For the most part, Patriots haters have backed off the “they’re only good because they cheat” and “it’s just because of the AFC East” takes. Similarly, many have accepted New England quarterback Tom Brady is the greatest signal-caller in NFL history.
Consequently, those who hate the league’s model franchise have shifted their focus toward a new target: Julian Edelman.
The 33-year-old receiver is one of the most clutch, consistent and productive wideouts in the game. He also is one of the toughest players in the NFL, regardless of position. Sure, he benefits from playing with Brady every week, but those who watch the Patriots offense on a regular basis know Edelman is the straw that stirs the drink.
Alas, many refuse to give Edelman his due. Be it his size, appearance or lack of jaw-dropping, speed-generated highlights, Edelman never is appreciated for what he is: one of the best receivers in the NFL.
Exhibit A: This tweet from Andrew Perloff of the “Dan Patrick Show,” along with the ensuing replies.
On a neutral team w/ a neutral QB, how many WRs would you take over Julian Edelman?
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) October 11, 2019
Yeah, you know where this is going.
Take a look:
Off the top of my head:
Julio
Hopkins
OBJ
Golloday
Lockett
Alshon
Thielen
Kupp
Evans
Godwin
Mike Thomas
Cooper
Adams
Allen Robinson
Tyreek Hill
Jarvis Landry
DJax
Sanders
Sutton
Cooks
AllenProbably missed some too
— Vinny Calabrese (@VinnyCal) October 11, 2019
Julian Edelman is the Matt Cassel of WRs
— carpejagdom (@carpefuturum) October 11, 2019
Just off the top of my head, 18
— Thom Weaver (@thomweaver24) October 11, 2019
Hop
Evans
Julio
OBJ
Kupp
AJ
Tyreek
Gordon
Cooper
JuJu
Theilen
D. Adams
Hilton
Sanders
Keenan Allen
Fitzgerald
Antonio
Landry— Big Poppa (@RonWeez) October 11, 2019
at least 46
— Patrick Houston (@h_buck) October 11, 2019
— H-Town Dave (@david_sendtweet) October 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/AKiekow/status/1182871846582214657
OBJ
AJ GREEN
Hopkins
Mike Evans
Michael Thomas
Juju
Tyreek hill
Jarvis Landry
Davante Adams
Amari
Sammy Watkins
Golden Tate
Julio
Calvin Ridley
Mohammed Sanu
Adam Theilen
Kooper Kupp
Robert Woods
Brandon Cooks
Will Fuller
Stefon Diggs
Desean JacksonWasn’t done either
— Mike Sams (@MikeSams2_6) October 11, 2019
Quite a few actually. But with Brady and on that team hes a perfect fit. That's football in a nutshell. Gms trying to match up entire teams that fit so they can win.
— GPinTN (@GPinTN1) October 11, 2019
40
— Chris Hill (@beavo1024) October 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Orange23678/status/1182676846967574529
https://twitter.com/5280_AF/status/1182712721034235904
Just some non obvious ones. Hilton, Diggs, Corey Davis, Sutton, E. Sanders, Godwin, Lockett and so many more.
— DGo81 (@DGo81) October 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/scottsge187/status/1182663244147810304
Only advantage Edelman has over every other receiver is when he cries for a pi they give it to him.
— Mugnat (@mugnat) October 11, 2019
Yeah, there really are people who believe Corey Davis and Sammy Watkins (lol) are better than Julian Edelman.
This tweet perhaps sums it up best:
https://twitter.com/flashradical/status/1183147490905939973
For the record, Edelman has 125 catches for 1,132 yards in the last 13 games. That includes the playoffs and something called the Super Bowl.
