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Julian Edelman

 Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman retired earlier this week. He has received many well deserved tributes for his contributions to the latter stages of the Pats' dynasty. He was a smart, tough versatile player with a knack for the kind of plays that win football games. He was 6 for 6 in passes completed on end-arounds, for my favorite instance.

But over the course of the week, I haven't seen anyone yet mention what I believe is the most significant element of Edelman's retirement. He's did it not from choice, but because he had to. Edelman failed a physical. His knees don't work anymore.

That's the price Edelman paid for all those decisive clutch plays. More specifically, that's the price he paid for being the go-to slot receiver in the Tom Brady-Josh McDaniels offense, a position that guaranteed Edelman, like Wes Welker before him, would receive an inordinate number of vicious collisions with defenders while helpless or nearly so to defend himself.

Edelman thought the price was well worth it and I cannot criticize his choice. If human beings were wholly rational animals, nobody at all would play football. All I can do is hope that 10 years from now, knees that will likely need replacement are the worst side effect of Edelman's honorable, wildly dangerous career.

posted by Michael Gee @ 8:26 AM