"Maybe it shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given Wes Welker's history.

The Patriots receiver yesterday said he's not just fully recovered from major knee surgery last offseason, he's even faster than he was before his injury.

"I feel great,'' he said after a full-pads practice, which was held inside the Dana-Farber Field House because of rain. "I feel like I've gained a step from two years ago. This is the best I've felt in a long time, and I just want to continue to play well and continue to get better and do the things that help the team win.''"