Edelman: Canton or Cannot and What of PEDs?

drbretto

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Apr 10, 2009
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You’re biased. That’s ok; you’re a fan, it’s supposed to be fun. But when “narrative” and “handsomeness” are two key planks in your argument, maybe realize that anybody who’s not a big Patriots fan is going to find your opinion a little less than credible. When the HOF starts letting in guys for being cool dudes, let me know. You need numbers.

And David Ortiz was one of the best hitters in baseball for about a decade when it was 3 years before he retired, with 9 all star nods and 5 top-5 MVP finishes. Narrative my ass; David Ortiz was a terror at the plate. Edelman a wonderful player, but he is no David Ortiz. He’s closer to Jack Morris.
Oh, I'm totally biased. I'm not even trying to hide that. That post is not intended to be an argument FOR the HoF, it's just me not seeing it as dire as others, mainly because he still has time to get those numbers into something close enough for discussion.

But I do think you underestimate narrative. The stats are the bones, and you sure do need good strong bones to make a reasonable argument. But the narrative is the meat on the bones, and that can take a borderline candidate and give them a real chance. If he ends up with 5 rings or something to that effect, and continues to be front and center in this run, he will sway voters if his numbers are even close.
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
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Jul 18, 2005
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Well, ok. If Julian Edelman ends up with 5 rings, all bets are off assuming he is an active participant on those teams through the playoffs.
 

tims4wins

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Edelman needs 37 more playoff catches to pass Jerry Rice, I think. Say he plays 3 more years. Catches roughly 250 more regular season passes. And passes Jerry Rice on the all time playoff catches mark. If he passes Rice, doesn't he HAVE to make the HoF?
 

drbretto

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Apr 10, 2009
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Well, Jim Irsay just poked the bear and said that a team isn't GOAT until it wins 3 Super Bowls in a row which I am hoping is already tacked up in BB's office. If they do that, he'll have his 5. It's not impossible. They got a lot of draft picks to fill in any holes.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
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Jul 15, 2005
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Fun playoff fact:
Jorge Posada has more playoff hits than anyone else except Jetes. I'd probably rather have both Edelman and Dumbo out than in.
Baseball playoff stats are skewed since 1995 (coincidentally, the first time Jeter made the playoffs) due to the extra round though.
 

EL Jeffe

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Aug 30, 2006
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Does anyone find it a bit odd how aggressive the Patriots have been in trying to sign a slot receiver, particularly in light of their limited cap space vs the other (perceived) needs on the roster? Edelman is still signed, playing at a high level, so why go after slot receivers so hard? This is very much a "I'm not saying, I'm just saying..." post. I do wonder if the team knows something that isn't out there yet. I very much hope to be wrong, but this strikes me as an odd approach. Outside receiver seems like the much bigger need at the moment.
 

Super Nomario

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Nov 5, 2000
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Does anyone find it a bit odd how aggressive the Patriots have been in trying to sign a slot receiver, particularly in light of their limited cap space vs the other (perceived) needs on the roster? Edelman is still signed, playing at a high level, so why go after slot receivers so hard? This is very much a "I'm not saying, I'm just saying..." post. I do wonder if the team knows something that isn't out there yet. I very much hope to be wrong, but this strikes me as an odd approach. Outside receiver seems like the much bigger need at the moment.
I think there are a few things here. The Patriots do a lot of motion, combination routes, odd shifts (like Develin outside) that reduce the need for a traditional outside WR. They've also gotten by with non-traditional outside receivers outside (Hogan and LaFell were both primarily slots prior to NE). The other factor is that the market just had a lot more in terms of slot guys. Who were the outside guys on the market, pretty much just Tyrell Williams and John Brown?
 

JohnnyK

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May 8, 2007
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Does anyone find it a bit odd how aggressive the Patriots have been in trying to sign a slot receiver, particularly in light of their limited cap space vs the other (perceived) needs on the roster? Edelman is still signed, playing at a high level, so why go after slot receivers so hard?
I couldn't find the data for the 2018 season but before that Edelman only lined up in the slot about 50% of the time so it definitely makes sense to have another slot receiver. And who knows how much longer he will play, he isn't exactly young.