver, especially in this offense with this QB delivering the ball. And he's obviously a terrific punt returner and special teamer, so he's a guy you want on your team.

If he stays healthy, I would think that a stat line like this might be in the offing:

40 rec, 600 yds, 5 td

Something like that. And that would make him a very useful receiver, but not someone who has made "the leap".

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

The guy filled in for Wes Welker just fine, actually doing pretty good being that he was a rookie and that was his first time actually playing wide receiver. And normally, former quarterbacks that become wide receivers turn into really good to great receivers. I just think that there isn't one thing on the field that this guy cannot do offensively. He can line up in the backfield, go out for screens, smoke screens, play some X, play the slot, run reverses, and etc. He is elusive, quick, fast, explosive (more explosive then Wes Welker), athletic, smart, gutsy, and has a low center of gravity. Not to mention he is one of the most electrifying punt returners in the game. He can be like our own version of a Percy Harvin, or DeSean Jackson but more of a receiver in the mold of a faster and more quicker Wes Welker. He does after all, have qualities of that in Woodhead, Wes Welker and current teammate Danny Amendola. I really believe, if healthy he can and will become a great asset to the offense and a perhaps a megastar being in his fifth year, and experience with Tom. Plays full speed, and harder then anyone I've seen in a long time. Mark my words, he will have a monster year and break out.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

He is NEVER, {using my valley girl-imitation voice} Like I mean NOT EVER, going to play QB.

With apologies to Taylor Swift. . . .

He is never, ever, ever going to play QB
He is never, ever, ever going to play QB
You go look at his tape, look at Pats tape, ask BB (ask BB)
But he is never, ever, ever, ever going to play QB

 

[belichick010405]

In 2009 JE had 43 receptions (on 62 targets) in 12 games (11 regular season games + 1 playoff game). Extrapolate that to a full 16 games and that is 57 receptions. That would have easily made him the third most productive receiving target behind Moss and WW (in terms of receptions).
I'm not disagreeing with all your assertions, however, that one year does lay some foundation that JE knows how to get open. Of course this is 2013 not 2009. Whether injuries, lack of progression, outpaced by other receiver targets, a combination of all three or something else, his most recent WR production is not overly encouraging. And if the Patriots need JE to be a big WR presence then I agree, that ain't good!

As i see it, if JE can say healthy for all 16 games and perform the PR duties at a high level/as he has shown previous, perform other ST duties, contribute between 30 and 40 receptions (with a couple of TDs)? That makes him a real solid part of the Patriots. And IF the issue of health finally is not a problem (not a good bet unfortunately), I think there is plenty of evidence to suggest JE can deliver that kind of year.

If Julian Edelman can replicate what he did in the Jets and Colts games, I know that I will be excited when it comes to his role. He looked like he was going to really have a net positive effect on this offense until he got hurt.

I still like his chances this year to do something that is going to be needed in the slot and as a part of the punt return team. And yes, he was significant in the punt return game until he got hurt.