Julian Edelman would do anything to improve his chemistry with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, and that includes packing up and moving to the City of Angels.
Edelman told NFL.com that he moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to be closer to his quarterback. That way, when Brady needed to practice, Edelman would always be around.
“I moved out to Los Angeles my second year ’cause that’s where Tommy is,” Edelman told Mark Kriegel. “I was in his back pocket if he ever needed anyone to throw to. I’d be there, I’d leave anything, a workout or if I was out with my buddies if Tom called.”
It obviously worked, even if it took a while. “Minitron,” as Brady calls him, caught 105 passes for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns this season. He was the team’s leading receiver Saturday in New England’s 43-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional round with six catches for 84 yards.
“If you can get him comfortable, and if you can have him know your running mechanics and see how you run the route, it’s gonna help you,” Edelman said of his quarterback.
It’s not easy to gain trust from Brady, as some of the Patriots’ rookie receivers have learned this season. But when a receiver finally earns the future Hall of Famer’s confidence, it pays off. For Edelman, it will literally pay off this offseason — the receiver is a free agent in 2014.
Have a question for Doug Kyed? Send it to him via Twitter at @DougKyedNESN or send it here.
