Patriots Gridiron News: The playoff stage is where Julian Edelman shines
After missing the entire 2017 NFL season, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman returns to the playoff stage once again.
The NFL playoffs are here once again for the New England Patriots. An AFC Divisional round matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers has been set and that means Julian Edelman will return to the playoff stage once again.
At 32, the Patriots veteran receiver enters this year’s divisional round as the team’s all-time leader in postseason receptions and is also inching up the list for most playoff receptions in the history of the NFL.
While no one would expect Julian Edelman to catch the great Jerry Rice, who has 151 career receptions, he could get up to at least the top 5 depending on far the team goes this season. With his past playoff experience and the team’s lack of receivers going into the playoffs, Edelman may just see a lot of targets, especially this time of seasons.
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After missing the first four games due to suspension, Edelman came off his torn ACL to record 74 receptions for 850 yards in the regular season. He did have some key drops, but it really is amazing that he still came close to a 1,000-yard season for the Patriots this season.
There were times where he obviously appeared to have lost a step, but towards the end of the season Patriots fans started to see that receiver with the high motor again. Going up against the Los Angeles Chargers defense, Tom Brady will need that quick target, a receiver who will be at the right spot at the right time and that is where Edelman will shine.
Mostly, due to his physicality on the field and mental toughness, Edelman is an offensive playmaker Brady knows will be ready, even if he is not completely 100 percent.
"“He really does all the dirty work for us,” Brady said of Edelman. “He’s so scrappy and goes in there and blocks hard, catches balls over the middle. We put him in a lot of different positions he always seems to come through for us.”"
His playoff history proves it
Julian Edelman has certainly come through for the New England Patriots. His pal Danny Amendola earned the nickname “Playoff Amendola,” but Edelman has had his share of big plays in the playoffs, including a touchdown pass to Amendola in the divisional round back in 2015.
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The little big man also played a big role in the team’s comeback against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. He not only displayed his toughness by taking big hits in the middle of the field to keep the chains moving, he also displayed extreme leadership in rallying his teammates to complete the offense.
And then there was that amazing catch in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. During that historical comeback in which the Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit, Edelman’s extreme focus to come down with a tipped pass while laying on two defenders showcased that scrappiness Tom Brady talked about. The man just never gives up on a play.
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That is the kind of motivation and determination the New England Patriots offense needs going into these playoffs. Counted out by most of the NFL, Julian Edelman is a prime reason why this year’s Patriots squad cannot be overlooked.
Just when you think they are too old; the playoff stage is where players like Tom Brady and Julian Edelman find their youth and regain their fight. Look for No. 11 to shine once again on the playoff stage.