New England Patriots Magical On Third Downs

The New England Patriots have been the target of the NFL in multiple scandals in recent years. The reason they are targeted is very simple, they win and they keep winning. A league aiming toward stability and even competition will target any team that wins as often as they do. I’m not one to try to find what they do wrong in a league filled with corruption and run by an incompetent commissioner. However, people should focus on what New England does right. The Patriot Way has proven to be consistent and productive for many years.

Third down conversions come easy for the Pats, and it’s a very reliable predictor of team performance. Two “stars” in recent years at wide receiver have been Wes Welker and Julian Edelman. Welker hasn’t played this season and is currently a free agent, but Edelman still relishes his role as one of Tom Brady’s go-to guys on third down. Still, despite his tremendous productivity, he rarely gets the recognition he deserves outside of New England.

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The Patriots selected him in the 7th round out of Kent State, where he played quarterback. Welker went undrafted before signing with the San Diego Chargers in 2004. Both come in at less than six feet tall and lack the obvious physical tools scouts look for. Welker, one of the best returners in recent years, ran a 4.65 40-yard dash. Despite these apparent disadvantages, Welker and Edelman are masters of route running and third down conversions.

Since the Patriots traded for Welker in 2007, they have finished outside of the top ten in third down efficiency just once, in 2013. They have finished number one twice and have finished seasons five times in the top five since signing Welker. They have the best mark in the league so far this season, by a wide margin. Welker left NE for Denver after the 2012 season, but Edelman made fans forget him quickly by dominating as a possession receiver all season in 2013, totaling 105 receptions.

Many teams still go into draft day looking for the next elite talent at receiver. The Patriots have proven that all it takes is the right type of player in the right system. Welker and Edelman are stars in New England fans eyes. On third downs, opponents know where the ball is going and still cannot stop them. Physical gifts only take you so far in this league. Welker and Edelman both show that the game of football is much more than combine results.

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