FOXBOROUGH — With Wes Welker on pace for another Wes Welker kind of season, the teammate who may end up being Welker’s replacement someday is looking for his own role on the Patriots.
Ever since being drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round in 2009 and making the conversion from quarterback (the Patriots were pretty set there), Julian Edelman has returned punts, and earned some snaps as a receiver. Late last season, he even played a little in the secondary.
Comments
It'll be clear next year when they let Welker walk. Which makes sense. Welker is going to be way expensive, we are learing to exploit our two tight ends for the passing game, and Edelman is more than sufficient in the slot. Ironically, I bet Welker would really like to stay, even with a modest home town discount, just to keep playing with #12. But he has priced himself out of the organization. Good landing spot for him? How about Indy? Or Washington? Or Seattle? Or Denver!?
Edelman is a good player but he is not Welker. The early games where the Patriot's feature Edelman over Welker did not work. The results are there for everyone to see. At this point, the Patriots need to continued with the offense that will produce points. Worry about next year during the post season.