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Examining the Welker-Edelman dilemma – AFC East Blog – ESPN

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Examining the Welker-Edelman dilemma – AFC East Blog – ESPN

Biggest mystery of the offseason is how this works out, I think Edelman is a no-brainer regardless of Welker.

Welker, 31, played on a one-year franchise tag of $9.5 million in 2012. The Patriots are unlikely to do that again with the franchise tag jumping to $11.4 million for Welker in 2013. It appears to be long-term extension or bust for the Patriots and Welker this offseason. Meanwhile, New England has been high on the unproven Edelman, 26. He ended last season on injured reserve with a foot injury and will be much cheaper to re-sign than Welker. The Patriots rotated Edelman and Welker early in the season to see how Edelman fits in the offense. That was the first sign that New England was thinking about life without Welker after this season. Edelman had 21 receptions and is a beast on special teams.

Lot of Ed Reed-to-the-Patriots rumors swirling lately. If Reed eventually end up in Foxboro, I could see the Patriots letting Talib walk ang going with a CB group of Dennard, Dowling, a high draft pick and Arrington / M. Cole. The thinking here would be that D-Mac, Reed and Gregory in the back end would strenghten enough the secondary and make up for the loss of Talib. Your thoughts Mike?

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There’d certainly be riots in the streets of some Patriots fans if that happened, but I don’t think it’s out of the question. I’m not sure Reed gets out of Baltimore, we’ll see how the Super Bowl impacts that, but if he does I am positive the Patriots at least make the call to him.

Belichick is always willing to take a shot on a specially talented player no matter his age or off-the-field situation. I believe that he really relishes the chance to coach a special player he respects, and he respects no one more than Ed Reed.

Brian Cox, Rodney Harrison, Doug Flutie, John Lynch, Chad Johnson, and Albert Hayensworth all represent players who were special earlier in their career that Belichick brought aboard later. Some worked out, most didn’t. But he’s always willing to give them a shot.

So I have no doubt the Patriots would be interested in Reed, but does he get away from Baltimore and could the Patriots figure out the financial element of it? That remains to be seen.

But if they did get him I think it would improve the pass defense regardless of who is at cornerback. It starts up front, and they need to add some pass rushers, as they’ve already started doing. If they can lock down the back end as well I don’t really care too much who our corners are.

But I’d agree in that scenario they’d need to add a high round cornerback in the draft and at least a couple more in Free Agency.

One scout’s priority list for Patriots: Wide receiver, safety and pass rusher – WEEI | Christopher Price

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One scout’s priority list for Patriots: Wide receiver, safety and pass rusher – WEEI | Christopher Price

Good read, and no I’m not the scout despite them saying exactly what I’ve been laying out as the Pats needs for the offseason.

“Wide receiver: The Patriots need to add a vertical speed player with some size to the offense. Rob Gronkowski stretches the seams, and they are efficient running the ball, as well as with their horizontal passing attack. People try to get hands on their hands on wide receivers, and bracket inside options. If Gronk and Hernandez are on the field at the same time, they put stress on the defense – but not as much vertically. The Patriots do have fast wide receivers, but they are small, and require Brady to be more accurate on his deeper throws. And because of their size, they aren’t consistent vertical threats. What they need is a wide receiver who is a vertical threat, but is also big enough to be physical in press coverage.”

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