The more time passes, the more we're starting to learn that there is no cloak-and-dagger conspiracy going on at the slot receiver position. In the Patriots' minds, Julian Edelman has simply earned the right to get more chances than Wes Welker in the 2012 offseason. Back in 2001, Tom Brady wondered aloud why the conversation about whether he or Drew Bledsoe should play quarterback resulted in one guy being denigrated and the other exalted. In other words, can't there be two talented players at a spot?In the case of Edelman vs. Welker, the scales on game days are vastly tipped in Welker's favor. But, to the Patriots, a new level is established every offseason and into training camp. And Edelman's performed well enough to move ahead of Welker. Asked Tuesday on his weekly conference call what he likes about Edelman's game, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said, "I think we have a lot of guys that can do different things and help us make some plays and move the ball. Julian is certainly one of those guys. He made quite a few plays the other day in the game and really helped us, and came up big, in a couple of those two-minute situations there. He's a guy that gives you everything he's got on every play. He's got speed and has caught the ball well for us so far this year. He's a returner and gives you an element of run-after-catch that I'd say is something he does fairly well."Not to say that we don't have other players that do it very well too, but Jules, I think, has earned the right to get out there and play," added McDaniels. "We used him a lot in the three-receiver sets opposite of Brandon, with Wes inside. And then used him a little bit in there in those two-tight end formations as well." That Welker's role has been even mildly diminished is an eye-widener. Here's a player that was good enough to have the ball thrown to him 173 times last season and is good enough to pay 9.5 million to being usurped by a player who's physically stronger and faster but far more erratic. If the Patriots thought this wasn't going to be a cause celebre or one that could be just shrugged off, they miscalculated. They often do on these personnel dustups. But they're also often - not always, but often - right. McDaniels noted how involved Welker remains."I think Wes played a big role for us the other day," he said. "We feel like we've got a number of different guys that can contribute and help our offense, and have earned the opportunities that they are getting. Wes, whatever it was, we threw the ball his way 12 or 13 times or somewhere in that neighborhood the other day (actually 11). He made a number of big plays for us. Each game-plan ends up different. Sometimes we play guys the majority of the game. Other times, we feel like using some different rotations that may give us some advantages, whether that may be a matchup we end with in the front, or a personnel grouping that we expect the defense to give us. Or even formationally ourselves, in terms of what we try to do. I think there are a number of factors that go into our game-plan every week, but certainly, he's going to be a big part of our game-plan each week that we go in and play."To go from "absolutely vital" to "big" is a drop though. And the attendant curiosity is understandable. Even if the breathless speculation and demonizing isn't.