Wes Welker News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 14

Boston Globe

"The natural questions to ask after last night's news that Wes Welker recently underwent rotator-cuff surgery concern the timetable for his recovery. Since rehab on those types of injuries varies wildly, I've had some difficulty nailing that down. But what I have been told is that the idea that this injury would sideline Welker for the entire 2010 season is completely false. In fact, battling back from reconstructive knee surgery remains the 28-year-old's primary challenge. Now, there's good news and bad news here. Bad news first. This isn't insignificant. Rotator-cuff surgery, like the one Steeler defensive end Aaron Smith had in October, is enough to end a player's season. Smith's ..."

Wes Welker in new battle

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March 14

Boston Herald

"As soon as Wes Welker's rotator cuff surgery became public, the question came: How will it affect the receiver's attempts to return to the field in 2010? Already battling a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, Welker had hoped to return by the start of the season. But does his torn rotator cuff - the severity of which is not known - throw a wrench in his plans? Neither Welker, nor the Patriots, have commented on his status. But according to injury expert Will Carroll, Welker's main obstacle remains his knee. "It's not that big a deal. I can't see Welker missing a significant portion of the season because of this," said Carroll, who has earned acclaim as a senior writer for Baseball ..."

Welker had shoulder surgery

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March 13

Boston Globe

"Wes Welker's reconstructive knee surgery was going to be enough to set him back for the 2010 season. As it turns out, it's only part of what the Patriots slot receiver is battling. Welker recently underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, an NFL source told the Globe late last night. Surgery isn't necessary for all patients with torn rotator cuffs. When it is recommended, it is to repair torn tendons. Timetables vary on the recovery, and the rehab time for Welker's injury remained unclear last night. Welker tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee in the regular-season finale against Houston and underwent reconstructive surgery Feb. 3. Sources ..."

Source: Welker had rotator cuff surgery

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March 13

Boston Globe

"Wes Welker's got more than just a knee injury to rehabilitate from. Welker also has a torn rotator cuff, an NFL source confirmed to the Globe tonight. Welker has already had surgery to repair the injured shoulder, the source said. News of the injury first surfaced at the Big Rips blog, and author Seth Davis contacted Boston-area media outlets with the information."

Wes Welker tears rotator cuff

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March 13

Boston Herald

"Wes Welker now has two major injuries to battle back from. The Patriots receiver suffered a torn rotator cuff, a source confirmed to the Herald. Add that to the torn MCL and ACL in his left knee that robbed Welker of his postseason, injuries that will make getting ready for 2010 an uphill battle. It's not clear how Welker tore his rotator cuff, nor is a timetable for recovery clear. But it is an added roadblock for last season's leading receiver, as he tries to come back from his already debilitating knee injury. The news was first reported in a blog called Big Rips. There are several variations of torn rotator cuffs, so it is difficult to gauge if this will prolong his fight back onto the ..."

Caserio: Pats receivers are a "good group"

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February 27

Boston Globe

"The wide receiver group may have some question marks, but it is not an area that concerns, Nick Caserio, the Patriots director of player personnel. Wes Welker continues to recover from knee surgery and Randy Moss will be entering the final year of his contract. The Patriots signed veteran receiver and former Patriot David Patten earlier this week and continue to watch Brandon Tate's progress as he recovers from a knee injury that ended his season. "... I think it's a good group," Caserio said. "Where are we once the season rolls around, it's hard to tell but I think where the group is right now, I think there are a lot of guys who have been productive at different levels of experience, and ..."

Wes Welker recovering well

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February 25

Boston Herald

"Wes Welker just crossed the three-week threshold since knee surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. According to a league source familiar with the Patriots All-Pro wide receiver's recovery process, Welker is "doing very well," at this early stage. That's good news when you consider where Tom Brady was at this phase in his recovery from the same injury. As everyone in Patriots Nation will recall, the quarterback was battling the effects of a nasty staph infection incurred a week after surgery. While the early news is extremely encouraging with Welker, counting on him to make it back for the start of the 2010 season remains an unrealistic proposition. That's why the wide ..."

Welker surgery goes 'perfectly OK'

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February 3

Boston Globe

"Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker is "perfectly OK'' after undergoing surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital yesterday to repair torn ligaments in his knee, said a person with knowledge of the surgery. Welker tore both the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the regular-season finale against Houston Jan. 3. In the month since the injury, Welker has waited to have the surgery to allow his MCL to heal to protect against an infection."

Wes Welker's surgery a success

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February 3

Boston Herald

"Away from South Florida, Patriots receiver Wes Welker underwent successful surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee, two sources told the Herald. The surgery was performed by team doctor Thomas Gill at Mass. General Hospital. This comes 30 days after Welker tore his ACL and MCL in Houston. The All-Pro waited to allow the MCL to heal. Now, Welker faces a rehabilitation process of at least six months, meaning it might be difficult for him to be ready by the start of the 2010 season."

Wes Welker surgery set for Tuesday

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January 28

Boston Herald

"Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker has set Tuesday as the date for surgery to repair the left knee he blew out in the final regular-season game against Houston, according to a league source. The surgery is scheduled at Massachusetts General Hospital. Welker tore both the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments during the Jan. 3 loss. So the reported Feb. 2 surgery takes place roughly one month after the injury. During an appearance on a radio show recently, Welker indicated the intention was to allow the MCL to heal before heading into surgery to fix the ACL. That was the same protocol for quarterback Tom Brady, who suffered a similar injury, only the surgery took place before the ..."

Welker sets date for his surgery

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January 28

Boston Globe

"Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker has scheduled surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee and will undergo the operation Tuesday at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to an NFL source. Welker tore both the anterior cruciate and the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the final game of the regular season against the Houston Texans. The surgery will come roughly one full month after the injury."

No surgery yet for Wes Welker

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January 27

Boston Herald

"Twenty-three days after Wes Welker's left knee exploded on the turf at Houston's Reliant Stadium, the Patriots receiver still has not had surgery. A source with knowledge of his situation told the Herald that Welker purposely is waiting for the procedure to be performed, allowing time for his MCL to heal. Welker also tore his ACL on Jan. 3 in the loss to the Texans. Welker released a statement 20 days ago, saying, "I plan on coming back the player I was and much more." Fourteen days ago, he told WWLS Radio in Oklahoma City, "We're just taking our time right now to wait on (the MCL) to heal and make sure that we exhaust all the options.""

Wes Welker voted All-Pro

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January 15

Boston Herald

"The honor may not provide Wes Welker much help while he battles to recover from season-ending knee surgery. But the Patriots [team stats] receiver can take some solace in the news that became public yesterday morning. Welker is a first-team Associated Press All-Pro selection. The two-time Pro Bowler joins Houston's Andre Johnson as the only two receivers on the team. Guard Logan Mankins [stats], who will also head to his second Pro Bowl, is a second-team pick. No other Patriots were named. Welker missed two games early, then played four plays in Houston before tearing the MCL and ACL in his left knee. He still led the NFL with a career-high 123 catches to go with 1,348 receiving yards and ..."

Welker knew he was done

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January 13

Boston Globe

"In his most extensive comments to date about his season-ending knee injury, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker revealed yesterday why he became so emotional on the bench that day in Houston, covering his face in a towel and wiping tears from his eyes: He assumed his season had ended. "I pretty much knew right when it happened that my season was probably over,'' Welker said on WWLS, a radio station in his hometown Oklahoma City. "Then talking to the doctors, they let me know what they think probably happened, which I probably already knew what happened. "It was kind of tough, especially that first 24 hours or so was rough. Once you came to the realization of what it was, it was just another ..."

Wes Welker hopeful for '10 return

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January 13

Boston Herald

"Wes Welker knew as soon as he made his cut that his left knee had exploded. And during the ensuing 24 hours after the Patriots' final regular-season game, it was difficult. Then, as Welker explained to Jim Traber of WWLS Radio in his hometown of Oklahoma City, his spirits were lifted by texts, e-mails and cards. "You just got to move on from it," Welker told the station, "and realize that you have a lot of work ahead of you to get back for the next year." Welker, who has not spoken to local print reporters since the injury, said he hasn't had surgery yet. He must allow the MCL to heal first before doctors can work on the ACL. "We're just taking our time right now," Welker said. "We've got ..."

Dilfer: Welker's loss has benefit

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January 10

Boston Herald

"Life after Wes Welker. How will the Patriots cope without him during the playoffs? How will they compensate for his loss in the short term? ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer believes he has a pretty good idea what Tom Brady & Co. have in store. And while there is no replacing Welker, he feels the Pats are equipped to get by. Five weeks ago, the former Super Bowl-winning Ravens quarterback, in offering his view of why the Pats offense wasn't scoring in the second halves of games, told the Herald that it was too predictable and not particularly diversified. Dilfer believes Welker's absence is an opportunity to change the dynamic, beginning with today's playoff game vs. the Ravens. "You can't replace ..."

Julian Edelman fit to fill Wes Welker role

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January 9

Boston Herald

"Julian Edelman's world changed the moment his mentor Wes Welker fell to the Reliant Stadium turf. The Patriots [team stats] rookie receiver may be the only one ignoring it. "It's been like any other week," Edelman said. "Any time you overhype something, (you) just become jacked up in the head. I'm trying to do my job." Welker, the Patriots star and the NFL's leader with 123 catches, is done for the season after tearing knee ligaments last week in Houston. In a flash, the spotlight shifted to the player nicknamed "Mini Wes." From Kent State quarterback to substitute for the two-time Pro Bowler - all in a year. "It's pretty surreal," said Edelman, the 6-foot, 198-pound seventh-round draft ..."

Patriots have to cope with loss of Welker

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January 8

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Tom Brady won the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award Wednesday a few hours before Wes Welker went on injured reserve. How they cope with Welker's loss may determine how far the Patriots go in the playoffs.The quarterback and the receiver are close friends, and their chemistry is an underpinning of the offense.When Welker missed two games earlier this season, the offense sputtered and Brady looked rusty. He was hurried. He was unsure. He was un-Brady. But when Welker played, he led the NFL with 123 receptions, his short routes over the middle providing the defining snapshot of the offense and allowing Brady to slip into the familiar rhythm that bedevils opponents. But with Welker ..."

A painful reminder: RB McGahee can relate to Welker

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January 8

Boston Globe

"Willis McGahee knows the painstaking path to recovery that injured Patriots receiver Wes Welker now faces. Both players have suffered a catastrophic left knee injury. But, McGahee, who took two years to recover from what transpired in his final game with the University of Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, said there was one distinctive difference. "I tore three major ligaments in my knee,'' said McGahee, who required several surgeries after tearing the anterior cruciate, medial collateral, and posterior cruciate ligaments in the fourth quarter of top-ranked Miami's 31-24 loss in double overtime to second-ranked Ohio State in the BCS national championship game. McGahee suffered the injury ..."

Willis McGahee backs Wes Welker

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January 8

Boston Herald

"Ravens running back Willis McGahee has some special advice for injured Patriots receiver Wes Welker. "Be prepared to work harder than you ever have in your life," McGahee said yesterday. "And when you're back, expect to be mentally tougher. That's a guarantee. If he does the work - and I know he will - he'll be mentally tougher than he's ever been in his life." McGahee, who played his college football at Miami, famously ripped up his knee in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, an injury so severe that when he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills it was with the understanding he would need a full year to recuperate. Welker now faces a comeback of his own after ripping up his left knee in the Pats' ..."

Welker gives thanks, then looks ahead

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January 7

Boston Globe

"After the Patriots placed Wes Welker on injured reserve yesterday - making official what had already become obvious - the wide receiver made his first public comments since suffering a knee injury Sunday in Houston. Welker, who according to a league source tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee, became ineligible to appear in the playoffs with the move. But on the website for his charity, www.83Foundation.com, Welker posted a message vowing his return. "My good friend Tedy Bruschi said to me the other day, 'there is no career without a comeback,' '' Welker wrote. "Although, I know that it will take time to be the same player that I once was. I am ready ..."

Wes Welker's up to 'challenge' ahead

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January 7

Boston Herald

"Wes Welker knows the rehabilitation process for the torn ligaments in his left knee will take time. It may take him time to return to leading the NFL in catches like he did in 2009. But the Patriots receiver, three days after suffering a season-ending knee injury in Houston, said in an open letter on his foundation's Web site that he is committed to fighting his way back. "I am ready to face that challenge, and in time, I plan on coming back the player I was and much more," said Welker, on the front page of 83foundation.com. "This is not the first time that I have faced adversity in my career, and it won't be the last. I am committed to this football team. I refuse to let (my teammates) ..."

Brady and Patriots Ready for Life Without Welker

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January 7

New York Times

"Tom Brady won the N.F.L.'s Comeback Player of the Year award Wednesday a few hours before Wes Welker went on injured reserve. The intersection of their injuries may determine how far the Patriots go in the playoffs. The quarterback and the receiver are close friends, and their chemistry is an underpinning of the offense. When Welker missed two games earlier this season, the offense sputtered and Brady looked rusty. He was hurried. He was unsure. He was un-Brady. But when Welker played, he led the N.F.L. with 123 receptions, his short routes over the middle providing the defining snapshot of the offense and allowing Brady to slip into the familiar rhythm that bedevils opponents. But with ..."

Wes Welker weighs options on future

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January 6

Boston Herald

"Patriots receiver Wes Welker had an MRI on his injured left knee and is "presently seeking professional advice on his best options," his father, Leland Welker, said in an e-mail yesterday to the Herald. Welker tore his ACL and MCL during the loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, ending his season before the wild card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Pro Bowler led the NFL with 123 catches for 1,348 yards with four touchdowns. Welker is staying as positive as he can. "His spirits are better than they were Sunday," Leland Welker said, "but he is still distraught about having to miss the playoffs." The Welkers, consistent with the Patriots' approach, released little information. ..."

A lost cause

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January 5

Boston Globe

"For the Patriots, the day after they lost Wes Welker for the playoffs brought dual concerns. In the short term, they have to figure out how to coax points out of an offense that just lost its steadiest, most prolific, and most valuable component. In the long term, they have to wonder how long Welker's rehab and recovery will take. The former is more pressing for the team, but the latter is more significant for the franchise. According to a league source, Welker tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee, the same injury that sidelined Tom Brady for almost all of 2008. Although more information about Welker's injury is needed to shape the parameters of his ..."

Bill Belichick blasts field for injury

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January 5

Boston Herald

"Bill Belichick watched star receiver Wes Welker crumple to the Reliant Stadium field on Sunday, blowing up his knee on a cut he makes all the time. The Patriots coach had no qualms yesterday about slamming the natural-grass surface on which it happened. "It's terrible," Belichick said during his weekly appearance on WEEI radio. "One of the worst fields I've seen. For the level of play we have, I think consistency of field should be priority number one, when you talk about player safety." Some spots are spongy, Belichick continued, others are hard, others are long, some are short, none of them match. Players echoed his thoughts. They insisted it all contributed to Welker's torn ACL and MCL ..."

Brady: Can't replace Welker

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January 4

ESPN.com

"New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady spoke Monday morning for the first time about receiver Wes Welker's knee injury, saying the team "can't replace him" and would have to "evolve a little bit" on offense without its leading receiver. Welker suffered a devastating knee injury while making a cut in the first quarter of Sunday's regular-season-ending loss to the Houston Texans. Initial tests showed he tore both the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee, but he is scheduled to undergo more testing Monday, a source close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Should the diagnosis hold up, Welker's season would be over and he would face ..."

He's receiving more attention

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January 4

Boston Globe

"Julian Edelman made his NFL debut Sept. 20, subbing for Wes Welker, who was inactive because of an injury. The Patriots rookie receiver may make his playoff debut under similar circumstances. Edelman led all receivers Sept. 20 against the Jets, catching eight passes for 98 yards in a 16-9 loss at Giants Stadium. It was his most productive performance of the season until yesterday, when Welker's day - and season - ended early because of a knee injury. As the Patriots head into the playoffs, the college quarterback turned NFL receiver will be one of Tom Brady's primary targets. Welker's knee appeared to buckle while he was attempting to deke Texans safety Bernard Pollard after catching a ..."

Now the focus is squarely on Brady and Moss

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January 4

Boston Globe

"It's easy to say that when Wes Welker went down, so did any hopes the Patriots harbored of achieving the kind of playoff success they've become accustomed to. Easy, because it's probably true. According to a league source, it's believed Welker tore his left ACL and MCL yesterday in Houston, blowing out the knee while trying cut on the Reliant Stadium grass on the Patriots' fourth play from scrimmage. He'll undergo more tests today, but it's a near certainty he will require reconstructive surgery, which likely would shelve him for 6-12 months."

No contact, but a truly crushing blow

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January 4

Boston Globe

"How many times this year did we see Wes Welker take the big hit and then jump to his feet? How many times did someone use the words "Wes Welker'' and "Energizer Bunny'' in the same sentence? So how deep is the irony in seeing the league's greatest possession receiver, and the Patriots' unquestioned 2009 MVP, rendered hors de combat with no contact involved? First quarter. Third and 4 at the New England 42. It began like so many other Tom Brady-to-Welker collaborations, with the quarterback hitting the great receiver on a quick hitter and the receiver squirming for some additional yards."

A mess in Texas

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January 4

Boston Globe

"At 12:20 p.m. local time yesterday, Wes Welker sat on the Patriots bench and dabbed at his eyes with a white towel. Welker had removed his helmet and replaced it with a backwards cap. Medical personnel surrounded him. Tom Brady was the first teammate to walk over and pat him on the leg. Others followed. "I've seen him look like that before,'' Leland Welker, Wes's father, said from his home in Oklahoma City. "It was always in a losing effort or something like that. It wasn't a good sign.'' A cart wheeled behind Welker, and the trainers loaded him on. The cart drove into the tunnel on the other corner of Reliant Stadium. Welker had left a football field for the final time this season."

Wes Welker injures knee

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January 4

Boston Herald

"Wes Welker suffered a left knee injury yesterday that added a significant loss to yesterday's 34-27 defeat to the Texans, one that will have serious repercussions for the Patriots playoff hopes. According to a league source, initial tests indicated the Pro Bowl wide receiver tore both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, which is the same season-ending injury Tom Brady [stats] suffered in the opener last year. Welker is expected to undergo more tests today to confirm the initial finding. Welker caught a pass from Brady on the team's fourth offensive play, with 9:39 left in the first quarter. As he was making a cut from left to right to avoid Houston's Bernard Pollard - ..."

Wes Welker injures left knee

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January 3

Boston Herald

"The Patriots' biggest fear materialized today when All Pro receiver Wes Welker suffered a left knee injury while making a cut in the first quarter against the Houston Texans. Welker was in the clear and angling for more yards after catching a ball from Pats quarterback Tom Brady when his left knee buckled on a cut. He immediately went down and clutched the knee. After several minutes on the turf, he was helped off the field, gingerly putting weight on the knee. On the sidelines, Welker was visibly shaken, hiding his face in a towel and apparently wiping away tears, as he was approached by teammates, including Brady, Randy Moss and Vince Wilfork. He was then put on a cart and removed from ..."

Randy Moss, Wes Welker may sit

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January 2

Boston Herald

"Patriots coach Bill Belichick officially left open the possibility that receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker won't play tomorrow, though neither decision would be based on an injury. That quarterback Tom Brady (rib, finger) is listed as probable on the final injury report is no surprise. But it was interesting that Moss and Welker were designated as probable, despite the moves being "not injury related." A player said to be probable has a "virtual certainty" of playing, but the door is open if Belichick decides to rest them. Is Belichick playing mind games or will he decide to rest his star pass-catchers after all? This week, Welker said, "I enjoy playing every week. I look at this week no ..."

Wes Welker an old Pro

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December 31

Boston Herald

"The fact that Wes Welker earned his second Pro Bowl selection was not a stretch, considering the Patriots receiver leads the NFL with 122 catches and is second with 1,336 yards. But at one point, it woulTid have been laughable to project the undrafted free agent from Texas Tech to be a Pro Bowler. Same with a former sixth-round pick named Tom Brady. "We sit there and say what a hoax the draft is," Welker said. "But I don't think we ever have it out for anybody. We just give the evaluators a hard time and say, 'You did a real good job on this pick.' " Welker described himself as "definitely excited and glad to hear" that he made the Pro Bowl. But if he couldn't play because his team was in ..."

Catching up to Wes Welker

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December 28

Boston Herald

"If you think Wes Welker is always open, you're not alone. The Patriots receiver, who has an uncanny knack for finding the soft spot in defenses, said he never thinks of himself as covered. No matter what a defense throws at him - and they've tried just about everything - Welker consistently manages to have games like yesterday's, when he caught all 13 passes thrown his way for 138 yards in a 35-7 win over Jacksonville at Gillette Stadium. "As a receiver, you never want to feel like you're covered or anything like that," Welker said. "That's not really my mindset. My mindset is trying to win somehow, whether it's double covered or they have (a) safety over the top or whatever it is. It's ..."

Patriots see little after Wes Welker, Randy Moss

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December 26

Boston Herald

"The math doesn't add up. If Patriots opponents put two defenders each on both Randy Moss and Wes Welker, someone else must be open. Right? Except over the last three games, it hasn't worked out like that. Quarterback Tom Brady doesn't want to spotlight two receivers. Yet he has completed just one pass to a receiver not named Moss or Welker during the past three games - Sam Aiken for an 81-yard touchdown against the Dolphins. "When the defense takes one thing away, then hopefully we have options somewhere else," coach Bill Belichick said. "It's not like we're just standing there looking for one guy. We were throwing to other guys. It just didn't always work out there. We didn't hit a lot of ..."

For Brady, all routes lead to Welker, Moss

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December 23

Boston Globe

"Tom Brady, in his early years as the Patriots' starter, was consistent when asked which receiver was his favorite. "The open one,'' he would swiftly respond. Has that changed? After the Patriots lost to the Saints, who held Randy Moss and Wes Welker in check, Brady's tune seemed to change."

Wes Welker defies odds as one of NFL's best

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December 23

Boston Herald

"The Welkers' faith is strong. It guides them through Sundays, from the early mornings past 1 p.m. That's when they settle into their stadium seats or flip on the TV to watch their son Wes, all 5-foot-9, 185 pounds of him. The Oklahoma City natives don't wear rose-colored glasses, either. They recognize the potential pitfalls of the smallest player on the field running routes among giants trying to separate his Patriots helmet from his head. They still are in awe as he hoists himself among the NFL's elite by forcing the best athletes to flail. No, he's never done it the easy way "In his mind, he thinks he's 6-foot-6 and weighs 290 pounds," said Shelley Welker, Wes' mother. "We have to pray ..."

Bills' defense to face test with Wes Welker

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December 17

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

"Every NFL defense that lines up against New England wide receiver Wes Welker knows what he's going to do, and still, no one can stop the guy. "I wish I had that answer because we haven't been able to, either," Bills coach Perry Fewell said Wednesday when asked how you effectively defend Welker. People can talk all they want about Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Randy Moss, Brandon Marshall and Buffalo's own Terrell Owens, and any other star receiver, but dating back to the start of the 2007 season no one has caught more balls than Welker's 328, including a league-leading 105 this year. As the Bills get ready to take on the Patriots Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium, they are ..."

At the heart of the matter

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December 14

Boston Globe

"Wes Welker, one of the few constants for the Patriots the last three seasons, is finding himself in good company. By eclipsing 100 receptions for the third straight season in the third quarter of yesterday's win over the Panthers, Welker joined a club that includes Jerry Rice. Welker tied the future Hall of Famer, as well as former Lions great Herman Moore, for consecutive seasons with at least 100 catches with his fifth of 10 catches yesterday, a 6-yarder after which he was drilled by Carolina safety Charles Godfrey."

Welker inspires 'em all

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December 14

Boston Globe

"OK, enough about one receiver's lackluster performance, and on to another's virtuoso show. Wes Welker was spectacular again on Sunday, as if I need to tell anyone that. His 10 catches for 105 yards were enormous -- accounting for more than half of Brady's 192 passing yards -- and his approach to the game may have been even more meaningful. Go back to that big hit he took on a 6-yard catch from Charles Godfrey in the third quarter. And realize that was his first of five catches for 64 yards on the Patriots' 96-yard touchdown march."

Wes Welker delivers yet again

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December 14

Boston Herald

"Wes Welker called out the team last week. Like Tom Brady, he put the Patriots on notice. The wide receiver challenged everyone to look in the mirror and do a little self-examination. He didn't feel the boys were giving it their all in order to win week to week. Just in case there were a few in the room who were unsure what that meant, Welker provided a demonstration on the right way to go about their jobs during yesterday's 20-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. He gave a clinic on giving his all to the cause. He was the gift that kept giving. With Randy Moss nonexistent, Welker was Brady's chief go-to guy, pulling in 10 catches for 105 yards. Welker kept getting open and kept moving the ..."

Pats facing combustible situation

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December 13

Boston Herald

columnist Karen Guregian

"Last week, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady called out the team for a lack of fight and full commitment to winning. Wide receiver Wes Welker challenged teammates to look in the mirror and see if they were giving all it takes to win games, week in and week out. Patriots coach Bill Belichick sent his own message, telling team captain Randy Moss, Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess and Gary Guyton to turn around and go home after all four showed up late for Wednesday's team meeting, the most critical session of each week. Belichick refused to cut anyone slack for the inclement weather and long traffic delays. If players aren't going to do their jobs, if they're not going to be fully committed to ..."

Gotta hand it to Wes Welker

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December 11

Boston Herald

"Though Wes Welker doesn't often make highlight-worthy catches, he takes pride in his hands. So the Patriots receiver was excited to be named to the USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" team for his "proper catching with hands." Welker was joined by Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald as the only receivers named to the 26-man team. "Coach (Bill) Belichick always talks to me about, 'Make sure you always catch it with your hands,' " Welker said. "At the end of the day, as long as you're catching the ball - whether it's against your chest or however you're doing it - you're going to catch the ball however you need to. "If I try to catch the ball with my hands and I drop it, I know he's going to be all ..."

Chances dry up in second half for Patriots' Wes Welker

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December 7

Miami Herald

"Wes Welker came up big on a day when the New England Patriots weren't at their best or healthiest. With Tom Brady banged up from a finger injury and Randy Moss held to just two catches, the former Dolphin totaled 10 receptions for 167 yards. It was his seventh outing of at least eight catches in his past eight games. Aside from causing damage on his usual slot routes, Welker also burned Miami deep, hauling in a 58-yard pass from Brady late in the second quarter that put New England on the Dolphins' 15 yard-line. ``Any time you get a 58-yard play, you definitely want more of that,'' Welker said of the big play. ``But, overall, we didn't finish the drive, so in the end it doesn't really ..."

Slot machine; no jackpot

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December 7

Boston Globe

"Wes Welker delivered the big play time after time for the Patriots yesterday. In fact, Welker had receptions of 58, 28, and 18 yards. But following a 22-21 loss to the Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium, all the 5-foot-9-inch slot receiver could talk about was the plays he could have made. "That's what we're out there to do is make plays,'' said Welker. "And we've got to make more of them. As many as it takes.''"

Tom Brady, 'O' fall short

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December 1

Boston Herald

"Didn't see this one coming. Not by a longshot. Having Drew Brees embarrass the Patriots defense and secondary was not exactly a surprise, given recent events in Indianapolis. But an undermanned Saints secondary getting the best of Tom Brady? A secondary without starters Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter eating up Randy Moss and Wes Welker? A secondary with a guy they picked up off the street two weeks ago helping hold down the prolific offense of the Pats? Forget Brees exposing the defense. This had to be the most stunning element of last night's 38-17 downer in the Bayou. Brady hadn't look this harassed or confused since Week 2 in the Meadowlands when the Jets caused him fits with all their ..."

Early on, Brees got a real charge from Welker

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November 30

Boston Globe

"Saints quarterback Drew Brees knows first-hand how lucky Tom Brady is to be able to throw to Wes Welker, because he has done it himself. Brees received an intimate and early preview of Welker's career in training camp 2004, when Brees was the starter for the Chargers and Welker had signed with San Diego as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech. "Wes was awesome,'' Brees said. "He was one of these work-hard guys, thousand miles an hour all the time."

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November 29

Boston Globe

"There's not an inch of NFL turf designed for the meek. But it's the area framed by the two offensive tackles, stretching 7 or 8 yards downfield, where the bodies are bigger, the landscape more crowded, the contact less forgiving. It's here that Wes Welker does his best work. It's here where the NFL leader in receptions makes defenses pay for overlooking him, the way so many teams once did. It's here where the 5-foot-9-inch dynamo's most valuable quality shines through."