New England Patriots
“I think this is going to be an awesome addition for them,” Edelman said.
Julian Edelman Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images for Stagwell
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The Patriots have needed a No. 1 receiver for a long time, and they addressed that issue on Monday by trading for A.J. Brown.
Stefon Diggs and Julian Edelman are the only two Patriots receivers with 1,000 yard seasons since 2018.
Edelman praised the move during a recent appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,, saying that Brown’s presence will take some pressure off of the Patriots’ other receivers.
“I think this is going to be an awesome addition for them,” Edelman said. “By no means am I calling him Randy [Moss], I think they’re different types of players. But, when you get a guy like A.J. Brown everybody’s job becomes easier in that room.”
When asked about the impact the addition of a No. 1 receiver can have on a receiver room, Edelman recalled his experience of being teammates with Moss when the two overlapped at the beginning of Edelman’s career.
“With Randy specifically, everyone just straightens up,” Edelman said. “Like, when you’re a young player and you sit in that meeting, Randy didn’t have to say anything.”
“You almost didn’t want to let him down because you saw how his practice was, you saw the examples that he was giving. Any time that you had an example as a young football player, if the coaches put you on coaching tape, you would look over at Randy because you wanted his approval.”
Moss had three of his four first-team All-Pro selections under his belt by the time the Patriots traded for him in 2007. Brown has six 1,000-yard seasons and three Pro Bowl in seven years along with a Super Bowl ring, but has yet to make First-Team All-Pro.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels highlighted Brown’s strength, explosiveness, and competitiveness while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
“Randy was coiled and fast and all the rest of it,” McDaniels said. “I think they’re all a little different and when I say they, I’ve been fortunate to have been around some good ones.”
“I’m not sure if I’ve been around one just like [Brown],” McDaniels said. “Maybe the closest I’ve seen was Gronk. This is a big guy, looking forward to seeing how we can acclimate him and fit him into our system.”
Patriots receivers coach Todd Downing was the Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2021, which was Brown’s final season in Tennessee.
“I think he has grown in a lot of areas, but physically and mentally,” Downing said.” You can see his understanding of the game continues to improve. I think the way he sets up different releases and moves has improved.”
“Obviously, he’s a big, physical and strong receiver, but he’s done a really good job of working at the top of the route, the catch point. It’s cool to see him continue to grow … I anticipate him staying hungry to keep improving.”
The Patriots sent a 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Brown. Brown did not get into specifics about his Eagles exit during his press conference on Tuesday.
Brown focused on his excitement around joining the Patriots.
“This ain’t heaven, but it’s close to it,” Brown said of his first practice in Foxborough.
Edelman didn’t seem too concerned when asked whether bringing in a player of Brown’s caliber could cause some of the other receivers to get lost in the offense.
“I was always on teams that were mentally tough enough to do what was best for the team. As long as we were winning and we had the opportunity to win and the guy you’re bringing in the room gives you an opportunity to win every single week, guys swallow their pride, at least where I was.
“You can get lost in the sauce, but if you get lost in the sauce and you’re playing in a second Super Bowl in two years or three years I think you’ll be alright.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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