APIt’s no secret that Wes Welker’s long-term future in New England might not be secure.
But for now, quarterback Tom Brady said his trustworthy slot receiver is still an integral part of the system, calling him “a huge part of this offense and what we do on a weekly basis.”
Welker was targeted 173 times last season, catching a league-high 122 passes. But he was targeted just five times last week, and Julian Edelman was taking some of his snaps.
“Every week is a little bit different,” Brady explained, via Tom Curran of CSNNE.com. “There are different opportunities on different weeks for different players. I think the thing that’s important to remember is that it’s a 16-game season. You start getting up there, and play [600] or 700 plays every year, when you need it most, you have to be fresh. I think that goes for all of us.
“There is really a fine line because you’re not pacing yourself by any stretch, but at the same time, ‘Look, it’s Week 1.’ We have a lot of football to play. We’re going to need everybody.”
Couple with Welker’s inability to get an extension beyond his $9.5 million franchise tender, there were concerns that last week was the first evidence he was being phased out, even though Edelman took a third of the snaps.
“There are going to be games where Wes has not as many opportunities, and games where he has a ton of opportunities,” said Brady. “It all depends on how the game may play out or the situation of the game. . . .
“I’m sure there won’t be too many games where he doesn’t get a lot of opportunity.”
Until he does, however, people are going to wonder.
Yeah he seemed like he was a huge part of it last week. Go Lions…Superbowl!
In fact…Lions will go 15-1…You know they will have that one game that gets out of hand…book it. World Champions.
I think Welker is going to be huge this season! I believe Brady is looking to feel out the other Wide Receivers making sure he can trust them instead of having Lloyd and Edelman be like OCHO before the big games arrive. Brady knows what he can expect from Welker and if Lloyd pans out then we will have a nice pair of wideouts and a nice double end set with Gronk and Hernandez with singleback! That is going to be mismatch hell for the defense if they bring in extra DB’s we will run it down your throat or you keep Linebackers in we will split our tight ends out and make you cover and if we love the matchups were going no-huddle and keeping your tired personel on the field. GO PATS!
Im surprised you are so confident. The Lions barely squeeked by last week. Shouldve lost that game.
Edelman is Welker Junior
Considering how much the Patriots care about what the media/ people are talking about, I’m sure that we’ll see a huge game from Welker next week just to shut everyone up. NOT
Very confident my friend. We just signed Calvin to a long term deal….this means we should win it for the next 8 years straight or so. Stafford for Prez!!
Lions are 8-10th in 5 different NFL power rankings…in the NFC. Hope they manage to make the playoffs, way easier to win the SB that way. Good thing they squeezed by one of the worst teams in the NFL at home last weekend.
I think we’re gonna see smaller numbers for all the receivers this year since the Patriots are going more for a balanced attack instead of pass pass pass and eventually run once before going back to the pass…We all know Welker’s role will increase from last game though as BB gameplans specifically for each game so just because someone isn’t used one game could mean they’ll be the #1 receiver next game
The Rams should trade for him. Put Bradford and Welker together, two OKC boys with talent.