So what do you guys think will be welker's stat line this year in New England. Will he improve upon last year's numbers or go down due to Brady passing the ball to litterally everyone and the deep WR corps. I personally feel unless Welker magically starts he will have about the same numbers as last year. However, I think his punt return stats will be improved thanks to guys like Larry izzo blocking for him and the Pats usually outsanding special teams.
wes welker
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I think he'll have about the same amount of catches but more big plays, especially if Moss and Stallworth are playing well. That should leave Welker pretty much, as Rodney Harrison put it, "uncoverable" with the middle of the field to work with. With his quickness and elusiveness there's no reason he can't take some catches "to the house."
Animalmuther0
Guru
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Here is an article on welker from the Oklahoma city newspaper. Local boy done good type of thing.
http://www.newsok.com/article/3069886/
http://www.newsok.com/article/3069886/
Animalmuther0 said:
Just a great article top to bottom. It allows the reader inside Welker's world to see where he came from and how he made it to where he is now. The author does a great job of proving that Welker is an athletic person. Also that his work ethic is only a part of his succuss; not entirely due to his success like the mainstream media would lead you to believe. I really enjoyed reading that.
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Great article...It leads me to another interesting thought. The article lists what makes Welker so good, great quickness/acceleration, great shuttle times, great L drill, Lateral quickness test. From my research all of these are areas where, in looking at NFLDraftscout.com data for quite some time now, whites on average achieve better than blacks.
I have now come to believe that whites not only make better power runners than blacks but better cut back runners as well. While there may be fewer whites percentage wise than blacks that can run sub 4.5 40's to bounce to the far outside more effectively we have the advantage in other areas. I now believe that the 40 time is less significant then these other drills. I mean Sean Alexander runs a 4.58, Larry Johnson a 4.56. Chris Henry runs a 4.35 at the combine and despite running for 3.5 yards a carry at Arizona is taken ahead of Brian Leonard?
This whole picture is making me sick. Leonard's 4.5 flat is more than sufficient. And you can see the damage power runners like Bettis, Alstott, Brandon Jacobs, even Eddie George (far overrated IMO) can do with 4.6 40 times. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
I have now come to believe that whites not only make better power runners than blacks but better cut back runners as well. While there may be fewer whites percentage wise than blacks that can run sub 4.5 40's to bounce to the far outside more effectively we have the advantage in other areas. I now believe that the 40 time is less significant then these other drills. I mean Sean Alexander runs a 4.58, Larry Johnson a 4.56. Chris Henry runs a 4.35 at the combine and despite running for 3.5 yards a carry at Arizona is taken ahead of Brian Leonard?
This whole picture is making me sick. Leonard's 4.5 flat is more than sufficient. And you can see the damage power runners like Bettis, Alstott, Brandon Jacobs, even Eddie George (far overrated IMO) can do with 4.6 40 times. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Another thought...Welker is really the only short white guy to get a chance who runs slower than a 4.5, with the exception of Wayne Cherbet who runs a 4.53.
You can see that most of the white WR's are either tall or if they are 6'2 or under have to be an athletic freak ie. Kevin Curtis, Tim Dwight. At RB you have to be a big RB that can be listed as a "tweener" ie. Alstott, Leonard. If you are a CB like a Schweigert or Zbikowski you are made a saftey if you are big enough. But if you are shorter like Dustin Fox you end up being pushed out of the league. We can only hope Weddle holds up at Safety with his smaller size.
I also find it interesting that Sam McGuffie is the first white guy in the last 20 years who is being talked about as a legit top tier Half Back. He's too small to be a FB and he's a freak in track and field in the few events that blacks usually do better in (Didn't he win the long jump in the entire state of Texas and run a 10.4 100 meter?) so even caste whores like Nick Saban and Bobby Bowden can't call him slow or nonathletic. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
You can see that most of the white WR's are either tall or if they are 6'2 or under have to be an athletic freak ie. Kevin Curtis, Tim Dwight. At RB you have to be a big RB that can be listed as a "tweener" ie. Alstott, Leonard. If you are a CB like a Schweigert or Zbikowski you are made a saftey if you are big enough. But if you are shorter like Dustin Fox you end up being pushed out of the league. We can only hope Weddle holds up at Safety with his smaller size.
I also find it interesting that Sam McGuffie is the first white guy in the last 20 years who is being talked about as a legit top tier Half Back. He's too small to be a FB and he's a freak in track and field in the few events that blacks usually do better in (Didn't he win the long jump in the entire state of Texas and run a 10.4 100 meter?) so even caste whores like Nick Saban and Bobby Bowden can't call him slow or nonathletic. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
Thrashen
Hall of Famer
Welker is currently 8th in the NFL in recieving with 56 for 613 after 8 games. This puts him 113 yards over his quest for 1000 yards this season!
A good Wes Welker aritlce describing his versitiliy:
"The 5-foot-9 wide receiver is a jack-of-all-trades who can kick and return kicks if needed, though Patriots like him catching passes."
By Sam Farmer, ON THE NFL
October 26, 2007
FOXBORO, Mass. -- New England receiver Wes Welker is the Swiss Army Knife of NFL players: sleek, compact and outfitted for 101 uses.
The Patriots recognized his versatility long before they traded for him last spring, when they gave up more to acquire Welker -- generously listed at 5 feet 9 -- than they did for Randy Moss.
The Patriots, remember, are the team that once turned a receiver into a part-time cornerback, a linebacker into a part-time tight end, and a defensive tackle into a part-time fullback.
So how could they ignore Welker's do-it-all performance in a 2004 game against them, back when he was a no-name Miami special teamer? When Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare was injured during warmups, Welker stepped in and became the first player in NFL history to -- in one game -- return a punt and a kickoff, kick a field goal and extra point, and kick off.
"I didn't really think it was that big a deal until after the game and everybody started asking me about it," Welker said with a shrug Thursday before heading out to Patriots practice. "It's something I've been doing my whole life."
Welker might never line up for another kick, but that was just another surprising chapter in his unlikely career. Taking people off guard is his specialty.
He did it at Texas Tech when he got the last available scholarship, then went on to break several school and NCAA records. He did it in the NFL, when he wasn't drafted -- or even invited to the scouting combine -- yet three years later led the Dolphins in receptions.
And even now he's surprising people for the undefeated Patriots. He has 47 receptions -- third most in the league -- with 20 in the last two weeks. He doesn't have the blistering speed of fellow New England receivers Moss and Donte Stallworth, and, at 185 pounds, he's the lightest player on the team.
But Welker, who typically lines up in the slot and already has a career-high five touchdown catches, has emerged as a not-so-secret weapon for one of the league's two unbeaten teams.
Either Welker is an ideal fit for New England's offensive system, or he's someone most every NFL scout simply missed because he didn't have the so-called measurables, such as an eye-popping time in the 40-yard dash or a stratospheric vertical leap.
Washington Coach Joe Gibbs, whose team plays at New England on Sunday, called Welker "one of those great stories that amaze me."
"This is an example," Gibbs said, "of somebody that everybody looked at and said 'no,' or, 'This guy's not going to be a top-flight whatever.' "
It seems the only person who never doubted Welker -- aside from his friends and family -- was Welker.
Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach likes to tell the story of Welker, a thick-legged onetime soccer standout from Oklahoma City, strutting around before his first college practice. He was surrounded by fellow freshmen who were tall and sculpted with an unsure look in their eyes. They worried about whether they were cut out for Red Raiders football. Not so for Welker, who, depending on the situation at Oklahoma high school powerhouse Heritage Hall, played running back, receiver, safety, kicker and returner.
"Wes was this little, short guy who had his chest puffed out like the chicken hawk on that old Foghorn Leghorn cartoon," Leach said. "And by the third game, he was one of our starting receivers."
Over the next four seasons, Welker set school records with 259 receptions for 3,069 yards, and NCAA marks with 1,761 yards in punt returns and eight punt returns for touchdowns.
His college teammates nicknamed him "The Natural" and marveled at Welker's toughness. Because of a nasty case of turf toe, he spent nearly every waking hour wearing a protective plastic boot -- except when he was practicing or playing in a game.
NFL scouts weren't overly impressed. After he was ignored in the draft, Welker signed a free-agent deal with San Diego. The Chargers cut him after the first week of the 2004 season.
Tampa Bay offered him a spot on its practice squad, and Welker was ready to join the Buccaneers. But Miami personnel men Rick Spielman and George Paton wanted Welker, too, and countered by promising him a spot on their 53-man roster. They sealed the deal by having linebacker Zach Thomas, a Texas Tech alum, call Welker and urge him to sign.
He spent the better part of three seasons with the team, yet, even after his breakout season last fall, didn't win over everyone in the organization. When he became a restricted free agent in the spring, the Dolphins made a modest effort to keep him, offering him a one-year deal worth $1.35 million. The Patriots traded their 2007 second- and seventh-round picks for him.
"Any time you feel wanted it definitely gives you a confidence," Welker said. "You know this team wants you here, you're surrounded by great players and great coaches, and it kind of gives you a different outlook."
So, for a guy who can handle a slew of different jobs on the football field, there's one clear message:
He's wanted. At last."
The writer makes a good point when he says the Pats gave up alot more to get Welker than to get Moss. Bellichick must have really pushed hard to get Welker, that makes me happy.
Edited by: Thrashen
A good Wes Welker aritlce describing his versitiliy:
"The 5-foot-9 wide receiver is a jack-of-all-trades who can kick and return kicks if needed, though Patriots like him catching passes."
By Sam Farmer, ON THE NFL
October 26, 2007
FOXBORO, Mass. -- New England receiver Wes Welker is the Swiss Army Knife of NFL players: sleek, compact and outfitted for 101 uses.
The Patriots recognized his versatility long before they traded for him last spring, when they gave up more to acquire Welker -- generously listed at 5 feet 9 -- than they did for Randy Moss.
The Patriots, remember, are the team that once turned a receiver into a part-time cornerback, a linebacker into a part-time tight end, and a defensive tackle into a part-time fullback.
So how could they ignore Welker's do-it-all performance in a 2004 game against them, back when he was a no-name Miami special teamer? When Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare was injured during warmups, Welker stepped in and became the first player in NFL history to -- in one game -- return a punt and a kickoff, kick a field goal and extra point, and kick off.
"I didn't really think it was that big a deal until after the game and everybody started asking me about it," Welker said with a shrug Thursday before heading out to Patriots practice. "It's something I've been doing my whole life."
Welker might never line up for another kick, but that was just another surprising chapter in his unlikely career. Taking people off guard is his specialty.
He did it at Texas Tech when he got the last available scholarship, then went on to break several school and NCAA records. He did it in the NFL, when he wasn't drafted -- or even invited to the scouting combine -- yet three years later led the Dolphins in receptions.
And even now he's surprising people for the undefeated Patriots. He has 47 receptions -- third most in the league -- with 20 in the last two weeks. He doesn't have the blistering speed of fellow New England receivers Moss and Donte Stallworth, and, at 185 pounds, he's the lightest player on the team.
But Welker, who typically lines up in the slot and already has a career-high five touchdown catches, has emerged as a not-so-secret weapon for one of the league's two unbeaten teams.
Either Welker is an ideal fit for New England's offensive system, or he's someone most every NFL scout simply missed because he didn't have the so-called measurables, such as an eye-popping time in the 40-yard dash or a stratospheric vertical leap.
Washington Coach Joe Gibbs, whose team plays at New England on Sunday, called Welker "one of those great stories that amaze me."
"This is an example," Gibbs said, "of somebody that everybody looked at and said 'no,' or, 'This guy's not going to be a top-flight whatever.' "
It seems the only person who never doubted Welker -- aside from his friends and family -- was Welker.
Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach likes to tell the story of Welker, a thick-legged onetime soccer standout from Oklahoma City, strutting around before his first college practice. He was surrounded by fellow freshmen who were tall and sculpted with an unsure look in their eyes. They worried about whether they were cut out for Red Raiders football. Not so for Welker, who, depending on the situation at Oklahoma high school powerhouse Heritage Hall, played running back, receiver, safety, kicker and returner.
"Wes was this little, short guy who had his chest puffed out like the chicken hawk on that old Foghorn Leghorn cartoon," Leach said. "And by the third game, he was one of our starting receivers."
Over the next four seasons, Welker set school records with 259 receptions for 3,069 yards, and NCAA marks with 1,761 yards in punt returns and eight punt returns for touchdowns.
His college teammates nicknamed him "The Natural" and marveled at Welker's toughness. Because of a nasty case of turf toe, he spent nearly every waking hour wearing a protective plastic boot -- except when he was practicing or playing in a game.
NFL scouts weren't overly impressed. After he was ignored in the draft, Welker signed a free-agent deal with San Diego. The Chargers cut him after the first week of the 2004 season.
Tampa Bay offered him a spot on its practice squad, and Welker was ready to join the Buccaneers. But Miami personnel men Rick Spielman and George Paton wanted Welker, too, and countered by promising him a spot on their 53-man roster. They sealed the deal by having linebacker Zach Thomas, a Texas Tech alum, call Welker and urge him to sign.
He spent the better part of three seasons with the team, yet, even after his breakout season last fall, didn't win over everyone in the organization. When he became a restricted free agent in the spring, the Dolphins made a modest effort to keep him, offering him a one-year deal worth $1.35 million. The Patriots traded their 2007 second- and seventh-round picks for him.
"Any time you feel wanted it definitely gives you a confidence," Welker said. "You know this team wants you here, you're surrounded by great players and great coaches, and it kind of gives you a different outlook."
So, for a guy who can handle a slew of different jobs on the football field, there's one clear message:
He's wanted. At last."
The writer makes a good point when he says the Pats gave up alot more to get Welker than to get Moss. Bellichick must have really pushed hard to get Welker, that makes me happy.
Edited by: Thrashen
Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
Bart, thats what I thought when I read it too. Simply incredible!
A few nice comments in this article about Welker. I had to laugh at the last line of the paragraph.
[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ag2WfNh6EA3ibS9fwJmVdb vxxLsF?slug=weekprimerpatriotsatcolt&prov=tsn&type=l gns[/url]
That brings us back to the middle of the field. Let's start with Welker. There's a reason the Patriots stole him from the Dolphins. He's like what Brandon Stokley used to be for Indy -- a tough little possession/slot receiver at 5-9, 185, with great hands and the sudden burst to explode downfield after the catch. He'll be busy underneath the Colts' zone, especially on third down, where every conversion to keep scoring drives alive will be precious. The Colts have been getting some great physical play from corners Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden, but they will have trouble with Welker's sneaky speed.
[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ag2WfNh6EA3ibS9fwJmVdb vxxLsF?slug=weekprimerpatriotsatcolt&prov=tsn&type=l gns[/url]
That brings us back to the middle of the field. Let's start with Welker. There's a reason the Patriots stole him from the Dolphins. He's like what Brandon Stokley used to be for Indy -- a tough little possession/slot receiver at 5-9, 185, with great hands and the sudden burst to explode downfield after the catch. He'll be busy underneath the Colts' zone, especially on third down, where every conversion to keep scoring drives alive will be precious. The Colts have been getting some great physical play from corners Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden, but they will have trouble with Welker's sneaky speed.
Sneaky speed.
I feel sorry for those corners. How would they know Welker is fast? His skin is white so they would have no idea whatsoever that he can run so well. It's really unfair. Another example of the Patriots cheating. Welker should tint his skin brown so the corners have some kind of warning.
I feel sorry for those corners. How would they know Welker is fast? His skin is white so they would have no idea whatsoever that he can run so well. It's really unfair. Another example of the Patriots cheating. Welker should tint his skin brown so the corners have some kind of warning.
Welker shows some grit.
I'm sure he's been the recipient of a lot of trash talk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y7d7M3xUWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y7d7M3xUWk
Thrashen
Hall of Famer
Whoa! I can't believe a white player actually returned the constant trash talking that occurs throughout even the most patheticly average plays in an NFL game.
Welker's play was anything but average, it sealed the game in front of a national audience of caste-loving white loser fans! HAHA, it made me so happy!
I'm starting to really despise the Colt's caste defense, Dwight Freeney is a joke, and simply couldn't hang against a superior tackle in Matt Light.
Welker's play was anything but average, it sealed the game in front of a national audience of caste-loving white loser fans! HAHA, it made me so happy!
I'm starting to really despise the Colt's caste defense, Dwight Freeney is a joke, and simply couldn't hang against a superior tackle in Matt Light.
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
True, the Colts D is disproportionately black. The Colts are still the whitest team in the league though, so you got to figure that the many young white reserve players like Matt Giordano are in the teams future plans with guys like Bob Sanders gettin up there in age. I hope Dungy doesn't turn on his idea that whites are unfairly slotted out of many positions and continues to advocate the drafting of at least a few white caste position players. I heard Dungy was the one who pulled the most for drafting Anthony Gonzalez this year at WR.Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
ToughJ.Riggins said:
Bob Sanders is only in his fourth season. . . The Colts do have a lot of white backup defensive players for the NFL; it will probably take a slow increase in the number of white players in the league overall for the Colts to get whiter than they are now.
BTW, the Colts were already among the least black teams before Dungy was hired. The main architect of Indy's roster has been GM Bill Pollian. Pollian also oversaw the Bills when they went to four straight Super Bowls and were also the least black team in the NFL each of those seasons.
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Really? I could have sworn Bob Sanders was an oldie like Rodney Harrison of the Pats. I guess I'm wrong; thanks for the info. Giordano may have to start at the other Safety spot in the future or for another team.
As for Dungy I still have a lot of respect for him b/c he was willing to run Alstott as a power runner in a duel threat backfield with Dunn. He also clearly was quoted as saying that stereotyping plays a role in slotting whites out of positions like HB starting at the lower levels.
And in a draft interview on ESPN he had lots of great things to say when evaluating the Anthony Gonzalez pick and it sounded to me like he was one of the driving forces behind the pick along with Pollian. He said something about how incredibly quick off the line Gonzalez is and that they see him in the slot for present and as a future replacement for Harrison. He said we were glad he was still available at pick 32 b/c he was a guy we really had our eyes on. Sounded like they may have even had him as number 2 on their WR board after Calvin. I didn't actually directly hear that Dungy was the one who pulled the hardest for the Gonzalez pick, but from the interview on draft day, knowing little about Pollian and Dungy's past history I conjecturally assumed it to be true.Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
As for Dungy I still have a lot of respect for him b/c he was willing to run Alstott as a power runner in a duel threat backfield with Dunn. He also clearly was quoted as saying that stereotyping plays a role in slotting whites out of positions like HB starting at the lower levels.
And in a draft interview on ESPN he had lots of great things to say when evaluating the Anthony Gonzalez pick and it sounded to me like he was one of the driving forces behind the pick along with Pollian. He said something about how incredibly quick off the line Gonzalez is and that they see him in the slot for present and as a future replacement for Harrison. He said we were glad he was still available at pick 32 b/c he was a guy we really had our eyes on. Sounded like they may have even had him as number 2 on their WR board after Calvin. I didn't actually directly hear that Dungy was the one who pulled the hardest for the Gonzalez pick, but from the interview on draft day, knowing little about Pollian and Dungy's past history I conjecturally assumed it to be true.Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
Thrashen
Hall of Famer
Wes will only need to average 58 yards / game receiving to get 1,000 yards on the season! Basically, he has 6 games to get 349 yards!
Prediction, Wes Welker wins superbowl MVP come February...
OTHER POSSIBLE 1,000 YARD SEASONS:
*Kevin Curtis will only need to average 57 yards / game, with 6 games, to reach 1,000 yards! Not too bad considering how many terrible games McNabb has had this season.
*Jason Witten needs to average 62 yards through 6 games
* Kevin Walter needs 76 yards / game through 6 games
*Jeremy Shockey needs 85 yards / game through 6 games
*Owen Daniels needs 88 yards / game through 6 games
Do you guys remember the last season when this many of OUR players had a great chance at 1,000 yards?Edited by: Thrashen
Prediction, Wes Welker wins superbowl MVP come February...
OTHER POSSIBLE 1,000 YARD SEASONS:
*Kevin Curtis will only need to average 57 yards / game, with 6 games, to reach 1,000 yards! Not too bad considering how many terrible games McNabb has had this season.
*Jason Witten needs to average 62 yards through 6 games
* Kevin Walter needs 76 yards / game through 6 games
*Jeremy Shockey needs 85 yards / game through 6 games
*Owen Daniels needs 88 yards / game through 6 games
Do you guys remember the last season when this many of OUR players had a great chance at 1,000 yards?Edited by: Thrashen
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
That was the exactly the point of my lofty expectation post. I predicted this would happen; with Curtis, Welker and Witten having Romo throwing him the ball and others in better situations I figured there would be a big season for many of our guys! I also thought Bennett would come up big, but that hasn't happened in the porous Rams offense. The Matt Jones prediction was just wishful thinking, I actually doubted that one would happen!
whiteafflete15
Guru
and with those kind of numbers is wes going to make teh pro bowl??? you bet he's not. good thign the probowl has become sort of a joke in recent years. who knows what these fans are thinking. they clearly can't see who the real playermakers are though, that's for sure.
White Shogun
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2005
- Messages
- 6,285
I'm with the whiteafflete on this one. Welker in the pro bowl? I'll believe it when I see it.
I can come up with about six to eight wide receivers in the AFC who I think would make the Pro Bowl over Welker, and in most cases it has nothing to do with how well they played this year.
I can come up with about six to eight wide receivers in the AFC who I think would make the Pro Bowl over Welker, and in most cases it has nothing to do with how well they played this year.