To correct one point in the article, Randy Moss was traded during the 2010 season when Josh McDaniels was still the head coach of the Broncos. It was Bill O'Brien (and probably Bill Belichick) who rebuilt the offense into the juggernaut it was down the stretch of that season.
Think about it. A Hall-of-fame receiver was traded, and the offense actually got better. How many of us thought that was going to happen at the time. I think the Patriots offense can actually get better in 2013 without Welker just like it got better in 2010 without Moss.
This is how: Welker is a slot receiver, but he's very limited in his effectiveness when lined up outside. You can only have so many receivers running inside routes, so this forced one of the tight ends (mostly Hernandez) to line up outside and run outside routes. He's better at it than Welker, but Hernandez is far more effective running inside routes. IF he stays healthy, Hernandez will be a suitable replacement for Welker inside. Then, all they have to do is sign, draft or develop an outside receiver who can exceed Hernandez's production outside preferably one who has enough speed to stretch the field, and you have a better more versatile passing offense- an offense which will be much harder to defend by packing the middle of the field
I'm not sure Julian Edelman is that outside receiver as Josh and Bill seemed to think last season before Hernandez's injury scuttled their plans, but it doesn't have to be Calvin Johnson or Mike Wallace either. Again, what's needed is someone(s) who can replace the production of Welker and Hernandez on outside routes. And, that may not take much.
Sure, the Patriots are taking a gamble letting Welker go. But, it could work out to their favor just like it did by trading Moss in 2010.