After Julian Edelman went down yesterday I went through a similar range of emotions as when Rob Gronkowski was writhing in pain on the field in Denver last season. You quickly run through all the stages of grief, accepting that Edelman was very possibly done for the year.
But then, just like Gronk, the news was actually better than expected. Then Edelman suddenly appeared at practice today, and though he wasn’t a full participant, it’s an incredibly good sign. Especially when I had already basically accepted I wouldn’t see him on a football field until the winter at the earliest, if not 2017.
The news wasn’t as great on Rob Ninkovich, but four-to-six weeks from early August is nothing. Just like the Jimmy Garoppolo experiment, Nink’s absence should ultimately be a good thing for the Patriots. They can develop Shea McClellin and Tre Flowers, while also giving looks to Geneo Grissom and Rufus Johnson.
Ninkovich is in the last year of his deal and is 32 years old. While I think he’ll return on a new deal next season, the end is coming, just like it is with Brady. Getting the chance to throw some young guys into the fire at this point will ultimately help the Pats in the long run.
Here are the tweets from Wednesday’s practice that stood out, and, oh yeah, THERE’S A GAME TOMORROW!!
Absent: Edelman, Ninkovich, Lewis, Ebner, BWilliams, Jackson, Cooper, Vollmer and Amenda
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 10, 2016
Yup, there’s no way Edelman would be back today, right?
My God, that’s Julian Edelman’s music! No. 11 is on the field.
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) August 10, 2016
What!?
Julian Edelman pic.twitter.com/2lkjl1l0Ke
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 10, 2016
Yesssss!
Edelman running routes with the rest of the receivers. Just planted hard off the surgically repaired foot in wet, sloppy conditions
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 10, 2016
Thank Hoodie!
This is a glorified walkthrough, which will be roughly the same speed that today’s media game will be played.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 10, 2016
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m hoping there’s some good pics from the media game. And if Ben Volin gets laid out I’m not complaining.
With Rob Ninkovich out, Shea McClellin got more reps with the starters today
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 10, 2016
So curious to see how McClellin looks at DE in this system. Still excited for Tre Flowers too.
The starting receivers with Brady today were Chris Hogan and Aaron Dobson
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 10, 2016
Interesting size here, not something we’re really used to. Dobson needs to start making plays again, he’s be quiet the last week or so, and that’s not good for someone so firmly planted on the bubble.
With Rob Ninkovich out of practice, Chris Long is one player who caught my eye in terms of some expanded reps.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 10, 2016
I think Chris Long is going to turn a lot of heads this season. He should play a bit more without Ninkovich, but I still think they want to mange his reps and get him fully healthy. Last year he was just rounding into form as he recovered from injury when he got hurt again. If he’s fully healthy, he’s still got a lot in tank.
Pats/Saints players hearing from former Scarlet Knight Eric LeGrand right after practice – the message includes getting thru adversity
— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) August 10, 2016
Good stuff.
The geniuses @PatsPropaganda immortalize best play in NFL history with the shirt it deserves #PinkStripes pic.twitter.com/of2LdPfT0W
— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton1) August 10, 2016
And finally thanks to Jerry for the shoutout. You can grab a Pink Stripes tee for yourself below…