Jerry Rice on Wes Welker

[MoLewisrocks]

Nice comments about their similarities. The field vision comment, how beyond athleticism or speed you have to know how to create space in the right place to allow your QB to target you. Rice says that was what made him the complete receiver...

Being productive when hurt is a huge component when talking contracts and extensions. They're all hurt, and they're mostly all tough and will at least attempt to play through injuries. But it's the guys who can play WELL in the process that have added value.

“A lot of guys can come in there and make plays and do all of that, but are they going to be able to be durable and last the entire season?” Rice said. “This guy has proven himself over and over again that he’s going to play through injuries. He’s going to be productive when he’s hurt. I think he really deserves the contract that they should give him.

“I don’t know what the hesitation is. And Wes is going to be, what, 32 (next offseason)? That’s when I was in my prime, and I felt I was playing my best football. I don’t think he’s getting old. I think he’s still durable and can go out there and make those plays.”

Welker has battled through an ankle injury for much of the season, and began yesterday’s practice on the stationary bike just to loosen it up. Yet, hit after hit and ankle roll after ankle roll, Welker routinely gets up and plays on.

“I think that’s the reason why we’re somewhat similar because I was able to tolerate a lot of pain but still be able to be focused and productive on the football field,” Rice said. “A lot of guys can’t play through pain, and he can.”

Wes Welker, Jerry Rice two of the same | Boston Herald

 

[signbabybrady]

To all the 9ers fans visiting this week WES IS BETTER!

 

[dales804]

High compliments from the best to do it. What has Welker missed since he became a Patriot, three games? I do want to see him back here next season (and beyond) and hope they can come to a deal, unlike this past offseason.

 

[patsfaninpa]

High compliments from the best to do it. What has Welker missed since he became a Patriot, three games? I do want to see him back here next season (and beyond) and hope they can come to a deal, unlike this past offseason.

Michael Irvin is a big Welker booster too. He's refreshingly blunt about it. Paraphrasing him. Everybody says he can't be that good. Need some big brother out there in order to be that good. But, Welker is good. Very good.

 

[Fencer]

The age/durability point is a good one.

I do think Welker will be hampered more as he ages by injuries he needs to play through. But if that's what's happening this season -- well, he's still a darned good receiver.

Returning to http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/981881-welkers-real-flaw.html, where we discussed that Welker has limited catching radius but is otherwise all-time elite -- he's going to have to learn how to keep catching reliably despite playing through the injuries that will be healing more slowly as he ages. But he sure still seems to have the ability to elude defenders both before and after the catch.

 

[Deus Irae]

The age/durability point is a good one.

I do think Welker will be hampered more as he ages by injuries he needs to play through. But if that's what's happening this season -- well, he's still a darned good receiver.

Returning to http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/981881-welkers-real-flaw.html, where we discussed that Welker has limited catching radius but is otherwise all-time elite -- he's going to have to learn how to keep catching reliably despite playing through the injuries that will be healing more slowly as he ages. But he sure still seems to have the ability to elude defenders both before and after the catch.

His so-called "limited catching radius" hasn't stopped him from being an all-time elite. He's the best slot receiver in the game. Again, you're claiming a flaw where there isn't one.

 

[kennyb]

I hope he signs at a reasonable price for the next year or two. But there are signs he's aging a bit. How many drops in the last game? Plus a dropped TD in the Miami game.

I hope he doesn't want to break the bank. Most receivers are about done at 32 which is what he'll be next May I think. 12M / 2 years he should be willing to take that.

 

[Fencer]

His so-called "limited catching radius" hasn't stopped him from being an all-time elite. He's the best slot receiver in the game. Again, you're claiming a flaw where there isn't one.

So the best of something is necessarily without flaw?

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm putting stupid words into your mouth, but I can't think of a non-stupid way to interpret what you're saying.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Michael Irvin is a big Welker booster too. He's refreshingly blunt about it. Paraphrasing him. Everybody says he can't be that good. Need some big brother out there in order to be that good. But, Welker is good. Very good.

I thought it was Randy Moss that made Welker good/productive

His so-called "limited catching radius" hasn't stopped him from being an all-time elite. He's the best slot receiver in the game. Again, you're claiming a flaw where there isn't one.

Agreed, Welker has all the traits you want in a slot receiver. and, he's the perfect fit for Brady who has some of the best accuracy of any QB in the game. While, Welker might not work our for less accurate QBs, there are plenty he could be good with. But, I'd say there is no better QB for him than Brady. They see the field about as similar as 2 people can

 

[Deus Irae]

So the best of something is necessarily without flaw?

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm putting stupid words into your mouth, but I can't think of a non-stupid way to interpret what you're saying.

I feel the same way about your post and that thread. You don't seem to understand what a flaw is. As I noted in the thread you needlessly chose to resurrect via linking, using your logic, you'd claim that Bill Russell was flawed because he was too tall to play point guard.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I feel the same way about your post and that thread. You don't seem to understand what a flaw is. As I noted in the thread you needlessly chose to resurrect via linking, using your logic, you'd claim that Bill Russell was flawed because he was too tall to play point guard.

Tom Brady is flawed because he isn't strong enough to play nose tackle. Vince Wilfork is flawed because he isn't quick enough to play wide receiver. Gronk is flawed because he isn't elusive enough to play running back.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I thought it was Randy Moss that made Welker good/productive

Agreed, Welker has all the traits you want in a slot receiver. and, he's the perfect fit for Brady who has some of the best accuracy of any QB in the game. While, Welker might not work our for less accurate QBs, there are plenty he could be good with. But, I'd say there is no better QB for him than Brady. They see the field about as similar as 2 people can

So does Wes need Brady more than Brady needs Wes?

 

[BTTA]

His so-called "limited catching radius" hasn't stopped him from being an all-time elite. He's the best slot receiver in the game. Again, you're claiming a flaw where there isn't one.

Catching radius isn't a flaw for him if he's being evaluated as a slot receiver. In this post, he's being evaluated as a receiver in general, against all of them, and in that context, it is a flaw. It is a weakness.

 

[Deus Irae]

Catching radius isn't a flaw for him if he's being evaluated as a slot receiver. In this post, he's being evaluated as a receiver in general, against all of them, and in that context, it is a flaw. It is a weakness.

Again, I don't think you understand what a flaw is.

 

[Fencer]

you'd claim that Bill Russell was flawed because he was too tall to play point guard.

No. I would, however, say that Bill Russell was flawed because of his questionable shooting ability (FT and FG alike) ... and that didn't stop me from advocating him as #1 on a list of all-time NBA greats, specifically RealGM • View topic - RealGM Top 100 List (my view didn't quite carry the day).

 

[Fencer]

Again, I don't think you understand what a flaw is.

I would say the same of you.

A flaw is an imperfection. Either you think Welker is perfect, or you think he has imperfections.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

I know if the GOAT was saying that about me, I would be pumped to go out there and prove it.

 

[IllegalContact]

His so-called "limited catching radius" hasn't stopped him from being an all-time elite. He's the best slot receiver in the game. Again, you're claiming a flaw where there isn't one.

you could see where the effects of that might be minimized by the guy throwing the ball

 

[patchick]

To all the 9ers fans visiting this week WES IS BETTER!

Come on now, dissing Jerry Rice? Even just to poke a stick at Niners fans? That's football blasphemy.

I had the good fortune to be living in the SF area during the Young-to-Rice years. It was a pleasure to watch those teams play.

 

[signbabybrady]

Tom Brady is flawed because he isn't strong enough to play nose tackle. Vince Wilfork is flawed because he isn't quick enough to play wide receiver. Gronk is flawed because he isn't elusive enough to play running back.

Dude WTF? Vince can do anything. He would make for one nasty WR and is quick enough to create seperation its just that he is an absolute beast at NT and we dont want to tire him out playing iron man football.