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Julian Edelman On Gresh & Zo: 'I Knew I Was Coming Back'

BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots are in full offseason mode, stuck waiting for the draft and OTAs to start. The players are gearing up and training to get going once training camp comes around.

Pats wide receiver Julian Edelman, who signed a four-year, $19 million contract with the team in the offseason, joined Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak on Thursday to talk about his foray into free agency, his 100-catch season and more.

Edelman didn't initially get his four-year deal with the Patriots. Rather, he preferred to take his time in free agency, which even resulted in a visit west with the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite that, Edelman knew he wanted to be with the Patriots.

"I knew I was coming back," Julian Edelman said. "It was a crazy process. With all that said, it's just great to be back. New England is home to me."

After years of battling injuries and flashing potential as a wide receiver, Edelman finally broke out in 2013, playing in all 16 games and recording over 100 catches. Even with the accomplishment, Edelman was always focused on winning.

"During the year, you've got such a grind," Edelman said. "Every game is so valuable. Things are happening and once you're preparing, you're not thinking about all that stuff. You're trying to figure out how to win ball games and contribute to the team, the unit. Do you your job. Afterwards, you look back on [100+ catches] and it was cool and everything, but we missed a game. We didn't get to play in the last game.

"It would have been cool if I had 100 balls and we won a Super Bowl or done something like that. Now I have that in the back of my head that we didn't go out and we didn't finish the season. We didn't play in the last game and that's what I'm going to do this offseason, just try to work hard and put my foot forward to get through OTAs right now."

Edelman has been used a wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner during his career with the Patriots. The California native is willing to do whatever the coaches ask him to do.

"I'll just do what the coaches ask me to do. I'm going to go out there and throw the ball if they ask me to throw the ball. I'll go out there and play inside, outside. Just do whatever it takes to win."

Listen below for the full interview, including his involvement with Best Buddies and what you can do to help, plus his prediction for the Bruins-Red Wings series!

Julian Edelman Interview

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