It is being reported that New England Patriots wideout Julian Edelman is facing a 4 game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
Well, the notion that the New England Patriots are cheaters just got a little more credible. Adam Schefter and Field Yates are reporting that the NFL has handed down a 4 game suspension to Julian Edelman for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
The suspension is currently under appeal and a source told Schefter that Edelman has taken “hundreds of tests” and hasn’t failed a single one, but things aren’t looking good for Edelman.
So the story may not end here. For all, we know Edelman may be innocent and since the suspension is still under appeal it could be reversed, but that seems to be a long shot. The last time a suspension was reversed was in 2012 when Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman appealed his suspension. So lets just say Jules is out 4 games, how does that affect the New England Patriots?
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A change of plans
Well first off it looks like Braxton Berrios will be getting some playing time right out of the gate. I don’t know if the Patriots knew something, but they signed, drafted, and traded for a good chunk of receivers. Occam’s razor states that the simplest solution is usually the correct one, so maybe the Patriots were aware of a possible suspension.
Berrios is a carbon-copy of Edelman. The Patriots might give Berrios an expanded role since they can run the same plays. Berrios will be used in the slot and be on the receiving end of short to medium range passes.
Also, this would now mean that Jordan Matthews will probably be a top-2 wideout. Matthews has been performing well when paired with Tom Brady during minicamp. The Patriots will need Matthews to perform well in the upcoming season so the Pats don’t fall behind early in the season.
The Edelman news also makes the Malcolm Mitchell situation even more important. Thursday’s practice was the first time we have seen Mitchell since the beginning of OTA’s. Even on Thursday Mitchell was practicing away from everyone else and more focused on rehab than actual football plays.
Edelman was slated to return to his top spot on the depth chart, but it looks like Chris Hogan will be taking over that role. Hogan has played great as a Patriots but has had some issues staying healthy. If Hogan is injured in those first 4 weeks the Patriots top receiver may be a guy who wasn’t on the roster at the beginning of the year.
Also, the Patriots running back core will have to help Brady and the offense out. Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and James White may get some more carries as the Pats may have a more balanced offense.
With all that being said
The Patriots will be just fine. How long have we heard next man up? The Patriots are known to turn nobody’s into somebody’s and that could be the case of Berrios. The rookie could come out of nowhere and produce immediately. Maybe Matthews will find his career revitalized in New England and these 4 games will be the jumping off point?
Maybe we are looking in the wrong place. Michel or Burkhead may go off since they will probably get some extra carries.
No matter what the Patriots will survive.
The Patriots have two tough matchups to start the season. They face two ferocious defenses in the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Then the Patriots face the Lions in what should be a relatively easy game and then the Pats face another quality defense in the Miami Dolphins.
There is a real chance that the Patriots could start their season 1-3. These defenses could cause some problems for an offense without their top wideout.
But, the Patriots still have Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, the two best players to play their position. I’m pretty confident that the Patriots will be just fine.
Official Prediction:
I expect the Patriots to go 3-1. The Patriots offense will still be able to dominate the Texans, Lions, and Dolphins, but the Jaguars are going to be a contender in the AFC. They have one of the best defenses in the league and even though the Patriots defeated them in the playoffs last year, the Pats are a completely different team.
Things just got a lot more interesting at Patriots minicamp. The New England Patriots have had to deal with the stigma that they are cheaters. Opposing fans will use this as another opportunity to say that the Patriots aren’t as good as there record shows.
Next: Something's up with Malcolm Mitchell
It seemed like it would be smooth sailing since Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski returned to camp, but we were sadly mistaken.