Julian Edelman Wants to Prove Himself to Tom Brady

New England Patriots wide recevier Julian Edelman is out to redeem himself against the Chicago Bears in Week 8 of the 2014 NFL season after he dropped two passes in Week 7 against the New York Jets which would have widened the gap in favor of New England. The Patriots went on to beat the Jets, 27-25, to boost their record to 5-2.

Julian Edelman wants to prove himself to Tom Brady. 

According to Boston radio station WEEI 93.7, Edelman dropped two passes from Brady during the Pats’ 27-25 win over the New York Jets in Week 7. Edelman said he wants his quarterback to see how good he can really be:

“The Patriots played four games in 18 days and it appeared to take a toll as they struggled in Thursday’s two-point win over the lowly Jets. 

“‘When you go out and it’s a short week like that it’s all mental, it’s all like walk-through stuff,’ Edelman said. ‘It’s tough for both teams. As athletes we’re creatures of habit. You throw a wrench in a routine it’s a little different. But we both had to deal with it. We came out with a win, and now you do get to have a long weekend.’

“The normally reliable Edelman had a couple costly dropped passes in Thursday’s game. Although he’s having his second straight strong season, Edelman said he wants to prove himself to Tom Brady.

“‘I definitely have to go in there and I’ve got to show him in practice that I (cannot) drop easy balls, or try to run with the ball before I have it,’ Edelman said. ‘I’m sure that he’ll come back, because that’s how he is. He’s going to throw to the open guy. It’s definitely a different situation (than in past years), but I definitely have to eliminate that immediately and go back to the drawing boards and catch more balls and work on it.’

“After a slow start, the Patriots offense has picked it up, due in no small part to the play of Edelman. ‘That’s what we’re trying to do. There’s a lot of situations that we have to get better at. But we consistenly put in the work. Guys are going out there, they’re working hard, they’re making plays in practice and it’s translating into games. It’s going to help the team. As long as we can just keep it going, keep getting better, everyone contributing, everyone doing their job, that’s how it goes.’

“The Bears reportedly had some issues in the locker room following Sunday’s loss to the Dolpins that dropped Chicago to 0-3. Edelman said he expected an emotional team next Sunday in Foxboro.

“‘Chicago, they’re a good team, they’ve got a lot of weapons,’ Edelman said. ‘Their defense is kind of that old-school Bears defense, where they’re going to do a lot of zone, possibly this, that. You always expect a team’s best when they come in and they play us, especially at home. And after last week, what they had to go through, they’re going to be fired up, that’s going to probably bring them together. It’s going to be the ‘my bad’ in there this week — ‘That was my bad.’ And then everyone’s going to kind of get together, and they’re going to try to fight. So we definitely have to take this in and we have to go out and practice and do our jobs.'”

You gotta respect @Edelman11 for stepping up and becoming a leader for @Patriots #PatriotsNation pic.twitter.com/ISvJ9PnUUc— BOSTON™ (@BoucherMitch) October 20, 2014

For his part, Brady told WEEI (via NESN.com’s Darren Hartwell) he feels the Bears will go all out in spite of the postgame locker room blowups on Sunday:

“So how will Sunday’s turmoil affect Chicago against the Patriots next weekend? According to quarterback Tom Brady, not at all.

“‘Every team is going through different things. It’s tough when you’re losing,’ Brady said during a radio appearance on WEEI on Monday…They haven’t been able to play well at home, but they’re still a good team. They’ve still won a lot of games this year, so they’re winning them on the road. Maybe we wished them (in Chicago)…We’ll get their best. We always seem to get everybody’s best. It’s just the way it is, playing here.’

“Brady does have a point, as the Bears are 3-1 on the road this year. Brady’s favorite target, wide receiver Julian Edelman, added that Chicago’s locker room turmoil could even have a galvanizing effect on the team as it looks to right the ship.” 

Edelman, who is in his sixth NFL season (all with the Patriots), shared his pregame routine with NESN.com’s Doug Kyed on Oct. 10:

“Edelman’s dedication is on display every Sunday, when he’s the first Patriot on the game field. Edelman goes through a routine with a team assistant, practicing one-handed, shoestring and over-the-shoulder catches — more than three hours before kickoff. 

“‘I never like to be rushed. I like to be able to get in, go through a routine, sit in your hot tub, go over your plays, little reminders and all that kind of stuff,’ Edelman told NESN.com in the Patriots’ locker room. ‘Kind of just get ready for the game.’ 

“Edelman never strays from his pregame routine, which also includes firing out of the Patriots’ giant inflatable helmet as Ozzy Ozbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’ blares over the stadium P.A. during pregame and running 100 yards down the field with a fist-pump exclamation point as he arrives at the opposite end zone. 

“‘I always used to see guys at Niners games do that,’ the Bay Area native, with a San Francisco Giants hat in his locker, said. ‘Jerry Rice used to hype up the crowd.’ 

“Ever the perfect Patriot, Edelman never likes to talk himself up too much. After 100-yard games, he still has to work on his blocking. When discussing his influence on teammates, he critiques his own body language (‘Sometimes you gotta be able to control that a little better, and I’d be the first to say that.’).”

Edelman has caught for 2,223 yards and 11 touchdowns on 218 receptions in 71 career regular-season games with the Patriots, per ESPN stats.