Opinion: Welker is in the plans for next year

[spacecrime]

I think there is a large misrepresentation that Welker is not in the plans for next year. With what is known about the injury and medical science I think there is every reason to believe he will be playing next year so why does no one include him in the plans when you talk about the position?

Because injury history and medical science give every reason why he will not be back next year.

Typical recovery time = 1 year. That puts him at the end of the season.

Except that Welker makes his living by planting and cutting hard, so expect him to take LONGER than typical.

Yes, I know he is a workout maniac and will work ferociously to be ready in time, just like Brady did. Except Brady was hurt in SEPTEMBER, not January, and even with a full year and not needing to use his knee like Welker will, Brady was still not himself.

Welker will likely go on PUP. It would be a major surprise if he even practices after his six week stint on PUP. Don't look for him to be activated.

 

[spacecrime]

Re: Welker is in the plans for next year

most ppl right now think he is a bust or a questionable pick...???

I do not get it?

I guess you haven't been here long, huh?

 

[PatsChamp88]

Re: Welker is in the plans for next year

Who is Welker?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I think the Patriots should approach this offseason like Welker is going to miss 2010 and just hope for the best after that. This is why I'm in favor of bringing in one stopgap type WR in addition to whatever they decide to bring in long-term. Also in that year, Tate and a potential 2010 draft pick can develop without being counted on to produce.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

That had zero to do with his torn ACL.

Z E R O.

How about his shoulder? The point is that something was bound to give considering all the punishment he took...

 

[BelichickFan]

How about his shoulder? The point is that something was bound to give considering all the punishment he took...

He was playing through his shoulder issue and it would have been fixed this offseason. It was irrelevant.

 

[signbabybrady]

The Colts were certainly in la-la land when they went into the season with Wayne, Gonzalez (3rd year), Garcon (2nd year with 4 total rec rookie year) and Collie (a rookie). And were absolutely screwed when Gonzalez got hurt in game 1.

The Patriots are set to go into the season with Moss, two 2nd-year players, Patten... at the very least, with Welker's return probable at SOME point. Maybe they'll make a trade, maybe they'll draft a guy, or maybe they are confident in Edelman and/or Tate as well as Welker's return.

Well Said.

 

[emoney_33]

Ah but unlike the Patriots, the Colts are really great at drafting WRs, even in the later rounds...CBs also. Maybe the Patriots have figured how to draft WRs with Reese, but it seems crazy that they did not go after more offense in FA and draft for defense which has been a strength.

Are you using TWO picks to determine this statement?

The Colts got Wayne and Gonzalez in the 1st round. Garcon in the 6th round of 08 and Collie in the 4th round of 09.

Garcon is nothing special as a receiver, but he is decent and was NEEDED in 2009. (Caldwell was NEEDED in 2006, but no one will claim he's that good with his 700+ yards in '06)

The Patriots got Branch in the 2nd, Givens and Edelman in the 7th. They also got Tate in the 3rd, but we have no idea how that will pan out.

If you want to judge by end-result what WRs drafted have worked out then fine. The Patriots may have failed more than the Colts with Bethel, Jackson, and I guess Sam but I disagree with the sentiment that the Colts are simply great at drafting WR and the Patriots suck at it. I think Bethel was the only "bad" pick of the group and I guess some would argue Sam (but that was the 5th round). Chad Jackson was an utter flop and failure but at the time EVERYONE thought he would turn into something.

The Colts didn't draft a WR for 5 years (02-06) either btw.

 

[Sivy]

Postive thinking brings you better results than negative thinking...Welker will be back next season week 1...and even if he misses the first 6 games, he will still lead the nfl in catches by week 16.

 

[VOODOOZF]

I think there is a large misrepresentation that Welker is not in the plans for next year. With what is known about the injury and medical science I think there is every reason to believe he will be playing next year so why does no one include him in the plans when you talk about the position?

We have four WR Welker, Moss, Edelman, Tate and we need to add depth as there is one spot to fill and likely another one (for the short term to start the season) and you don't know about Tate but it is not a blank slate we need to develope some things but we are not as dire as people would think

If (and it's a big if) Wes Welker is able to return at any point next season there is no way they can count on him to be any type of major contributor.

The type of injury he sustained is going to be extremely diffucult for him to rehab. If I were a betting man I'd bet that he physically makes it back in 2010, but he won't be the same player until 2011 at the earliest.

The more important question has to be, should he come back in 2010?

If I were the Patriots and the injury is as bad as reported I would very seriously consider sitting him for the entire season. This is a devastating injury that he may never recover fully from. What's the point of putting him out there at 80% for what is shaping up to be a middle of the road Patriots team?

I wish Wes Welker the absolute best in his rehab. He is everything that a Patriots player should be, but I am not bullish on him at all going forward.

 

[emoney_33]

The more important question has to be, should he come back in 2010?

If I were the Patriots and the injury is as bad as reported I would very seriously consider sitting him for the entire season. This is a devastating injury that he may never recover fully from. What's the point of putting him out there at 80% for what is shaping up to be a middle of the road Patriots team?

As I understand it, and I do NOT know first hand, one of the major humps about coming back from this type of injury is training yourself to trust your knee again. Once the strength is back and increased risk of injury gone, extra time away will only continue to hamper the regaining of confidence in his knee.

Or I have no idea what I'm talking about and that just sounded good, someone with more knowledge can chime in

 

[Kontradiction]

Ah but unlike the Patriots, the Colts are really great at drafting WRs, even in the later rounds...CBs also. Maybe the Patriots have figured how to draft WRs with Reese, but it seems crazy that they did not go after more offense in FA and draft for defense which has been a strength.

They're not great at drafting receivers, their offense is just ridiculously easy to learn. Forrest Gump could pick it up.

 

[RayClay]

As I understand it, and I do NOT know first hand, one of the major humps about coming back from this type of injury is training yourself to trust your knee again. Once the strength is back and increased risk of injury gone, extra time away will only continue to hamper the regaining of confidence in his knee.

Or I have no idea what I'm talking about and that just sounded good, someone with more knowledge can chime in

Don't know, but I've heard that too. However, in a serious knee injury like this for a player dependent on his legs, there is another factor I remember hearing. It was McGahee. It was said that full recovery, spring, flexibility, didn't come until year two.

So the WR or RB could play a year later, but not perform like before. For a lineman, or linebacker, not much difference.

 

[emoney_33]

Don't know, but I've heard that too. However, in a serious knee injury like this for a player dependent on his legs, there is another factor I remember hearing. It was McGahee. It was said that full recovery, spring, flexibility, didn't come until year two.

So the WR or RB could play a year later, but not perform like before. For a lineman, or linebacker, not much difference.

Yeah I absolutely do not expect Welker to be cutting in 2010 like he did in 2009. I do hope that the knee heals enough to be able to play in 2010 but I'm not expecting to see the incredible Welker that we're used to until 2011.

 

[onegr8om]

They're not great at drafting receivers, their offense is just ridiculously easy to learn. Forrest Gump could pick it up.

I'd take Forrest Gump over "Clay" Aiken! lol You know what, i bet Clay Aiken gets to more balls than Sam Aiken does anyhow.

 

[mgteich]

Why would we want Welker to come back before the knee is fully healed.

I hate to point this out, but Edelman may be a better choice at slot receiver in November than a partially healed Welker.

Yeah I absolutely do not expect Welker to be cutting in 2010 like he did in 2009. I do hope that the knee heals enough to be able to play in 2010 but I'm not expecting to see the incredible Welker that we're used to until 2011.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

I really think Brandon Tate is going to make or break our season. Edelman has shown flashes and we all know what Randy can do when he is healthy and motivated. And being a contract year for Moss, and more than likely his last year in New England where he has a chance to win a ring, he should have plenty of motiviation. If Brandon Tate can just solidify either the 3rd or 4th receiver role for this offense, similar to Jabar Gafney I think we can be a serious contending team. But if he spends his season hurt, or gets more setbacks or just doesnt produce its going to be trouble some without him.


Then again if we can draft a rookie that can fill those slots then by all means do it.

 

[Brady2Welker]

I really think Brandon Tate is going to make or break our season. Edelman has shown flashes and we all know what Randy can do when he is healthy and motivated. And being a contract year for Moss, and more than likely his last year in New England where he has a chance to win a ring, he should have plenty of motiviation. If Brandon Tate can just solidify either the 3rd or 4th receiver role for this offense, similar to Jabar Gafney I think we can be a serious contending team. But if he spends his season hurt, or gets more setbacks or just doesnt produce its going to be trouble some without him.


Then again if we can draft a rookie that can fill those slots then by all means do it.

I've come to this conclusion as well, I don't think well suddenly become 12-4 team, but I feel that if Tate becomes a decent third we might have arguably a better receiving corps assuming Edelman stays healthy.

I hope Welker takes Edelman under his arm this off-season and mentor him on getting low to avoid big hits etc.

 

[emoney_33]

Why would we want Welker to come back before the knee is fully healed.

I hate to point this out, but Edelman may be a better choice at slot receiver in November than a partially healed Welker.

When did I ever suggest playing before the knee is fully healed?

Once it is healed enough that it is not an added risk to re-injure, he should play because he needs to learn to trust the knee again as well disconnect the mind from it and learn to just play again.

Sitting out more time than is needed simply because he can't be 100% in his cuts will only lengthen the time it takes him to get back to that point.

And if Edelman is a better option in November I expect he'll play more. My post was to dispute the notion that they should shut Welker down for the year. Once his knee is ready to go he needs to get on the field, at the very least practice.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

the start of the season will be 9 months since his injury........

I think the best anyone can expect is that he is PUP'd and returns in mid season

even then, he will likely not be making the kind of moves he was making just prior to his injury......

some have healed a bit faster, but its what he has to do to be effective that will force him to take longer......