Forget about the guy we all thought Julian Edelman was imitating seamlessly on Sunday afternoon in Houston, Wes Welker.
Edelman, who had 10 receptions for 103 yards, might be the second coming of future Hall of Famer and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
At worst, the similarities among the pair are striking.
First, there is a lifelong adoration with the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Joe Montana.
Then there are the ties to San Mateo, where Brady grew up and Edelman played junior college ball for one season.
Then there is elite production, particularly under duress, which was up there with the best quarterbacks in the country. Michigan won 20 of the 25 games Brady started, including both bowl appearances while Edelman led all quarterbacks in rushing yards as a senior at Kent State with 1,370 yards.
Then came the late phone calls from the New England Patriots, nine years apart, on the second day of the NFL Draft. Brady was chosen in the sixth round, 199th overall ,while Edelman was chosen in the seventh round, 232nd overall.
And because of injury to a couple of stars — Drew Bledose in 2001 and Welker on Sunday — their time has come much earlier than expected.
The stories about Brady having a chip on his shoulder after his disappointment on draft day are almost identical to those of Edelman.
By Bill Burt
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