Pressed by a TV reporter in a terse exchange about Edelman’s future as a Patriot and whether there was a discipline issue on the team - given that the arrest came a week after tight end Rob Gronkowski posed for a picture with an adult film actress - Belichick replied, “I don’t have anything to add to that.’’
“Nothing at all?’’
“That’s correct,’’ the coach replied.
Asked if he had talked to Edelman, Belichick answered, “Yeah, of course.’’
“Are you satisfied with that?’’
“I don’t have any comment,’’ the coach said. “Those conversations are private between myself and the player, like all other ones we have.’’
Asked if he was disappointed in Edelman, Belichick said, “Right now, I’m getting ready for the Giants. That’s what our football team is here for - to get ready for the Giants. Big game on Sunday.’’
Belichick did not say whether Edelman, who was inactive for the Patriots’ 25-17 loss last Sunday at Pittsburgh, would be available against the Giants.
“We’ll play the best players that we can for the game, like we always do,’’ he said.
Asked to explain how personnel decisions are made with a player on the field when something happens to him off the field, Belichick said, “I think you look at each situation individually and make your decisions based on whatever all the information that you have is, whatever that is. Everyone is different, obviously.’’
Edelman was released on personal recognizance following his arraignment, and is scheduled to return to court in January.
Don Yee, Edelman’s agent, issued a statement Tuesday, saying, “The charges will be fought vigorously within the court system, instead of a rush to judgment elsewhere. We have no further comment beyond that.’’
Patriots owner Robert Kraft made a surprise visit to practice yesterday, followed by NBC’s Lester Holt and a film crew. He walked around and shook hands with several players, though he wasn’t spotted with Edelman during the limited media-access portion of practice.
