Despite playing more cornerback than wide receiver a year ago, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman has yet to workout in the secondary during New England’s OTAs thus far, according to ESPN Boston. 

This is rather surprising considering that New England’s wide receiver corps is stacked with talent with new additions of Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Donte’ Stallworth, along with Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco and Matthew Slater. 

With that kind of talent and that number of bodies at one position, I would have expected to see Edelman workout at cornerback at least a little bit during OTAs. 

When asked about potentially moving to the defensive side of the ball, Edelman had this to say to a reporter on Thursday:

“You’d have to ask Coach (Belichick) on that. I’m pretty sure that’s his cup of tea.” 

Edelman enters 2012 with a ton of experience at multiple positions, including wide receiver and cornerback, as well as special teams as a return man. The 26-year-old has recorded 48 career receptions for 479 yards and one touchdowns while averaging 22.8 yards per-return on kickoffs and 12.4 yards per-return on punts. 

There is no reason why Edelman wont be on New England’s 53-man roster, as he’s the ultimate utility player. All in all, Edelman is a football player—he simply can play the game, and he can do several things well. He is exactly what head coach Bill Belichick wants in a player. 

• The team appeared to focus more on two overall themes today than what we saw last week: the running game and up-tempo offense. The offensive line and running backs worked on inside runs during the individual drills portion of the practice, and the entire offense congregated shortly thereafter for about 10 minutes of running plays. At this point of the offseason, it’s difficult to simulate the running game without pads, but operating against a scout team defense (made up of reserve offensive players) using hand shields seemed to give the offense a solid look. Up-tempo offense has been a staple in New England for many seasons, and it should come as no surprise that the team worked on it today.
• Watching offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia work in concert is a unique experience. Both hold their players to high standards, and each is attentive to details. During a period focused on the running game (which was led by the two), the offense was forced to re-run multiple plays from the top after the coaches called for better execution. It would appear that both will be heavily involved in the leading the running game this season, and the pair already seems to have its working chemistry back after McDaniels’ departure from New England early in 2009.
• A couple of individual position drill notes: Eric Kettani, who is viewed by some as a fullback and a running back by others, took handoffs during an inside running game drill. That could be a suggestion that he’ll see some more reps at running back during the preseason. Also during individual drills, a pair of running backs — Danny Woodheadand Shane Vereen — worked on routes with a quarterback. Woodhead is an established receiver out of the backfield, while Vereen may step into that role in his second season as a pro. He averaged nearly 25 catches per season in college.
• Not to make too much out of a single play, but receiver Donte’ Stallworth had a drop on a perfect pass to his chest during an offensive routes on air period. Again, no player’s fate will be decided by one play, but with such a competitive receiving group, easy drops and impressive catches are likely to be closely monitored.
• Perhaps in an effort to get some younger and less experienced players involved, the Patriots offense led off a 7 on 7 and the team period with a number of players who project to be second stringers on the field — including quarterback Brian Hoyer. Depth in the NFL is critically important, and the Patriots are likely counting on the development of many of their younger players this offseason.
• Sixth-round selection safety Nate Ebner was on the field today, a week after working with the Patriots medical staff while nursing a hamstring injury. Ebner was essentially only a special teams player in college, leading some to wonder how much of a defensive role he will adopt in the NFL. During a team drill period, Ebner opened his hips to the right side of the field and made a nice break on a deep throw, deflecting the pass intended for a streaking receiver.

Another look at Tom Brady’s “Wicked Boston Accent.” 

Here’s a link to ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss’ recent blog post on how the release of Anthony Gonzalez affects New England’s wide receiver corps. 

My favorite part in Tom Brady’s “Wicked Accent.” TB12 is just perfect <3. 

Tom Brady’s Wicked Accent…This is WICKED awesome. 

Have a #GRONKING Memorial Day! 

There’s no real debate that Tom Coughlin is one of the NFL’s top head coaches as he has now won two Super Bowls in four seasons while always having pressure on him—considering he coaches in the world’s largest sports market, New York City. 

Along with Coughlin, you have to immediately consider Bill Belichick and Mike McCarthy as prime candidates for the top head coach in the NFL.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the top five head coaches in the NFL entering 2012. 

5. Rex Ryan

Call me crazy, but I do believe in Rex Ryan and I think that he’s an elite head coach. 

Ever since landing the New York Jets head coaching job back in 2009, he has installed a winning environment with the Jets organization—something that has been lacking in recent memory. 

Ryan has yet to have a losing season in his three years with the Jets as he’s posted a 28-20 record while making the playoffs twice and advancing to the AFC Championship in his first season with the team.

Heading into 2012, Ryan has his work cut out for him considering the team’s lackluster finish to the 2011 season along with the storm of Tebow-mania hitting the Big Apple. His coaching skills will certainly be tested this upcoming season. 

4. Mike Tomlin

Being one of the youngest coaches in the NFL, Mike Tomlin is certainly one of the elite coaches in the game today. 

Tomlin has continued the winning tradition with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization as he’s posted a 55-25 record through five seasons with the Steelers while always contending for the playoffs.

In the playoffs, Tomlin has gone 5-3 and has advanced to the Super Bowl twice, winning once against the Arizona Cardinals back in Super Bowl XLIII. 

Tomlin is definitely a likable coach, and players certainly seem to love playing for him. Likely due to his young age, Tomlin can connect with the players at levels many coaches can’t.

3. Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy has quietly emerged as one of the NFL’s great head coaches.

McCarthy is one of the few head coaches that actually calls the offensive plays, and he’s certainly considered one of the best play-callers as the Green Bay Packers offense always seems to finish in the top five each and every season.

McCarthy has posted a 63-33 record through six seasons with the Packers while going 5-3 in the playoffs and winning Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Following the team’s disappointing one-and-done playoff performance after a dominating 15-1 regular season, I wouldn’t doubt seeing the Packers back in the Super Bowl next season. 

2. Tom Coughlin

You might find it hard to believe seeing Tom Coughlin as No. 2 rather than No. 1 entering 2012.

Yes, Coughlin has two Super Bowl rings as a head coach and both came against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, but Belichick still holds a slight edge in the rings category. 

You don’t have to be a mathematician to understand that three is always greater than two—but that is by no means a knock against Coughlin. I have never seen a coach withstand pressure like Coughlin has, but he always seems to prevail and find ways to win.

Through 16 years in the NFL, Coughlin has posted a 142-114 record while going 74-54 with the Giants and winning those two Super Bowls in the past four seasons.

1. Bill Belichick

Tom Coughlin is great, but Bill Belichick is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coach in NFL history. 

Forget about calling him the modern-day Vince Lombardi, Belichick is in a league of his own as he’s found ways to dominant in a long period of time while dealing with free agency. 

Each and every season with the New England Patriots, there are always new faces—whether they’re impact players or small role players. Belichick is consistently building on New England’s dynasty from the early 2000s. 

Belichick has been in the NFL as a head coach for 17 seasons while posting a 175-97 record and an amazing 139-53 record with New England. 

How dominant has Belichick been with the Patriots? He has posted at least 10 wins in each of the last nine seasons. Oh and by the way, in this year’s past Super Bowl run, New England had 18 undrafted free agents on the 53-man roster with eight being starters. That’s simply great coaching. There’s no way around it. 

Belichick is a three-time winning Super Bowl head coach and is the face of the NFL’s latest dynasty. You cannot take that away from him. 

GRONKING!!!!!!!!!!!

Just looking at the NFL head coach of the decade: Bill Belichick.