5 Myths Disproven by Julian Edelman's Contract Extension
At some point today, Julian Edelman is going to put his name on the line which is dotted, keeping him in New England through at least 2019. Meaning we get (probably) three more seasons of watching Edelman make clutch catches, drive defensive coordinators to anti-depressants, return punts, be hilarious mic’d up on NFL Films, bounce up after getting drilled and running back to Tom Brady with the ball in his mouth to be petted and thrown to again.
Obviously this is a moment to be celebrated. A time to rejoice. Not for negativity or picking fights. It would wrong to use an occasion like this to remind all the anti-Patriots jihadists how wrong they’ve been about so many things. But let me pause a moment to remind them how wrong they’ve been. Really, about their entire worldview. Because this extension for Minitron should dispel a few myths that still get repeated like they’re true:
Myth #1: The Patriots don’t know how to draft wide receivers. It bears repeating: In 18 drafts during the Belchick Empire, he’s drafted a total of 15 wideouts. A few of whom were taken to be special teamers (Mathew Slater), a bunch of whom were 7th-rounders (Jeremy Gallon, Devin Lucien, Jeremy Ebert). The fact they hit a home run with one of those 7ths in David Givens and a walk off Grand Slam in Edelman in addition to Deion Branch, Malcolm Mitchell (I’m projecting) makes this a win given how little draft capital they’ve invested and the bust rate at the position.
Myth #2: (Circa 2013-14) “The Patriots made a huge mistake! They’ll never replace Wes Welker!” Remember this one? I for sure haven’t forgotten. It was a staple of sports radio and bomb-lobbing columnists for a couple of years. The Patriots were cheaping out on Welker. Disloyal. It was another example of Belichick’s (wait for it) … arrogance. Welker was Mr. Dependable. He was way more durable than either Edelman or my newest, bested bud Danny Amendola …
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But let the record show the team transitioned away from Welker at precisely the right time. He was fading just as Edelman was on the rise. He went from 1,354 receiving yards in his final year in New England to 778 and 464 in Denver, until finally ending his career with only 102 in eight games in St. Louis. Meanwhile since 2013, Edelman has 356 catches, behind only Antonio Brown, Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones and Larry Fitzgerald over that stretch.
Myth #3: To win a championship, you need a big, rangy wideout who can [opens Cliche Generator app] take the top off the defense. Since taking over as the starting slot receiver in 2013 Edelman’s numbers in 10 postseason games are 80 catches, 949 yards and three touchdowns. No one else comes close. Doug Baldwin – another smallish slot guy – is second on the receptions list with 52. Edelman doesn’t have to take the top off defenses; he pulls their tops down and motorboats the hell out of them.
Myth #4: The Patriots don’t pay. This extension isn’t one of those Fake News ones with the huge salary figure that is all back-loaded and full of mythical incentives that will never be met that sounds way richer than it will ever be. It has a $5 million up front bonus and a bunch of very reachable incentives that will in all likelihood be close to $15 million over the two years. It also means that the guys they have locked up until at least 2019 are: Edelman, Brady, Gronk, Devin McCourty, Dont’a Hightower, Stephon Gilmore, James White, Marcus Cannon and Duron Harmon. They pay. They just pay the guys they know they can depend on and let the Jamie Collinses swim in a pool filled with gold while going 3-13 in Cleveland.
Myth #5: The rest of the NFL has the first clue about what they’re doing. Edelman has hit the open market twice and couldn’t get a deal done with any other team. Before the 2013 season, the Giants talked to him but didn’t make an offer. So he came back to New England on a minimal deal of one-year for $1 million and change. Then produced 100+ catches and 1000+ yards. Even after that, the Pats let him shop around. And the best he could do was a visit with the 49ers, where he might have taken a hometown discount. And again, couldn’t get signed so he came back to the Patriots. And now with this deal in place, no one will likely ever get another shot at him. I guess productive, reliable, talented, athletic, durable receivers just grow on trees.
Again, this is a time to be happy, not settle old grudges. Fortunately, nothing makes me happier than settling old grudges. We look forward to many more catches, touchdowns, punt returns and Edelman’s signature hilarious pizza reviews in the years to come.