Belichick: Edelman has ground to make up

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Julian Edelman has been in all the meetings, has worked with the New England Patriots' trainers individually and has watched the practices. But he hasn't been on the field.

Edelman, who had a minor foot procedure earlier this offseason, was cleared to come off the active/physically unable to perform list Thursday, as announced by coach Bill Belichick.

While Belichick had Edelman as involved as possible during the process, the coach still thinks his only notable returning receiver from a season ago has plenty of work to do.

"I certainly don't think it puts him ahead," Belichick said Thursday, via ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss. "He has some ground to make up. We'll see how it goes."

Edelman, who re-signed with the team after becoming a free agent earlier this year, has a fair amount of value to the team. Despite totaling just 21 receptions last season, he's the only pass-catcher from a season ago not named Rob Gronkowski quarterback Tom Brady is familiar with.

In fact, among an inexperienced group, Edelman could very well be the No. 2 receiver behind free agent acquisition Danny Amendola at the start of the season.

The Patriots drafted a pair of wideouts in Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce in hopes that they'll be able to contribute immediately, but it could take some time for them to progress in Josh McDaniels' system.

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