Julian Edelman has made peace with the fact he won't be playing football for the first four weeks of the regular season.
It won't stop the veteran Patriots receiver from preparing like he will be on the field.
Edelman made several rounds of apologies to his team and fans following the four-game suspension handed down by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance enhancers. Now he says he plans to use what's left of training camp to make sure his surgically repaired knee will be ready when he is able to return. The 32-year-old receiver missed the entire 2017 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.
Working his way back has been a slow process that's just beginning to pick up.
"It's been a grind
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Edelman will miss a home game against Houston, trips to Jacksonville and Detroit, plus a home game against Miami.
He will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 1, enabling him to make his 2018 debut Oct. 4 against Indianapolis.
Part of the urgency for Edelman is fueled by changes the receiving corps has undergone since the end of last season. It will certainly have a fresh look to it when the season opens thanks to Edelman's suspension, the free agency departure of stalwart Danny Amendola and trade of Brandin Cooks to the Rams.
That is compounded even more with the uncertainty surrounding the status of Malcolm Mitchell, who has yet to participate in a full practice after spending last season on injured reserve (knee).
It's left openings for someone to earn playing time, and the list of candidates is long.
Among those in camp looking to make the roster are Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt, Cordarrelle Patterson and Braxton Berrios. Free agent Eric Decker signed with the team Friday following the release of Jordan Matthews earlier in the week.
Edelman said he is encouraged by the work so far from the group. He was particularly high on Patterson
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"He's a great guy to be around," Edelman said. "He works hard, he's very athletic, and he definitely helps push the unit, so I'm happy we got him. He's going to contribute in a whole different other way. He's very versatile, and just from his track record I'm glad we have him."
Coach Bill Belichick also has been complimentary of the work Patterson has put in during camp.
"He has skills in offense and the kicking game in a number of different areas, return skills, coverage skills, blocking skills, catching skills
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NOTES: Friday marked Tom Brady's 41st birthday and the team gave him a celebration on par with the one for his 40th.
There was a balloon figure version of Brady and a giant No. 12 cake. There were also birthday cards set up outside the practice field entrance for fans to sign. Fans serenaded the 19-year veteran with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" after he took the field.
His teammates also got in on the act. Following practice, they got together to sing to the reigning MVP. And in a video posted on the team's official Twitter account, safety Duron Harmon proclaimed Friday a national holiday called, "G.O.A.T. Day."
Tight end Rob Gronkowski said he continues to marvel at Brady's longevity
"It's just unreal. It's remarkable," Gronkowski said. "You just learn from him and you want to get taught from him. You want to be on the same chemistry out on the field because he knows where you need to be. He knows talent around him, he knows guys around him, he's seen talent from the last 15 (or) 20 years on."
Upon passing a physical and signing his three-year NHL contract, Casey Mittelstadt’s first order of business as a member of the Buffalo Sabres proved to be a perk on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old was invited out for lunch with Sabres star Jack Eichel.
”It’s definitely something pretty cool for a kid like me,” Mittelstadt said. ”It’s good to know he’s excited I’m here and he’s interested in getting to know me.”
If the 21-year-old Eichel is the undisputed face of the Sabres
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Mittelstadt is scheduled to join the Sabres for practice on Wednesday and expected to make his NHL debut the following day, when Buffalo hosts the Detroit Red Wings in a game between two teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
The Sabres have six games left, and are in jeopardy of finishing last in the overall standings for the third time in five years.
Mittelstadt was mostly unfamiliar with the Sabres’ past woes while growing up a Wild fan in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Over the past year, he’s become more familiar with the focus being placed on the team’s youngsters to restore winning to a team that’s not made the playoffs in seven years.
”I think I can feel the struggle a little bit,” Mittelstadt said. ”And obviously, there’s a big emphasis being put on the young guys to turn it around here.”
Mittelstadt had 11 goals and 19 assists in 34 games and was selected to the Big Ten all-freshmen team this year.
The Golden Gophers’ season ended last week, when they were on the wrong end of numerous scenarios in being eliminated from competing in the NCAA Tournament.
Mittelstadt took a few days to weigh his options before electing to turn pro last weekend. He said Minnesota coach Don Lucia’s decision to step down after 19 seasons had little influence on his decision.
”I wanted to make sure the decision I came to that I’m both feet in,” he said. ”And it came up over and over again that both my feet were into go pro.”
Buffalo has become a familiar setting for Mittelstadt. He attended the NHL pre-draft rookie combine in the city last spring.
He made yet a bigger splash in representing the bronze-medal-winning United States team at the World Junior hockey championship
Adidas Dustin Brown Jersey , which was held in Buffalo three months ago. Mittelstadt was selected as the 10-nation tournament’s MVP after finishing tied for first in scoring with 11 points (four goals, seven assists).
The inkling of one day playing for the Sabres in the same arena briefly crossed Mittelstadt’s mind during the world juniors, though he was more focused on representing the U.S. and returning to Minnesota.
”Obviously, things didn’t turn out the way we wanted them to this year,” Mittelstadt said of the Gophers’ season ending.
”But when the time came and I had some time to sit down and think and talk with my family, I think this was the right decision.”
By adding Mittelstadt, the Sabres demoted forward Justin Bailey to Rochester.
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