The New England Patriots Gone "Wild" Over Julian Edelman!

The 2008 season as we all know saw a career backup (Matt Cassel) since college take the New England Patriots to the brink of making the playoffs. 

During the season the Patriots defense was continuously victims of any variation of the wild-cat formation. This formation comes out of the shotgun formation. It gives the running backs the option of handing off, running, or throwing the football.  The defense didn't adjust till the week twelve game against Miami.

Last year the Patriots vaunted passing game was put on temporary hiatus while Tom Brady recovered from his season ending injury.  Josh McDaniel's was forced to play small ball with Matt Cassel. Cassel's inability to throw the deep ball accurately forced the offense to rely more and more on his slot receiver Wes Welker and tight end Ben Watson.

Teams as usual loaded up on Moss and even when he did get open the passes never got there. Cassel's passes lead Moss into the open field where he was susceptible to bone jarring hits.  Moss was not particularly happy about it and it showed in his play at times.

Because of this Wes Walker was often the recipient of Cassel's passes. He had a pro-bowl year and cemented his position as the best slot receiver in the game. How did Miami let this guy go?

That season also saw a revolving door of patchwork running backs.  Maroney was hurt as usual, his running mate Sammy Morris had injury concerns of his own also.  Kevin Faulk did an admirable job playing out of position of his customary role as a third-down back.

The offense was reduced to coin a phrase from John Madden "dinks and doinks." A far cry from the high powered offense that ran defenses ragged in 2007. 

All prognostications say that Brady will be ready for the season. Brady is your classic drop-back quarterback.  He can scramble when necessary but with a surgically repaired knee the Patriots would rather not see him do that.

New England has had very good success with the shotgun formation and the no-huddle offense.  There were times I would wander why Bill would go away from what had been successful. 

But as we say "In Bill we trust" because he has brought three Super Bowl championships to New England.

The "wild-cat" offense would be a perfect offense to complement Brady's skills and take advantage of Edelman's multiple skills.  This offense gives them a potent offensive set with a guard, an eligible tight-end, slot receiver on one side of the center, and a guard two tackles next to each other, another receiver and the quarterback on the other side.

Who are those players who will fit those positions? Imagine Tom Brady and Randy Moss on one side. Alex Smith the tight-end and Edelman at the slot. This will preserve Wes Walkers legs and body and gives the Pats offense another quarterback option out of the shotgun.

Given the Patriots penchant for positional flexibility Edelman fits.  Edelman has been successful as a quarterback, part-time punt returner and slot receiver.  He is an athlete with a very high football IQ.

Edelman understands coverages and has the ability to run throw and catch.  The Patriots have addressed two issue here.  With Edelman as I stated before will spell Welker and this will give them a more versatile player at the slot receiver position.

That gives the Patriots offense potential to give defenses fits. 

In fact, Randy Moss is so happy with the offensive capabilities of his team that he was quoted on ESPN as saying "The sky's the limit for this offense."