To rest or not to rest: does Wes Welker's injury change anything?
by MaPatsFan on Jan 4, 2010 11:14 AM EST
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PrintI have a very mixed bag of emotions at the moment. It's no secret Wes Welker is my absolute favorite Patriot. His personal journey into the NFL was one of heart and determination. Thought too small by every college except one, Texas Tech saw something in Wes that gave them a reason to open a spot for the 5'9" player. The same happened in the NFL. Waived by the Chargers and picked up by Miami who ultimately never had the right makeup to take advantage of his unique skill set. Coming to New England, it was very clear we had something special, a talent not often seen on the gridiron. During Tom Brady's recovery, Wes was one of the most critical players on the team while Brady got his confidence back; those high percentage, low yardage receptions were important to Wonderboy's mental state.
As a huge fan of Welker's, I'm sick to my stomach about his injury. I "know" how much of a competitor he is and I'm sure he's beside himself at the thought of not being in uniform for the playoffs. Like every true competitor, he wants the ball in his hands all the time; guys like that think they're the best option for the team's success and he's no exception. That is why it's even more devastating to think he may be out for most, if not all, of 2010. Brady was injured at the beginning of 2008 and had a full year to recover. While mobility is important to a QB, it's far more important to a guy like Welker. Wes will never be a 40 yard burner; his legs are just to small for that. But he IS jack rabbit quick and that requires incredibly fast changes in direction. To say those changes in direction put a strain on his knees is an understatement. You can kiss 2010 goodbye for Wes. I'm sick.
Now, for those criticizing Belichick's decision to start many key starters inluding Wes, hindsight is 20/20. There's no way Belichick could've predicted such a devastating injury and given that it wasn't even the result of a hit, Welker could've done this on the practice field. I've said many times over the past week that some guys should be rested (Vince Wilfork), but the vast majority should see some time in a game, no matter how meaningless. Why? I'm a firm believer that rhythm is important to maintain and can be lost if not properly cultivated. This takes reps. Maybe not a game's worth, but certainly a few series. Resting key starters, especially those at skill positions, is too dangerous, IMO. Keep them on the field as long as is needed to maintain that rhythm.
I'm sick over this, but strangely focused on the task at hand: preparing for Baltimore. Is Welker's loss devastating to the team? Could it severely impact our chances of making a run of it? Absolutely. But Hoodie and his minions get paid to figure these things out. They will do what they can with what they have. Welcome to the meat grinder, Julian Edelman.
My thoughts are with Wes and his family while he works through this injury. As much as I'm depressed about the loss of his contributions to the team, I'm more concerned for his well being.
We're all thinking about you, Wes! Here's to a speedy recovery.
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The Welker injury was disheartening on so many levels
Including the realization that he was the “heart” of the team, consistently playing all-out and giving everything that he had every play.
Occurring as it did in the first offensive series of the game for the Patriots, this injury wasn’t preventable or due in any way to a careless decision by Bill Belichick to leave in his starters too long yesterday. His cleat got caught in the turf as he cut. To me, it was amazing that he had gone this long at all without a serious injury and I thought the Patriots had caught a tremendous break when Welker only missed two games early in the season.
Without Welker, I still think the Patriots can beat the Ravens at home in Foxborough, but the coaching staff sure has its work cut out for them this week.
Keep the faith!
it's the type of injury
that could have happened on the practice field.
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
Marima, I agree with you completely.
It was just a fluke accident that while unfortunate, it wasn’t preventable. Great points!
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jan 4, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
completely agree
i was really upset to see it, but it was just a fluke. hope he can have a full recovery as soon as possible. but we now have to go out there and take care of the Ravens. go PATS
Nothing really changed
It was a freak accident not involving contact, so it can hardly be an argument against playing your starters. I also continue to believe in the need to maintain rythm and momentum, even though there will always be a risk of injury.
If anything, the problem was not playing him too much on sunday, but not giving him a bit more rest throughout the season.
I suppose it's time I chime in on this subject.
There were those folks that were saying Wes shouldn’t play against the Texans. I kept quiet, but I knew he would. If there was any way he could sneak onto the field, he would. Keep him on the sidelines is like trying to hold lightning in a bottle. Football isn’t just something that Wes does. It’s one of the ways he defines himself; it’s who he is. If he never gets to play another down, it will be a great loss not only to Wes, but to the game of football. Look up football player in the dictionary and there is Wes’ picture. Put me in coach; let me play. It’s harder to say which hurts worse right now, Wes’ knee or his heart knowing he can’t battle alongside his teammates. I’m guessing the latter.
I disagree a little with MaPatsFan, in that I don’t believe Wes wants the ball in his hands all the time. He wants to play all the time, but whether he is blocking for someone else, playing the decoy, or catching the ball he is contributing and helping his team. That is what defines Wes, not a give me the ball mentality. Of course, when the ball comes his way, he is a money player. First downs are his specialty. The land of the giants is his playground. He’s big enough to play the game, because he wills himself to be big enough to play the game. Two 260 lb linebackers between me and first down? Sucks to be them. That’s the mentality. All in every play.
Wes has already accomplished far more than anyone could expect. Too small and too slow to play in the NFL? How about leading the league in receptions three years running, a tie for most catches in the Super Bowl, three consecutive 110+ catch seasons with over 1000 yards, and two Pro Bowl selections. Can’t be done? Wes has heard all of that before, and instead listened to his own heart which said this is what he was born to do. Sometimes it takes a David to slay Goliaths. Will Wes return? Is his heart still beating? He’ll be back and if he has to redefine himself to do it, he will. Wes, my family is praying for your healing and peace during this time. Be well and God speed.
For the Patriots it’s simple. Man down, next man in. A football game is a battleground and when one man goes down, the next guy steps in. Will they be good enough? Who knows? The team rallied around Welker’s play a couple weeks ago, they can rally now and win on through for their fallen comrade. Time will tell. For now they’ve lost a player, but they’ve gained a voice on the sidelines to encourage and cheer them as they face the road ahead.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 4, 2010 12:12 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
I'm predicting Faulk & Edelman in the slot
And otherwise mostly the same offense. Its too late to change what 10 of 11 guys have been doing all year. They may add a wrinkle or two. Certainly I HOPE they continue the recent trend of actually throwing to the Tight Ends. But the basic offensive philosophy will continue to be based around Randy Moss.
Note – that doesn’t necessarily mean THROWING to Randy. But the offense works because if defenses don’t double Randy over the top they will give up a TD. Removing Welker doesn’t change that, and if anything, will probably result in even more ‘cheating’ to take out Randy. I will not be surprised on some plays to see BOTH safeties cheating towards Randy’s side of the field.
When that happens, somebody from Faulk, Edelman, Aiken, Watson or Baker is going to be wide open and Brady needs to find that guy.
We do need to TRY to target Randy to keep the defense honest, but the offense still has to work the middle underneath.
No Terrell Suggs this time, but Ed Reed will be there.
I can’t really say much about Wes that others haven’t said. I’m upset as much as anybody. I don’t expect to see him play until 2011 at the earliest. I’d rather just focus now on the Ravens.
It's a shame...
I really feel for Wes, and it is a horrible blow to the team to lose him. That said, I can’t really fault Belichick for playing him. Keeping the offensive rhythm going is extremely important, especially in the passing game, and the offense has struggled to establish a groove all year. If Welker had aggravated a previous injury, I might feel differently, but as so many have pointed out, this kind of thing could have happened in practice.
Resting starters (and forfeiting games) may end up working out well for some team this year (time will tell). But generally speaking, I think the risk of losing the ability to perform at a very high level due to time off is greater than the risk of injury to otherwise healthy players.
Food for thought: 4 of the last 5 Superbowl Champs did not have a bye week in the playoffs. Perhaps rest is overrated.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
Colts fan here
Saw the injury occur and just knew on the spot how devastating it likely was. It was even more disheartening to see how emotional Welker was on the sideline, because at that point you know HE knew it, too.
Hell of a player and although we have this little Pats-Colts rivalry, I never cheer an injury to another player. It’s not as satisfying to beat another team not playing their best…. last year’s win against a Cassel-led Patriots being another example.
Good luck to him and I know the Patriots have the depth to still be extremely dangerous in the playoffs.
How can you not love a team that does this?
Thanks. Injuries suck.
Welker is one of those players that transcend team boundaries. Sure fans hate it when he plays against their team, but most of them say they love Welker and have him on their fantasy teams. I can’t count the number of times someone has asked me if they could get Welker on their team. He is so much fun to watch play. The definition of a “heart” player. As one sports caster put it, “You can’t like the game of football, and not love a player like Welker.” Great line that says it all.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 4, 2010 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
well
there was the matter of his trash-talking one of our players in a 2005? playoff game, so I don’t think he’s a saint, but in general I see the skills and heart he has.
How can you not love a team that does this?
ah, come on
so what? I doubt the player he was mouthing off to is losing any sleep over over an opponent’s potty mouth.
Keep the faith!
2005 game? He would have been a Dolphin. Did the Dolphins make the playoffs in 2005 or 2006?
The only video I’ve seen is where he yelled at a guy “You F’ing Suck!”. I saw that game and the guy was taking cheap shots all game long, including trying to hold him on the ground and say crap to him after the play was over. Of course that side doesn’t get shown on You Tube.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 4, 2010 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
except Tim Tebow...he is the second coming of the Messiah
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
that's the one
sorry didn’t check facts, just remember the scene
meh – never said anyone was a saint, just saying that I disagree with the statement, “You can’t like the game of football and not love a player like Welker.” I respect him. I don’t love him.
How can you not love a team that does this?
2007 Regular Season Game
Kelvin Hayden was trash talking like most DB’s do. Welker burned him on a route for a critical 1st down and yelled that which was recorded by a Colts fan (at home – probably pissed because they lost the game) and broadcast all over the world. Heat of the moment thing and the only time I’ve ever seen anything like it.
Own it if you want to. If Marvin Harrison had said that to someone, it wouldn’t bother me.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 4, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
I'm a little touchy about that because there are tons of blogs talking about Welker's injury
and every one of them has someone bringing up that quote as a reason to laugh at Welker’s injury. I realize you weren’t doing that, but if I seem a bit terse that’s the reason.
As long as guys are fighting on the field, there’s going to be trash talk and idiots that record it for their own ends.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 4, 2010 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
fair enough
hope my sentiment isn’t lost in that little skirmish, though… I really don’t like to see players go down
How can you not love a team that does this?
Here are my thoughts on the Welker injury:
Happened on the 4th offensive play and he injured himself without taking a hit, its the kind of thing that could have happened at practice. Now, I wanted BB to rest the starters after the 1st quarter but even if he had followed that, Welker would still have been injured. Its just one of those freak injuries where you really can’t do much about it. I just hope that Welker never wears those same cletes again.
Now, while his injury is devestating, I also think that championship teams need to have depth. Depth is the reason the Steelers are NOT a championship team this year. Losing one player, other than the QB, should never completely derail a team. If the Pats cannot overcome Welker’s injury then they are no better than the Steelers being unable to overcome Polomalu’s injury, meaning, they are not a championship team.
Personally, I do not think the Pats are the Steelers. I think the Patriots ARE a championship caliber team. They have more depth than the Steelers and are better coached than the Steelers so they should be able to overcome Welker’s injuries. Edelman needs to step up, Brady needs to step up, the running backs need to step up, Bill O’Brien needs step up and the tight ends need to step up.
I think that Welker’s injury has given the Patriots offense a certain forced unpredictability now that the coaching staff needs to take advantage of. Either the coaching staff and players will evolve or they will sink. If the Pats don’t go anywhere in the playoffs lets not say it was because Welker was injured but rather that this Pats team wasn’t as deep or as well coached as we thought it was. We are not the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers, one man does not make our team.
BB is blaming the crappy turf
i dont know if Houston uses artificial turf or grass
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Grass
but it was pretty beat up. They sprayed-painted the brown areas green for the game.
Keep the faith!
i'm suprised they dont go to Field Turf like most dome teams
heck NE uses Field Turf….i saw the game and the turf looked bad for a field that doesn’t get rained on
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
I think the mistake was playing the stars in this game and risking injury
Brady Welker and Moss would not have seen the field if I was coach
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Problem with that is that if they didn't see the field
Then they would enter a playoff game without having been in a full-intensity game in two full weeks. Not only does that risk rust to your cotton-wool guys Brady, Moss and Welker, but throwing the next tier guys in for a full game when they aren’t used to it – Hoyer, Aiken, Edelman, Stanback – risks injuries to them. An injury to Hoyer means the Pats need to bring in a nobody QB to the squad; and injury to Aiken or Edelman means both the offence and special teams units suffer. Either way, you’re screwed. At least by putting Moss, Brady and Welker out there they keep the continuity of the entire team. If Moss, Welker or Brady got injured, the next guy slots into a working unit. It’s not ideal, but at least only one unit is effected and not all of them.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Sitting Brady, Welker and Moss sends the wrong message to the other players
So, Brady is too valuable to risk, but the center isn’t? Those two wide receivers might get hurt but what about the rookies? Do they matter? The TEs on this team already block their brains out every game, should they go all out and risk themselves when the coach already deems it a game he doesn’t really care about (because, after all, he sit his best players.) Anyone too valuable to play on defense that they don’t want to risk?
Keep the faith!
To be fair, there are 2 quarterbacks
but only 1.5 centers.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 5, 2010 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
Good Point +1
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 5, 2010 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Just saying there's a fine line with some players/positions
1.5 centers notwithstanding
Keep the faith!
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