Patriots Blog: Edelman Moving Up
BOSTON (CBS) - Only two games into the season and the use of Wes Welker and Julian Edelman is the big question in Pats nation. Well, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was on a conference call the other day and he defended his position.
When Julian is out on the field alongside Brandon Lloyd, with the two receivers and two tight ends, what do you like that he brings to that package?
"First of all, we played multiple different guys and we moved them around the other day, quite a little bit. We did the same thing in Tennessee. I think we have a lot of guys that can do different things and help us make some plays and move the ball. Julian is certainly one of those guys. He made quite a few plays the other day in the game and really helped us, and came up big, in a couple of those two-minute situations there. He's a guy that gives you everything he's got on every play. He's got speed and has caught the ball well for us so far this year. He's a returner and gives you an element of run-after-catch that I'd say is something he does fairly well. Not to say that we don't have other players that do it very well too, but Jules, I think, has earned the right to get out there and play. We used him a lot in the three-receiver sets opposite of Brandon, with Wes inside. And then used him a little bit in there in those two-tight end formations as well. "
Edelman Moving Up
No one really knows why but Julian Edelman is getting the start over Wes Welker and after talking to him in the locker room, you get the feeling that Julian is surprised also.
"I just go into the game doing whatever the coaches ask me to do," Julian responded. "I prepare each and every day like I'm going to be playing, and if my number is called, my number is called."
Julian's number is getting called more and more. He has to know something is up because he's more involved in practice. All he wants to do though is improve.
"I'm actually dealing with it the same," Julian said. "You go in on Tuesday, get the game plan, and you do what the coaches ask you to do and you go out there and do it to the best of your ability. That's what I'm doing, that's what I'll continue to do."
