Listed as a wide receiver, Edelman returned a punch for a touchdown and played defense for the Patriots Monday.
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman celebrates his 72-yard punt return for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Foxborough, Mass., Monday Nov. 21, 2011.FOXBOROUGH – "Whatever the team needs" is probably the most commonly uttered phrase in any locker room or clubhouse in sports, grumbled so often that it no long carries any meaning.
But when the New England Patriots Julian Edelman utters those words, they actually mean something.
Whether its wide receiver, cornerback or special teams, he'll strap up his helment and gladly take on any task. No job is too small.
"I'll do whatever I can to help the team," Edelman said. "We were a little thing, and I'm not going to say no to an opportunity."
During Monday's 34-3 win over the Chiefs, he made the most of each one.
He returned two punts for 81 yards – including one for a 72-yard touchdown with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter that put New England up 24-3 – and served as a nickel back in the Patriots' third-down set.
After the game, coach Bill Belichick said that he felt the team was close to breaking a big play on special teams the past few weeks and they got the right blocking to make it happen on Edelman's return.
As soon as he hit the corner, Edelman said he knew he was gone.
"I took a look at the Jumbotron to see behind," Edelman said. "Once we hit the crease and was around the corner I had a feeling."
The transition on defense hasn't been as seamless. He picked up a holding call on Kansas City tight end Bernard Pope and recorded a tackle on the next play, but he's still trying to figure out his assignments.
That's required a high level of help from some of the other defensive backs on the team, particularly James Ihedigbo, who have had to show him where to line up and tell him what to look for.
"There's no excuse for having blown coverage in the secondary, that falls on my shoulders," Ihedigbo said. "We got to have extra communication when he comes in, being an offensive guy and we use him on defense. His athleticism is great for us, but sometimes you have to give him some pointers – what routes to expect, what kind of leverage to have, and go out there to make plays like he did."
For the most part, though, Edelman is starting to settle in thanks to that help.
"We've practiced the scheme, we've practiced everything and walked through it. We practiced it hard," he said. "In those meetings, the coaches help us get in the right areas and make things more familiar. Jerod Mayo (is) out there helping me out, all the guys (are) helping me out – Phillip Adams, Kyle Arrington, Antwaun Molden, (Ihedigbo) – they're all out there helping out. It was definitely a team effort getting me out there."