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Moss - Playing Soccer?!?!

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I'm sorry, I'm apologizing up front.  This story is, on the surface, about Moss, but I'm being sneaky.  Most of the PatsPulpit faithful know I have a ridiculous man crush on Wes Welker.  Against all odds, the little engine that can has become one of the most talented receivers in the NFL.  Don't believe me?  112 catches.  1,175 yards.  10.5 yard average.

We're all very much aware of Wes's ridiculous footwork.  He can make 90 degree jukes like noone I've ever seen, leaving DBs stunned.  Welker credits this ability to his love of soccer.  Requiring incredible footwork, extensive practice with a soccer ball generates heightened awareness of your feet and the ability to change direction rapidly:

Moss agrees. So impressed was he with what he saw from Welker last season, he's added his own soccer-specific drills to his training this offseason in Florida.

Welker had this to add:

We've kicked the ball around a little bit and I showed him some of the drills I've gone through," Welker said. "It's pretty impressive how he's gotten it in a short amount of time. He juggles it really well now, moves it around.

Moss's role is significantly different than Wes's role.  A great deal of Welker's routes are in the slot and underneath; fast footwork to get through razor thin seams is required and Wes is the best at it due to his footwork.  Moss, on the other hand, is typically running like a gazelle down the sidelines.  His body may not be built for the fast changes in direction Welker can pull off, but you never know - it could help him tremendously.

I predict many NFL receiver coaches will be adding drills like this after witnessing the success Welker has had.  They'd be idiots not to.  The Wes Welker Method.  And yet, somehow I still think Wes will remain humble:

I was talking to my parents about it and I told them, 'This is crazy - Randy is asking me about soccer so he can use it to make him better. We're talking about one of the best receivers in the NFL, and he's asking me?

The little engine that can.  You're not too bad yourself, Wes.  Not too bad at all.

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Comments

Display:

Welker

From a Colts fan’s perspective:

If anyone were to ask what I think of him, I’d say I hate that little bastard in real life, but I love him on my fantasy team. What else could a Pats fan ask for?

by ctnyc on May 23, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How true ;-)

I don’t know WHY Miami let him go, but I’m happy they did.

by MaPatsFan on May 23, 2008 3:23 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Poor QB Play

I drafted Welker before he became the break out star he was. During the draft I remember people asking me who the hell was Wes? As a phin fan I knew him, but didn’t know he was going to be that good so I eventually released him after his 2 bad games and regretted it. I still came in second and did beat the guy who picked him up off waivers, which worked out, but I was always struggling at receiver. Torry Holt and Tony G were my only constants and that was sad.

11

y not if im wrong who will remember

by qbinfin on Apr 27, 2008 3:27 PM PDT

by DolfinPhan on May 25, 2008 12:41 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL

I won my league in a land slide cause of this guy. I picked up moss in round 4, and welker in round 8. Talk about steals!

by Ogor on May 26, 2008 1:54 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

In our league

Moss didn’t go until the 9th round. We were laughing about it at the draft.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 26, 2008 8:51 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wonder...

...what round they’ll go in THIS year. ;-)

by MaPatsFan on May 26, 2008 9:16 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

Moss and Brady will both be first round picks most likely, with welker coming in around a 3rd.

by Ogor on May 26, 2008 9:32 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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