ctpatsfan77

Here's an interesting fact:

In 2006, with the illustrious Daunte Culpepper, Joey Harrington, and Gus Frerotte throwing the ball to him, Welker caught 67% of the 100 passes that the NFL says they threw his way.

In 2007, with TFB, Welker caught 77% of the passes in his direction--although a lot of the ones he didn't catch were, I believe, throwaway passes where he was the nearest receiver.

In 2008, with Cassel throwing the ball, that number is 75%.

So how much does that say about Welker, and how much does it say about Cassel? I simply don't know.

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PATSYLICIOUS

Welker gives his QB an extreme comfort level, the guy seems automatic underneath with 'easy' completions for decent gains. It's almost like those money plays on Madden that you can hit for a 5-7 yard gain everytime, just not AS automatic obviously. He may not be as valuable overall to the offense as Randy Moss, but IMO he's been the key this year Cassel's progression to the QB he is now. Without him I'm not sure where Cassel's confidence would have been by around week 6 where his abilities began to elevate and expand.

BradyFTW!

Welker definitely makes QBs better. That said, what Welker did with the Dolphins isn't totally applicable. Different personnel, different systems... different everything, pretty much.

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MrBigglesWorth

lets just look at the steelers game when they took a cheap shot and took welker out.

the offense stopped.

this offense goes as welker goes

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"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

signbabybrady

Good QBs need good WRs. I think it goes both ways.

Montana had Rice and Taylor and it goes on and on.

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jcdavey

i think the answer is BB is one of the greatest HCs of all time and can do amazing things with anyone at qb, and with a ton of injuries.

guys leave NE and 99% of the time are flops in other systems

Box_O_Rocks

It says they're good football players.

EDIT - Rethinking this:
-- Welker doesn't rely as much on the QB, as the QB relies on him.
-- Mattyice's short game is nearly as good as Tommy's.
-- NE did not change their offense.
-- And in the wake of the Kerry Byrne article crowning Moss team MVP; Moss is more reliant on the QB than Welker. (Incoming in 4..3..2...)

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ausbacker

It says Cassel puts the ball in the right areas for the receivers to make plays.

RayClay

Don't know about those statistics, but a reliable safety valve receiver helps any QB. I imagine he helps a young QB even more.

Compare Bledsoe with and without Coates.

The safety valve receiver saves a disaster and makes it a plus. Hard to overestimate that.

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Satchboogie3

I think his YAC ability makes him make Cassel even better. He can turn a screen or short pass into a big gain. The real answer, as mentioned, is both. Cassel has a great short passing game and Welker is the best slot receiver in the NFL. They both help each other be better.

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This is the year. We put our failures in the past, it's a new year, a new defense. It's time to prove to the league that the Patriots are back and aren't going anywhere and they will be the last ones standing in Feb.
Update: Well that didn't work out as I had planned. Next year baby, next year 19-0 we go. Next year.