I watched the “Mic’d Up” version of Superbowl 51 and noticed some really cool moments…
All three of the white Patriot WR’s (Edelman, Hogan, Amendola) came together, shook hands, and smashed helmets only seconds before starting the legendary overtime drive to win the title…
Something else I noticed was the great leadership of Julian Edelman. The entire game, he exuded sheer positivity, constantly reinforcing the fact that the Pats would win, despite the grimmest of odds.
In fact, after the Pats emerged from the halftime break, while sitting next to Brady on the bench, he kept repeating the words:
“it’s gunna be one hell of a story” [when they come back and win SB 51]. Brady responds:
“hell yeah.”
Then, right before the famous OT drive, Edelman says to Brady:
“Let’s go win this thing for your mom, bro.”
After they won, Edelman screamed out to Brady:
“What did I say at halftime?! It’s gunna be one hell of a story!”
Belichick had a semi-human moment when he hugged Edelman after the game and said:
“Oh my god, they counted us out 20 times!” Edelman responds:
“Gotta believe, coach.” And Belichick says:
“Oh, hell yeah!”
For many years, we all talked about the greatness of Wes Welker and how much his stellar contributions opened doors for other white WR’s since his “breakout” campaign in 2007. Edelman is constantly compared to Wes, despite the fact that their physiques, measurables, off-field, and on-field personalities differ immensely.
Wes was a less serious guy, a “prankster” in the locker room who frequently joked around with the media and never got into scuffles, “talked trash” to opponents on the field, or gave fiery “pep talks” on the sideline. Welker and Belichick didn’t get along at times and their clash of personalities was well-documented.
Edelman might be the exact opposite. He’s highly serious during games, endlessly cheerleading and supporting his teammates on the sideline, fighting viciously with opponents (verbally and physically), and seems to have supreme respect for Belichick.
I never thought a white Patriot WR would be more important to the cause of fighting the Caste System than Wes Welker…but Edelman seems to have eclipsed Wes with his stellar performances in Superbowl 49 and Superbowl 51. Unfortunately, Welker is remembered for his “drop” against the Giants in Superbowl 46, and Edelman is remembered for his game-winning TD in SB 49 and his amazing catch in SB 51…
For 2017, the 3 white WRs are all under contract and Gronkowski will hopefully return to greatness. RT Sebastian Vollmer should be back, too. In fact, I believe the only white players on the entire roster that are currently free agents are FB James Develin and DE/SJW, Chris Long. As for the black players, I'd love to see LeGarrette Blount, Martellus Bennett, and sumo OT Cameron Flemming leave via free agency this off-season. In the draft, I'd love to see the Pats add a white OT. As for McCaffrey, who experts universally believe the Pats will select in their "mock draft," I hope he goes elsewhere. The Colts would be a great landing spot.
