Redwood City's Versatile Edelman Playing Defense in Super Bowl

INDIANAPOLIS – Pick a position, any position, and Julian Edelman will fill the void. A quarterback most of his life through college at Kent State, he finds himself in a unique situation as Super Bowl XLVI approaches.

Edelman will suit up as a defensive back, but will be ready to catch passes as a receiver, which he has done throughout  the year. He has become a versatile and accepting player with the Patriots.

Born in Redwood City, Calif, Edelman graduated from Woodside High where he was a strong passer, throwing for 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior in 2004. He rushed for another 964 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“It definitely helps that I was a quarterback,” he said. “Not to say that I have it all down, but the fact that I could breakdown coverage when I first got in the NFL, I knew coverage recognition and all of that stuff. I may not have been able to run a route when I first got in the NFL and all of that, but I could go in mid-route and see what the defense was giving us. That is the only part that has helped. Not to say that I am an All-Pro at it, but it has definitely helped.”

Being a defensive player in the NFL, let alone against a potent Giants receiving core that boasts a hot Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, is not for the faint of heart. But for the time being it’s for Edelman, who is just trying to live out every child’s dream.

“This is why you play the game,” he said, “and we have a great opportunity ahead of us.”

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he saw Edelman as an athlete at Kent State, where he showed a toughness and quickness that translates to an NFL style of play.

“He’s a smart hard-working guy,” Belichick said. “If you ask him to do something, he’ll work really hard to get it right and try to do it.”

Follow @ChrisVaccaro on Twitter for constant updates from Super Bowl XLVI.

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