Patriots fans may be excited for this weekend, but it looks like the the level of excitement they may have may not be anywhere near where Wes Welker's is.
 Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker is excited for the season to begin. (PHOTO:Icon/SMI) |
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com points out that Welker spoke to the media on Friday, and after an offseason of rehabilitation following his knee injury in last year's final regular season game, Welker says this is the moment he's been waiting months for. According to the veteran receiver his preseason return was one thing, but this one's totally different.
"It will mean a lot, because this is what I've been working towards this whole time and making sure I was out here for Week 1," he told reporters Friday. "Every day we're a little bit closer. I just can't wait. I'm excited to get out there."
Welker also said that he has his "whole family coming to town", so he's expecting it to almost feel like his first game all over again.
Considering what he's accomplished in such a short period of time, his recovery has already been nothing short of remarkable. His torn ACL had many even predicting he'd start the year on the 'Physically Unable to Perform' list, which would have caused him to miss the first six weeks of the season.
Instead he started camp on active PUP back on July 27th, but was taken off of it on August 1st and sat out the first preseason game, but played in each one thereafter. He finished the preseason with 5 catches for 75 yards, 39 of which came on one play against the Rams in the third exhibition game.
Now he's ready for the regular season, which is good news for Patriots fans who have been waiting months to see him back on the field in a meaningful game.
One other note on Welker, be sure and tune in for NFL countdown this weekend, as Kenny Mayne is featuring Welker in this week's "Mayne Event". According to a press release from ESPN Mayne's concept for Welker's speedy recovery is that he "made a deal with the devil".
Needless to say be sure and check it out, I'm guessing it should be pretty entertaining.
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