Julian Edelman: from Welker's 'mini-me' to 'Minitron'

Coming into the 2013 NFL season, the Patriots seemed to be short changed with receivers when Wes Welker left for the Denver Broncos. Considering that All-Star tightend Rob Gronkowski would be coming off injury and safety blanket pass-catcher Aaron Hernandez was incarcerated, Pats fans instilled their faith in the newcomer Danny Amendola. Amendola came into the Patriots offense and played really well, but has not been Tom Brady's go to guy.

Instead, it has been Julian Edelman who filled the void. The former quarterback who was drafted in the seventh round. The guy who was dubbed as Wes Welker's 'mini-me' for his similar style play as a slot receiver. The player who filled in on defense when the Pats were short on defensive backs. Edelman this season has earned the new nickname as 'Minitron', a play on Calvin Johnson's 'Megatron' nickname, because he has cemented himself as a featured receiver in this offense.

Coming into this season not many people predicted that Edelman would lead the team in receptions and reception yards, and nobody thought about him breaking 100 receptions and/or 1000 yards. He played in every game this season, a feature that has become so much more valuable considering the injuries to Gronk, Amendola, Shane Vereen, Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins. Edelman is now one of three Patriots to ever record over 100 catches in a season, joining legends Troy Brown and Wes Welker.

The final stat line for Edelman's 2013 season reads as follows; 105 catches, 1056 yards and 6 touchdowns, all career highs. He has certainly made his case for himself to remain a Patriot for a long time. Once looked at as a solid back up to Welker, #11 topped his former mentor in multiple significant stat categories this season including receptions and yards. All of Edelman's potential has become reality and the future seems bright for this young player. He was originally known to be a hard-nosed football player that simply bought into the Patriot way, but now Julian Edelman is so much more than that; he is their X-factor. He's Minitron.

Anthony Aidonidis
@aidonidis18
#Minitron