Patriots: What Josh McDaniels just said about Julian Edelman makes no sense
By Adam Weinrib
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels should have a better idea of how to get Julian Edelman going by now.
Other than one Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr., the No. 1 constant in the Patriots offense over the past decade has been Julian Edelman in the slot.
Always open like Store 24, Edelman has been consistently able to free himself from all coverage, both 10 yards down the field at a time and far further. His separation, schemed as well as battled for, has always been impressive, and no man knows that better than offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Which makes it so confusing that McDaniels confronted Edelman’s struggles in 2020 by claiming that the offensive coordinator simply needs to figure out a better way of “getting him going.”
"I need to do a good job of trying to get him going."
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) October 21, 2020
Josh McDaniels wants to get Julian Edelman more involved in the Patriots' offense. https://t.co/ywJsK5QveA pic.twitter.com/owgO0RrEVM
Perhaps McDaniels is falling on the sword here for his top wideout, but it’s fairly difficult to scheme better for someone whose best traits have already been exploited week in and week out for a decade. By you, specifically.
The issue with Edelman in 2020 appears to be twofold: He’s still nicked up and aging, and he’s been battling a damaging case of the dropsies.
Unfortunately, an adjusted game plan for McDaniels can’t really counteract either of those two realities.
Edelman’s best contributions since his career-high yardage game in Week 2 against the Seahawks have mainly been with his arm. Perhaps that’s what McDaniels was referring to?
Patriots dipping into the bag of trick 🪄 @Edelman11 @SweetFeet_White
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 18, 2020
📺 #DENvsNE on CBS pic.twitter.com/ZdTtzApwqf
Edelman’s statistical compiling has been confusing in 2020. All told, his 20 receptions for 302 yards in five games isn’t outwardly disappointing, but 179 of those yards came in the Seattle shootout, with Edelman victimizing Jamal Adams repeatedly. Better times.
Against the Broncos, the veteran hauled in just two of his six targets for eight total receiving yards. After two weeks largely without practice time, it should be vets like Edelman stepping up and leading the offense, not shrinking away.
Instead, we’ve got McDaniels taking responsibility for not innovating on a game plan that’s worked for 10 years.
