Welker says he regrets making foot-related comments

[Disco Volante]

ESPN: Wes Welker says he regrets his foot-related comments

Yeah, sure I do. I'm not going to get into any details about it, but I don't think it's worth putting coach in that situation. So in a sense, I do regret it. As much as you might want to get enticed into that stuff, at the end of the day, it's just not worth it.

It's not always easy to keep a lid on it. I like the fact we don't get caught up in all that stuff. At the end of the day, it's about football. That's what it's supposed to be about. That's all that matters. It's concentrating on your job and what you do, and not concentrating on the riff-raff that goes with all that other stuff. It's about the team and going out there and playing good football. And not getting caught up in all the media hype. It's just not worth it.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

He shouldn't regret it. It wasn't a big deal at all and I don't think he should have been benched.

 

[Ron Sellers]

Perhaps it shouldn't have been a big deal, but it did become one.

All week long the Jets were trying to bait the Patriots into a public war of words. The media desperately wanted the Pats to respond too. Welker gave them what they wanted. The Jets immediately turned it around, playing the disrespect card, whipping themselves into a frenzy of additional adrenaline and motivation. I am sure Welker's words were brought up in the final pre-game meeting.

It was really a page out of Belichick's book. The Patriots would find something, anything to use the disrespect card for additional motivation against an opponent - even when they were 17-2 in 2003 and 2004.

I'm not suggesting Welker's words were the difference between a win and a loss, but there was a reason why the Patriots were given orders to not say anything other than bland compliments. Why give your opponent a possible extra incentive?

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

I like what happened. I like that our coach had the moral toughness to stick to his principles even in a playoff game against probably his most hated rival.

Seems like some of us want our team to be like the Jets, where the inmates run the asylum.

I loves me some White Wes and on a personal level I feel bad that he was benched, but no one is above the law on this team and that's the way I like it.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I like what happened. I like that our coach had the moral toughness to stick to his principles even in a playoff game against probably his most hated rival.

Seems like some of us want our team to be like the Jets, where the inmates run the asylum.

I loves me some White Wes and on a personal level I feel bad that he was benched, but no one is above the law on this team and that's the way I like it.

Agreed.

And, I might add, there is no f***ing way this team goes even 12-4, let alone 14-2, with an "inmates" approach.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

i'm wondering if this mea culpa is directed toward bb.

 

[townes]

I like what happened. I like that our coach had the moral toughness to stick to his principles even in a playoff game against probably his most hated rival.

Seems like some of us want our team to be like the Jets, where the inmates run the asylum.

I loves me some White Wes and on a personal level I feel bad that he was benched, but no one is above the law on this team and that's the way I like it.

Agree completely, even though it was comical he didn't leave Belichik much choice because it was directed at an opposing coach, and Belichik had to find a meaningful way to deal with it, which he did.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Welker is one of a few vets left on a very young team if BB dose not sit him for what was only a few plays ( and did not cost the pats the game )then all the young guys think they can run there mouth... good for you BB

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Welker is one of a few vets left on a very young team if BB dose not sit him for what was only a few plays ( and did not cost the pats the game )then all the young guys think they can run there mouth... good for you BB

I did not support BB's action but if he decided it was important to stifle the threat of an emerging culture of mouthing off by young players then maybe it had some merit.

 

[goheels22002]

Dear Wes,

Your heartfelt apology touched us all from tops of our heads to the soles of our feet. We really got a kick out of your comments when you delivered them during the bye week. But we're very sorry that Belichick made you feel like a heel on game day.

In your ESPN apology, you referred to the riff-raff that are not really about FOOT-ball. We presume you were referring to Coach Ryan, who is less riff-raff and more toe-jam, in our estimation.

In spite of the turmoil that arose after you put your best foot forward, all is forgiven, Wes, old friend. We sincerely wish you a great off-season in which you kick off your shoes, put up your feet, and heel up in preparation for giving the NY Jets and the rest of the NFL a real kick in the ass in 2011-12.

Solemates Forever,

The Wes Welker Foot Club
The first rule of foot club is never talk about foot club.

 

[townes]

Welker is one of a few vets left on a very young team if BB dose not sit him for what was only a few plays ( and did not cost the pats the game )then all the young guys think they can run there mouth... good for you BB

Again, agree completely. Much of what Belichik did over the past year was to re-establish a leadership presence in the lockerroom that acted in the ways Belichik wants them to act, which is what he had with the Dynasty of the 90's with McGinest, Bruschi, Harrison etc...., and he wants the current leaders, Brady, Wilfork, Welker etc... to always react and conduct themselves in the ways he wants them to, and he had to discipline Welker to make it clear to the leaders and younger players alike that anyone who goes outside of those expectations is going to pay a price for it.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Don't get why he was allowed to field the first punt then. Benched for offense but not for ST's, that part didn't make sense to me especially when Edelman is just as capable.

 

[townes]

Don't get why he was allowed to field the first punt then. Benched for offense but not for ST's, that part didn't make sense to me especially when Edelman is just as capable.

It may be that he felt that sitting him for the first drive was enough with no need to pile on or it may be that he used him to field the kick-off because he wouldn't be going out for the drive.

 

[upstater1]

I agree with Wilfork, i didn't like Belichick benching him, and I thought Welker was funny. in retrospect, after the loss, I still think Welker should have been punished some other way, but more importantly, I think Wes's joking spoke to the Patriots overconfidence that they would handle the Jets again.

In the past, when the Patriots had their backs against the wall, you didn't hear a peep from them.

Welker's sly joking was similar to Brady's "Aw shucks just 17 points?" before the 2007 Super Bowl. They were perhaps a bit too overconfident.

 

[Rob0729]

I commend Wes for admitting when he thinks he is wrong, but he really should have left this line out of his comments, "I just want to appologize to Rex Ryan for my comments. I really put my foot in my mouth during that press conference."

 

[Triumph]

Unreal

All the Jets and Ryan do is bad mouth the Pats every chance they get and Welker is apologizing.

 

[townes]

Unreal

All the Jets and Ryan do is bad mouth the Pats every chance they get and Welker is apologizing.

Welker is smart enough to realize that what the jets do or don't do has nothing to do with what he does.

 

[BigEZPatsFan76]

Unreal

All the Jets and Ryan do is bad mouth the Pats every chance they get and Welker is apologizing.

Exactly, my sentiment as well. What Welker did with little digs is NOTHING compared to the constant incessant remarks that Ryan makes going after Tom Brady every time you turn around. If I were Welker, and Belichick told me to "apologize" to Ryan, that is where I would draw the line. I'd tell Belichick if you want an "apology" given to Rex Ryan, then DO IT YOURSELF !!!!



EZ76

 

[blackglass3]

Exactly, my sentiment as well. What Welker did with little digs is NOTHING compared to the constant incessant remarks that Ryan makes going after Tom Brady every time you turn around. If I were Welker, and Belichick told me to "apologize" to Ryan, that is where I would draw the line. I'd tell Belichick if you want an "apology" given to Rex Ryan, then DO IT YOURSELF !!!!



EZ76

Don't take this the wrong way, but I am glad none of that happened. I am also glad you're not the coach and Belichick is.

 

[BigEZPatsFan76]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I am glad none of that happened. I am also glad you're not the coach and Belichick is.

Well, good for you then. I appreciate your "honesty".




EZ76