Wes Welker

t clocks a half hour early if that’s what it takes to play 60 minutes.

Unfamiliar Faces: WR Wes Welker (injury) and TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez (both still in college) did not play the last time these teams met in the playoffs. Make Baltimore rue the day they heard their names.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: AFC Championship"

The Patriots traded 2007 second and seventh round picks to Miami for third receiver Wes Welker following a 67-reception season. The Patriots turned the slot receiver into a four-time Pro Bowl slot machine.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

WR Wes Welker already broke the record for receiving yards in a season and is just eight receptions away from breaking his record for receptions in a season. TE Rob Gronkowski, already the owner of the NFL record for touchdowns in a season by a tight end, claimed New England’s receiving yards by a tight end record.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

In fact, WR Wes Welker dropped a sure score just before the interception. This game wouldn’t had been close if the offense executed as Brady expected, and the sideline exchange of words would had never happened if Welker caught the previous pass.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 14"

Branch is back, but he takes a back seat to Wes Welker. Since arriving from Miami by way of trade, Welker averaged more than 100 receptions and 1,100+ yards. This year he’s on pace for surpass his career highs in both categories.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

With a minus 2-yard completion, WR Wes Welker became the fastest player to 500 receptions with one team. He did it in just 70 games.

4. With the win, Brady and Bill Belichick became the winningest head coach-quarterback combo with 117 wins, surpassing Don Shula and Dan Marino.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 10"

With 136 receiving yards, WR Wes Welker had his 20th 100-yard game.

6. A pre-game ceremony was held in honor of Veteran’s Day. It included a moment of silence for Stephen Gutwoski, an Army specialist who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan earlier this year. Gutowski was from Plymouth, MA.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Nine"

games, the overall evaluation says no.

And just to sate you curiosity, the calendar ends with WR Wes Welker and QB Tom Brady. They’re not going anywhere:

Meriweather, Chicago Bears – He’s a part of the 29th-ranked defense in the NFL (25th pass defense). Merriweather started four games for the Bears but was demoted recently as safety play for Chicago has been a major disappointment.

Continue reading "Better Off Without Them"

Ryan knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to rankling.

It got to WR Wes Welker last season. In a press conference leading up to the playoff game, Welker made several references to feet. It was a somewhat subtle dig at Ryan after a video featuring Ryan’s wife and the voice of a portrayed police officer that sounded like Rex expressing an attraction towards Michelle’s feet.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 5"

That is second to the Greatest Show on Turf St. Louis Rams.

4. WR Wes Welker signed his name in the Patriots record book again. His production for the past two weeks is the greatest total receiving yards (375) in two straight games.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 4"

Moss was the centerpiece of a receiver corps overhaul that included Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker. With a full training camp to prepare, Moss and friends ran up the score week after week in 2007.

Continue reading "Ochocinco Time Is Now"

WR Wes Welker was in 2009 form. He tied a franchise record with 16 receptions and broke the yardage record with 217 yards, both career highs. Welker broke Terry Glenn’s 214 yards set in 1999 against Cleveland.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 3"

tion.

Either Brady is lying or his assortment of targets are being covered very well.

Of course Wes Welker would get plenty of action from Brady after more than 400 receptions over the past four seasons. Aaron Hernandez quickly developed a rapport with Brady because he plays like a bigger, stronger version of Welker. Why other receivers haven’t carried over their success into this preseason is a mystery.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Week 4"

WR Deion Branch was brought back and paired with Wes Welker, just like when Branch and Troy Brown were Brady’s favorite targets. And RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the hard-nosed grinder like Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon were.

Continue reading "Patriots On the Run in 2011 and Beyond"

WRs Deion Branch and Wes Welker won’t play forever. The opportunity is there for Taylor and Tate to be next in line.

To all the rookies that logged plenty of snaps, expectations will be through the roof as the general belief is players make the biggest improvement in their second season. As good as CB Devin McCourty, LBs Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham, TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, DLs Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love, and punter Zoltan Mesko were, there is a lot of room for improvement.

Continue reading "A Fueled Off-season"

e claims and predictions inspired them to shut the opponent up.

It seemed innocent enough when WR Wes Welker made several “foot” clichés during his press conference as a sly way to get digs on Jets head coach Rex Ryan. But it was the first crack that some Pats were irritated. The Jets won the mental game.

Continue reading "Aftermath, Forward Thinking"

It wasn’t even a year ago that WR Wes Welker blew out his knee untouched in a meaningless game against Houston. How horrible would it be for a key player to suffer a season-ending injury during garbage time?

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

ber to be called a little more often:

·         WR Wes Welker is 17 receptions short of 100 receptions. He would be just the second receiver with four consecutive 100-reception seasons.

Continue reading "Going for Records"

Tate watched and learned from Moss and Wes Welker for a year. Brandon would ease his way into a contributing role with the offense as Moss and Welker drew most of the attention. And with Tom Brady as the triggerman, Tate almost never has to make a difficult catch. 

Continue reading "A Show of Hands by Tate, Please"

djusted to an offense predicated on pass distribution and short to intermediate routes. 

WR Wes Welker, after four straight games of less than 60 yards receiving, had a season high 89 yards on seven receptions. Tight end Rob Gronkowski’s role expanded from red zone target to full time weapon, finishing with career highs in receptions (five), yards (72) and touchdowns in one game (three). Eight players caught at least one pass. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

another player worth rooting for. 

Extra Point: T-Mac is understandably overshadowed by WR Wes Welker. Just six months after surgery to repair a torn ACL, he was back on the field for

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game Two"

And if WR Wes Welker sits this one out, who is the back-up plan? 

Tight Ends on the Loose: QB Tom Brady never had this much receiving talent at this position in his 10 years with New England. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez get to prove if they are worthy of the high praise they received from draft evaluators. 

Continue reading "First Look"

Veterans Randy Moss and Wes Welker are locks with Torry Holt very likely to secure a role. And youngsters Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman and Taylor Price have the potential to be great. Matt Slater and Sam Aiken, as effective special teamers, have extra value to the team. 

Continue reading "Quick Cuts"

Faulk will remain the third down back. 

Healthy Competition: I’m not worried about WR Wes Welker or QB Tom Brady. The latter should be his old self for a full season. And based on his appearance during OTAs, Welker will eventually be just fine, despite being placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. I want to see the players who missed all but one game combined last year. 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

he Patriots’ need, with 1 not a need and 5 being ugent:Wide Receiver/Tight End

Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate, Sam Aiken, Darnell Jenkins, David Patten, Matt Slater, Robert Agnone, Alge Crumpler

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends"

It isn’t much different in the Patriots offense as Wes Welker, Troy Brown, and Deion Branch did it for the Pats over the years. Holt knows how to get open underneath and will run the routes as needed after reading the defense. And Tom Brady can be confident that Holt will make the catch because he still has two of the best hands in the league and Holt won’t flinch to make the catch, even with a defender barring down to deliver a hit. 

Continue reading "Window Shopping"

out of the game in the fourth quarter. 

Two points: Very classy for the coaches to name WR Wes Welker a team captain for the kickoff. I can only imagine what Wes would had told the team at halftime…A tip of the cap to the Patriot players selected to the Pro Bowl: QB Tom Brady, NT Vince Wilfork, and Welker. WR Randy Moss and S Brandon Merriweather will attend as injury replacements.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Wild Card"

But they understand it’s going to be tougher the second time around without WR Wes Welker. 

Some people will point out that Welker only had six receptions for 48 yards in the game, but his presence on the field was valuable because the defense has to respect Welker. Without him, WR Randy Moss will star in the NFL version of “Three’s Company.” 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Wild Card"

It’s the kind of injury that believers in playing it safe use as an example. WR Wes Welker injured his knee when he planted his left foot to change direction, but the knee gave away. People believe he tore his ACL and MCL, ending Welker’s season just before the playoffs. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 17"

Is it better to rest players for the playoffs or play the final game to stay sharp? This has been heavily debated since Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell withdrew his starters during the third quarter of last week’s game. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

The offense scored after the turnover on downs. 

5. Two new high water marks. WR Wes Welker broke the team record for receptions in a season when he caught his 113th pass. Welker has 122 receptions in 13 games with the season finale still left to play. And Merriweather got his career high fifth interception this year. Merriweather almost had his second interception return for a touchdown if only OLB Adalius Thomas was able to block Jaguars QB David Garrard. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

Though they’re reeling, they created the blueprint of doubling WRs Rand Moss and Wes Welker. Until the Pats have a consistent third target, they are at risk of blowing it against the Broncos a second time. Chances: Even 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

But that first down was an eight-yard pass to Wes Welker that sealed the game. 

6. Congratulations to NT Ron Brace. He had his first career start. Without NT Vince Wilfork, DEs Ty Warren and Myron Pryor out, he was needed. Brace was OK, finishing with four total tackles. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 15"

ake by the offense. 

Obviously in a pick your poison decision, teams would rather die by WR Wes Welker than by Moss. As Moss’s numbers decline week by week, the need to create more ways to get the ball to him increases. Short of running a Wildcat with Moss taking the snap, the coaching staff should try every idea they can think of to get more out of Moss. 

Continue reading "Rethink Randy"

WR Wes Welker is the fourth receiver to catch 100 or more passes in three consecutive seasons, joining Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, and Herman Moore. Welker reached 100 receptions in just eleven games played, tying Harrision.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 14"

to stop it. 

It’s not just the lack of a reliable third receiver when Randy Moss and Wes Welker are covered. Whether it is a slot guy or the tight end, QB Tom Brady doesn’t trust them. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 13"

Clearly he’s not familiar with WR Wes Welker: 15 receptions and 192 yards, both career highs. He set the record for most receptions with a new team in the first 40 games. Who came up with that stat? 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 11"

Green-Ellis dropped a pass in the endzone. 

5. WR Wes Welker wasn’t even targeted in the first quarter. But when Tom Brady looked for Welker in the second quarter, his first three receptions each went for first downs. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Nine"

Not because they will be used in tandem to double-team Moss, but Wes Welker has been a thorn in the side the past two years as well (28-362-2 in four games). 

Miami’s results against the league haven’t been great as big receivers excelled against the Dolphins secondary, totaling 10 receptions for 192 yards and a score. But all that will be forgotten if Davis, Smith and the secondary keep Moss under wraps. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

The offense’s big three of QB Tom Brady and WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker will get their share of votes. Beyond them…good luck. 

As much as we like ILB Jerod Mayo, his injury set him back. He’s eighth on the team in tackles. No one from the front seven has a chance of getting voted in. 

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Ben?"

He had real problems when the Broncos took away WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker. 

Lastly, Tom must answer whether big, physical corners a problem for Brady and Moss. Jets’ Darrell Revis shut down Moss and had an interception. And Aqib Talib had enough reach to pick off a deep pass to WR Brandon Tate. Certainly Moss has to step up and beat his man if he’s one-on-one with anybody. Then it is up to Brady to put the pass where only Moss can get it. 

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

Outside of Wes Welker, who wants to steal the show? 

Denver gave up just 26 points through four games. The Patriots will exceed that total in a commanding win. Questions? Comments?

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 5"

He’s not going to start over Randy Moss or Wes Welker, but Joey Galloway is here for just one year. If Tate returns to his former self, he could have a breakthrough as the third receiver and returner. 

Continue reading "Waiting on Tate"

elman showed great quickness returning a punt for a 75-yard score, and as a receiver he did a great Wes Welker impersonation, catching five passes for 37 yards. 

Maybe the performance by this Golden Flash shouldn’t be so surprising. Edelman broke the Kent State record for single season total yardage and was responsible for 26 total touchdowns as a passer and runner. Edelman is also familiar with returning punts because he did that part-time for the Golden Flashes. 

Continue reading "Intrigued by Edelman"

Connell, and Brian Hoyer at quarterback. 

The receiver position is stocked with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, Brandon Tate, Sam Aiken, Greg Lewis, Matt Slater, Shun White, Terrence Nunn, and quarterback-turned receiver Julian Edelman. 

Continue reading "Signing Vick ?"

ne season. 

Expecting that O’Brien will do similar things with Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and new third receiver Joey Galloway is unfair to O’Brien. But if New England doesn’t consistently put points on the board, then O’Brien isn’t doing a good enough job. 

Continue reading "Camp Countdown"

ia for WR Greg Lewis.

Before any reserve receiver gets on the field, he must wait for Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Kevin Faulk to be targeted. Galloway has name recognition, but he's no better than Lewis or Sam Aiken because the number of opportunities won't be great.

Continue reading "Mike Wright Done Right"

Donte' Stallworth, RB Sammy Morris, and two trades for receivers that played beyond the price paid, Wes Welker and Randy Moss.

2006 was another visit to the bargain bin that yielded just WR Jabar Gaffney and a out of retirement LB Junior Seau.

Continue reading "The Bi-annual Free Agency Splash"

t I'll try to exercise a bit of common sense and select players who should be on the AFC team:

WR Wes Welker

This should be a no-brainer. He currently leads the NFL in receptions and is in the top 10 for receiving yards. Unfortunately he lacks star power and touchdowns. But that doesn't diminish his importance to the team. His performance against Seattle is a microcosm of what he does for New England: he just makes plays when the team needs them. His hope is the coaches will recognize his efforts and reward him.

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Pats"

step on Law, Ty won't be able to keep up.

If Law is used in the slot, then his assignment becomes Wes Welker, which would be more difficult. Welker will have his problems getting off the line if Law gets physical with him, but Law would be no match for Welker's quickness after five yards.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

el could have the time to pick the Bills secondary apart.

WR Josh Reed -He's Buffalo's version of Wes Welker: a quality slot receiver that consistently moves the chains. Reed excels in finding soft spots on zones and keeps Buffalo's offense humming. Just because the Bills spread the ball around (five players have at least 20 receptions) doesn't diminish Reed's contributions. Without Reed working underneath, it doesn't open up the deep routes to Lee Evans.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10"

There was a curl ran by Wes Welker that could had been a first down. And finally TE David Thomas beat the coverage but Cassel held on a beat too long. By the time he threw it, Cassel had to throw a bullet. If Cassel released it on Thomas' cut, the required touch would had floated the pass over LB Calvin Pace's hand and to the target just before LB Eric Barton arrived. That's 14 points the offense missed out on, not including the other trips into the red zone.

Continue reading "Monday Morning"

Washington, with Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth, were going to be the explosive targets Tom Brady was in dire need of.

But a little trade for WR Randy Moss on day two of the NFL Draft changed Kelley's role from competing for playing time to playing for a roster spot.

Continue reading "On offense"

I also want to see record-setting WRs Randy Moss (NFL-record 23 TDs) and Wes Welker (team record 112 receptions) take the field with Brady. On defense, a return to action by LB Mike Vrabel

Continue reading "First look at Brady"

The offensive line couldn't hold water even if it was bottled. And I believe Wes Welker dropped a short pass that he could had turned into a first down.

So many opposing fans relish repeating, "18-1! 18-1!" I can care less about the perfect season. If the one loss was during the regular season and the Patriots won the championship, that would had made me happy. 18-1 with a Lombardi Trophy still would had meant sending a message to the rest of the league for calling into question the past accomplishment of the three previous Super Bowl-winning Patriots teams.

Continue reading "The reveiw of XLII"

Callaghan
QB Tom Brady
RB Laurence Maroney
FB Heath Evans
WR Randy Moss
WR Wes Welker
TE Ben Watson

Defense

LE Ty Warren
NT Vince Wilfork
RE Richard Seymour

Continue reading "Looking too far ahead"

:DL Jarvis GreenCB Ellis HobbsOT Nick KaczurOG Stephen NealOT Oliver RossLB Mike VrabelLB Bo RuudWR Wes WelkerC Ryan WendelDL Mike WrightRB BenJarvis Green-Ellis

Later on, safety Rodney Harrison was added to the list.

Continue reading "A dozen PUP-ies"

ng off-season the Patriots re-made the receiving corps by signing Donte' Stallworth and trading for Wes Welker. The draft-day trade for Moss completed the transformation.

There's also the other part of the trade: The player has to want to go to the new team. All reports at the time had Moss not interested in playing for the Packers. We may never know why, but my guess would be he wanted to join a team with a chance to win a championship (which at the time Green Bay didn't look like one of those teams because of the 8-8 record in '06). That and he might not had been fond of the Green Bay faithful. The panta-moon best captures how he felt about the Packers fans. Brett could beg all he wants for Moss, but if Randy doesn't want to go then that deal won't happen, and it didn't.

Continue reading "Keep the name out your mouth"

Two weeks ago, Taylor took a break from his dancing gig and visited the Dolphins. He visited with teammates in the locker room and, after a warm reception, decided to call on Parcells.

Taylor walked into a room where Parcells was watching tape, and Parcells ignored him. He looked at Taylor and went back to his work without saying a word.

Continue reading "Taylor Trash"

    When the Patriots picked up Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth in the off-season I predicted 19-0. After the spy gate incident I felt even more confident about an undefeated season. What happened then? The Patriots steam rolled teams around the league on their way to smashing records including the first ever 16-0 regular season. 

Continue reading "The New England Patriots and Thier ..."

t the need to double cover him, and a defense can better protect itself against the slot receivers. Wes Welker’s production, while well earned, would not be possible without Moss split out wide. The Giants have a team that resembles the Patriot’s championship teams of the last five years: a cohesive unit that doesn’t lose stride if one piece is missing. However, with the Pats’ defense as porous as it currently is, perfecting the “bend but don’t break” approach, the team would be in trouble if their offense couldn’t be counted on for thirty points per game. 

Continue reading "Giant Upset"