Bill Belichick compares Julian Edelman's career path to Tedy Bruschi's
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| Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports |
Per Erik Frenz of The Boston Globe:
"I think Julian's career compares to players like Tedy Bruschi, who played one position in college that was — I would say — pretty unrelated to the position that he played professionally," Belichick said on a conference call on Saturday. "Tedy went from a defensive tackle always in a three-point stance, never in coverage, to playing on his feet, playing middle linebacker, and playing a majority of the game in coverage. Julian was a quarterback that never returned kicks, and now, can return punts and plays receiver."
Belichick went on to praise Edelman, saying that he has developed skills that has turned him into the player he is today, which, Belichick says, is very tough to do.
"Julian's worked extremely hard. I would say he's developed skills in two areas — punt return and receiver — that he didn't have any experience at," Belichick said. "That's not an easy thing to do at all. You've got to give a lot of credit to the amount of work and dedication and training that he's put into that."
During his first couple of years with the Patriots, Edelman saw a lot of time on special teams, mostly as a punt returner. He'd catch an occasional pass, but he was monstrously overshadowed by Wes Welker. Then came the 2012-13 season, when Edelman was being used more than Welker and many wondered in Welker was being phased out of the offense.
Given the Patriots decision to let Welker walk, and now with the role Edelman has had on the team since, it seems like that would be a fair assumption.
Edelman figures to have a huge year again, as he did last season.
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