No Edelman, no problem for Patriots
FOXBORO » Clutch receivers aren’t a dime a dozen, especially ones Tom Brady trusts when he absolutely needs to make a play.
It was rough when Julian Edelman was lost for the 2017 season, but there was still Danny Amendola to make those plays, not to mention Rob Gronkowski, his allworld tight end.
Now Amendola has fled to Miami as a free agent, and, according to a source, Edelman has been hit with a four-game PED suspension pending appeal.
It’s only four games, but the Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Dolphins won’t be easy by any stretch, especially with Brady shorthanded in the clutch receiver department. Those are four penetrating defenses, with good fronts that get to the quarterback. The Jaguars, second in the league in sacks last year, boast sack leader Calais Campbell. The other three also have their signature pass rushers, be it Houston’s Jadeveon Clowney and J. J. Watt, Detroit’s Ezekiel Ansah, or Miami’s Cameron Wake.
Not having a quick outlet guy to help avoid oncoming rushers, or a trusted chain mover like Edelman isn’t the best way to start the season.
So, does this mean it’s time to panic? Not necessarily. The Patri-
ots have always had a way of getting by. They managed when Brady served his four-game suspension in 2016, going 3-1 with Jimmy Garoppolo and Ja-
coby Brissett at the helm, then went on to win the Super Bowl.
They’ve already added a few players to the mix this offseason, and the receiver competition has been an interesting one. Newcomer Jordan Matthews, who can play in the slot, will likely win a job. We haven’t seen
much of sixth-round draft pick Braxton Berrios while he rehabs an injury, but he fits the profile. So does Riley McCarron, who was added last year. Both are Edelman clones and will be fighting for a roster spot.
There are also players who’ve been around a bit
who Brady trusts. Chris Hogan and the QB have established a nice chemistry. That type of rapport is also coming with speedy wideout Phillip Dorsett, and we’ll see if that happens with Kenny Britt, who arrived late last year, and newcomer Cordarrelle Patterson.