FOXBORO, Mass. — Second-year wide receiver Julian Edelman has never played a down alongside Deion Branch, but the younger wideout knows all about the Super Bowl MVP.
Always studious, Edelman broke down a truckload of tape last offseason, and Branch was one of his subjects. Edelman, a college quarterback who was trying to master a new position, studied game film of a number of wide receivers, but he paid especially close attention to players who have had success working with Tom Brady.
Edelman requested the Branch tape from the New England coaching staff, which also helped him out with film on other guys like Troy Brown, David Patten, Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Now, Edelman is excited to work alongside Branch, who debuted at practice Tuesday.
"[Branch] is a phenomenal playmaker and a guy you strive to try to be like. He's going to be awesome to have here," Edelman said. "Tom had a great chemistry with him, so that’s the reason I watched him.
"I'm excited. He's been here when they've won Super Bowls, and I'm going to be able to learn from another guy, another veteran, and I'm happy to have him."
The reaction to the Branch acquisition in the Patriots' locker room was overwhelmingly positive, which contrasted the confused and shocked state of the team after last week's trade of Randy Moss.
Brady, whose locker is adjacent to Branch's new spot, had a little extra bounce in his step Tuesday as he walked through the room before practice. Brady is one of just eight players on New England's current active roster who were in New England during Branch's last game in 2005, so there are only a few first-hand memories, but they were obviously positive.
"I'm excited," Pats center Dan Koppen said. "Deion is a good player, a good guy, a good guy to have in the locker room, and another guy to throw the ball to. To have him back, it feels good.
"He's just a good player. He made a lot of plays for us in some big-time games. You want those type of players on your team — a good guy to have around, a good friend."
