Julian Edelman on Mac Jones, NFL Week 11 Preview, and Fyre Fest
The Patriots are officially back, and who better to witness the destruction of the Falcons with than the squirrel himself. Julian Edelman joined Big Cat and PFT Commenter in studio to watch Thursday Night Football, and it’s clear that the New England machine is humming. While the rest of the world is crowning Mac Jones, Julian Edelman is looking for something a little more gritty from the rookie.
I want to see Mac Jones face some adversity and struggle to see what kind of leader he is
I want to see him [Mac Jones] face some adversity, see how he does with that... I hope he doesn't [sprain his ankle], but you want to see the toughness of a guy. I want to see something go wrong. And I want to see the man he is in an adverse situation. That's when you see your best leaders.
Despite the desire for a little adversity, Julian Edelman admitted that Mac Jones is doing exactly what he needs to do to win. He explained the concept of playing "on time," which basically means the rookie isn't a statue; he's just processed the entire defense before you’ve even finished your beer.
Mac Jones plays 'on time' which is why he is a successful quarterback
He plays on time. Playing on time is like getting through your reads at the correct time... delivers a catchable football. His eyes are always in the right area. He's delivering the ball when he should deliver the ball... Those are 'playing on time' kind of moments.
The Belichick Way and Being a "Burner"
Julian Edelman dropped some absolute gems about life under Bill Belichick, specifically regarding the level of detail that goes into every single play. Apparently, even your equipment is a tactical decision. Julian Edelman shared that Bill Belichick would force players to change their glove colors based on the opponent's jersey just to hide holding penalties from the refs.
Bill Belichick makes players change their glove color to match the opponent's jersey to hide holding penalties
[Bill Belichick] would always try to get me to change the color of my glove for blocking in the run game. Because if we were playing a team that had white and the referee, he said, 'the ref could see her goddamn glove on the backside of him. He's going to call holding every time.' So he would literally make like young players, like, 'Hey, you're wearing white today because we're playing against the white team.'
Beyond the gear, Julian Edelman broke down what it actually means to be fast in the NFL. It’s not about the 40-time; it’s about the optics of the cleats. According to Julian Edelman, if you can pull off black cleats and still look like you’re flying, you’ve reached the pinnacle of NFL speed.
Players who wear black cleats and still look fast are the true 'burners' in the NFL
You always know a guy's a burner. If you see a guy wearing black cleats and he still looks fast. That's when those guys are like, they know they're fast. They wear black cleats. That's like a flex.
Defining Grit and Super Bowl Hopes
The conversation shifted to the rest of the league and what actually makes a team "tough." Big Cat and PFT Commenter have been debating soft teams all season, but Julian Edelman provided the Belichick-approved rubric for physical dominance. It’s not just about hitting people; it’s about the three phases of the game.
A truly tough football team can run the ball, stop the run, and cover kicks
This is what defines a tough football team. A physically tough football team, from what I was taught from some guy named Bill [Belichick], a tough football team can run the ball, can stop the run and can cover kicks. What teams do that the best? Baltimore, Patriots, Tennessee.
While the Patriots, Ravens, and Titans fit that mold, PFT Commenter was quick to point out a team that definitely doesn't. He’s officially out on the star-studded Rams, calling them the "S-word" after their recent skid.
The Rams are a soft football team
My other side of the coin, I will make you say it, but I'll say it, the Rams are soft. The Rams are soft football team right now. And part of it, I think has to do with bringing a bunch of guys in. That's always gotta be hard, right? When you add guys mid season.
Julian Edelman isn't ready to count out the Chiefs just yet, noting that Patrick Mahomes and company are starting to find their rhythm by playing smarter situational football.
The Chiefs are getting better because they are taking care of the football and playing more opportunistic defense
I think the chiefs are getting better. They're playing smarter football... the last couple of weeks, what have they been doing? They've been taking care of the football. Their defense has been very opportunistic and playing situationally very well on the third down... they're finding their way.
As for the big game in February, Julian Edelman is sticking to his guns. Despite some inconsistencies, he’s still looking at a potential clash between two elite quarterbacks in his Super Bowl prediction.
I am riding with a Bills vs. Packers Super Bowl prediction
[Super Bowl prediction] I said, Bills and Green Bay. I'm going to ride with the Bills. I mean, I got seen some things I got to start to see the offense needs to start getting it going.
Week 11 Preview and Picks
Moving into the Week 11 slate, Big Cat is leaning into the narrative for the Seahawks vs. Cardinals matchup. With Russell Wilson back and the era potentially sliding toward its end, he’s betting on Seattle to pull out a vintage performance.
The Seahawks will win this week because you don't lose an 'end of an era' game
The big thing with this game is it feels like everyone is writing off, not just the Seahawks but an era. So when you have an era ending, the Pete Carroll, the Russell Wilson era, I feels like you got to take the Seahawks because you don't lose end of an era games.
Meanwhile, PFT Commenter is looking at the Lions' quarterback situation and licking his chops. With Tim Boyle potentially under center, the Browns spread suddenly looks like the lock of the century.
I'm betting the Browns -11 over the Lions because Tim Boyle is starting at quarterback
I'm going to go with the system... I'm going to the Browns minus 11 over the [Lions]. Go ahead and, and, and stake my career on betting against Tim Boyle. If he is starting. Former Yukon, Husky, Tim Boyle... has 15 yards passing in his career. Yep. I'm going to go ahead and bet against Tim Boyle.
In the NFC, the spotlight is on Kansas City as they host the Cowboys. Big Cat thinks this is the game where we find out if Dallas is truly a title contender or just another regular-season darling.
If the Cowboys win in Kansas City, they are officially on 'Super Bowl Watch' times a billion
I'm just very excited for this week. Cause I feel like we're going to learn a lot from this week. Like the [Cowboys] go into Kansas City, they are on soupy. Soupy, watch times a billion.
Fantasy Jake Marsh and Fyre Fest
Fantasy Jake Marsh made its glorious debut, featuring the guys doing their best (and worst) impressions of our favorite office narc. The segment hit a high note with some "Score Gummy" talk and a deep hatred for the Lakers' new arena branding. Hank is taking it personally that the Staples Center name is being sacrificed to the crypto gods.
The name change from Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena is disgusting
My system is the Los Angeles Lakers. Oh, they've destroyed their brand by changing their iconic name, the staple center to the crypto center. It's just a terrible idea. And I just think that staple center was such a great and original name. And the fact that they changed it to a corporation is disgusting.
To wrap things up, Fyre Fest of the Week reminded us that aging is a brutal sport. While Hank dealt with some chiropractor-induced gas, PFT Commenter suffered the most "mid-30s" injury imaginable: dislocating his shoulder while literally doing nothing.
Sleeping is the most dangerous thing you can do once you hit your mid-30s
I actually think that sleeping is the most dangerous thing that we do once we hit our mid thirties. [In response to dislocating shoulder in sleep] I woke up and my shoulder was literally out of its socket and I had to pull it back into its socket.
Just remember to stretch before you go to bed tonight so you don't wake up in the IR like PFT.

