FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It was the offseason after his rookie year in 2009 and receiver Julian Edelman was on a quest for quarterback Tom Brady's attention -- and trust. Edelman had his agents find him a spot near Manhattan Beach, California, close enough so Brady, his New England Patriots teammate, could call him when there was a throwing session.
Edelman knew Brady worked out in the Los Angeles area with Wes Welker and Randy Moss, and he wanted to join, viewing it as an indoctrination into the Brady circle of trust.
Brady called once that first offseason, and Edelman rushed to the field for the arduous workout.