Will Julian Edelman Choose New York Giants?
Words can’t describe what I’m feeling right now as news of free agent wide receiver Julian Edelman are running rapidly that New York Giants Eli Manning might have Edelman as his new pal. Seriously?
Nov 18, 2012; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
If anyone thinks that free agency frenzy has gone cold and boring, well, think again. In my radar, there is one guy out there that has been underrated during this entire free agency period and I just don’t know why in the world he is still a free agent. But most importantly, why haven’t the New England Patriots re-signed Julian Edelman?
In my previous article, New England Patriots: Julian Edelman Should Be An Option, I could not emphasize more of the need of re-signing Edelman. Together with running back Leon Washington (awesome on passing, running and returning game), wide receiver Julian Edelman (first player since the AFL-NFL merger with both a receiving touchdown and a return touchdown in consecutive games) would be phenomenon in the offense and special teams.
A Patriot since being drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Edelman is more than familiar with the Patriots system and certainly can add depth on the outside as the Patriots much need a wide receiver to cover the outside and that can stretch down the field. I think he plays better on the outside rather than slot as he caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Brady on the Thanksgiving Day game against the New York Jets. Needless to say, he has three career punt return touchdowns.
For the New York Giants, if they don’t sign Edelman as an upgrade and replacement for their former wide receiver Domenik Hixon who signed with the Carolina Panthers this Wednesday, it would be “naïve” to pass on this opportunity. And for the New England Patriots, I still think it would be giving up a “Super Bowl jackpot ticket”. But hey, Bill Belichick knows what’s best for the team more than anyone else. It will all come down to money, though. Usually money dictates the direction players will go. Also, Edelman seems to be more interested in playing-time. But by the looks of it, Edelman is getting too comfy as it was reported he had dinner with team officials last night.
However, it bogs my mind to find out that Terrell Owens, who hasn’t played since 2010, was spotted catching passes, along with Danny Amendola, from Tom Brady as reported by the USC Athletics on Twitter.
I get about Brady throwing to Amendola, but T.O., it must be an “attention detour” or practice for Brady as T.O. later twiteed the workout also involved Minnesota Vikings and Matt Cassel.
Follow Celia Westbrook on Twitter @celiawestbrook