Long overlooked, Welker takes center stage

Jan 28, 2008 - 10:14 PM By Doug Orth PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Following the draft-day acquisition of Randy Moss, the New England Patriots' trade for Wes Welker didn't generate a lot of attention as the team sought to overhaul its wide receiving corps. There is plenty of attention now.

As the Patriots continue their quest for a perfect season Sunday in Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants, they already are the proud owners of the most productive offense in NFL history.

While Tom Brady's 50 touchdown passes and Moss' 23 touchdown receptions continue to dominate the headlines, perhaps just as important have been the contributions of Welker, who finished the regular season with 1,175 yards receiving and eight TDs on 112 receptions.

Those numbers are in stark contrast to his first three seasons combined when Welker, a former undrafted free agent from Texas Tech, recorded just 96 receptions for 1,121 yards and a touchdown.

"I was in my first year in my career in the NFL returning kicks and punts, that was it, so I didn't even have a playbook or anything like that," Welker said. "It was 'get back there, return kicks and punts'.

"I thought I'd do that for the rest of my career and then I just worked hard and tried to develop the rest of my receiving skills, and it's kind of come to this."

Being overlooked is nothing new to Welker, who only received one Division I scholarship offer after a stellar 90-touchdown high school career. And that scholarship only became available after another player backed out of his commitment with Texas Tech.

In terms of the price paid with draft picks, Welker actually was one of the more expensive acquisitions New England has made since it started their dynastic run since the 2001-02 season, surrendering second- and seventh-round draft choices to the Miami Dolphins to acquire the 5-9, 195-pounder.

"We got him and we said, 'How did that happen?'," Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "To get a player like that, (for Miami) just give someone up like that. I don't think he's had a statistical year like he's had this year ... but I think we always considered him a threat and a guy that we had to focus on first and foremost when it came to the Miami Dolphins' passing offense."

By comparison, Moss, a four-time All-Pro, was available for a fourth-round selection from the Oakland Raiders. Even running back Corey Dillon, who holds the franchise mark for most rushing yards in a season for New England, was acquired for a second-round pick from the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2003-04 season.

On a team that values versatility perhaps more than any other, the smallish Welker is all of that and more.

Welker likely started leaving an indelible impression on his future employer in his first meeting against the Patriots in his rookie season during the 2004-05 season after signing with the Dolphins as a free agent following his release from the San Diego Chargers.

Pressed into service as Miami's kicker against the Patriots during that game, he converted a field goal and an extra point as well as continuing his return duties, becoming the first player in NFL history to record a punt return, a kickoff return, a field goal, an extra point and a kickoff in the same game.

Welker stung New England again two seasons later, posting a then-career-high nine receptions against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 8, 2006.

"I think his athletic ability is definitely underrated a lot," Patriots linebacker and fellow special teams standout Larry Izzo said. "He's very quick. He's strong. He breaks a lot of tackles. He has great hands and he has a lot of courage and heart. That's probably a big factor, too."

After being pestered by the all-around abilities of Welker for three seasons, the Patriots decided to acquire his services on March 5 as opposed to continuing to game plan for him twice a season.

Welker took little time to adjust to his new surroundings, setting his new career high for catches in a season (67) following New England's 10th game - a 56-10 rout of the Buffalo Bills.

"Combined with his speed and his quickness and his good hands, I think the one word you could use is 'savvy'," Bruschi said. "He knows where to find the open hole against a zone coverage or a man coverage, but there are all these little tricks that players use and he has a lot of those in his bag."

It's also fair to say the nerves that could have hindered Welker in first postseason experience have not slowed down his production at all. While the heavily-lauded Moss has been held to two catches for 32 yards during the playoffs, Welker has caught 16 passes for 110 yards and two TDs.

So, as the Patriots embark on the sixth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, Welker likely has had some time to reflect on what he left behind in Miami and embrace his role on a playoff team - his first - and a perennial winner.

"Anytime you can come into a new team like this and be able to get the confidence of your teammates and go out there and make plays week in and week out, it's been great," Welker said. "I feel like the offense really suits me, and having Tom Brady back there doesn't hurt, either."

Of course, he has been a quick learner to the 'Patriot Way' of handling expectations and the media.

"I think it's been a media hype around here all season, so I don't think it's anything new for us," Welker said. "I realize it's kind of picked up a little bit, but to tell you the truth, it's kind of been a circus around here all year.

"We just have to take it in stride and remain on the same course we've been on all year, make sure we're concentrating and focusing on the game and are ready for our execution out there on Sunday."