Lombardi reports Welker remains ahead of schedule

[Calciumee]

Does anyone think that Welker being ready week 1 could mean that Torry Holt gets cut? Seems like he was brought in to provide a proven possession type receiver with Wes out. If Wes is a go along with Moss & Edelman and the two young guys Tate & Price, it might be hard to keep Holt on the roster. I guess we'll have to wait and see how he fares in preseason.

Holt is there to hopefully be the 3rd receiver that can benefit from Welker and Moss being covered heavily.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If this is the way it is and the way it stays (I like Lombardi's resources), BelichickFan would have been pretty much the only one among us right all along.

I know you young'uns like to keep score on most everything, but there were several of us who projected this as a realistic outcome all along. Similar to the Brady should and will play in preseason, Cassel will remain the #2 and be fine if push ever comes to shove (and turn out of have some real value if that ever happens), Rodney will be back and Tedy will and should play again prognosticators. We often get characterized as everything from wishful homers to delusional defenders of all things BB/NE, but in reality we're just less prone than some to doom and gloom over reactions in any direction or situation.

I still expect he will be placed on PUP at the outset of camp just to keep that option open should the knee prove balky at some point during camp. If it doesn't he will be activated in time for some preseason live action testing to knock the rust off. Depending on how he fares they may still pace him in the early going, something they couldn't do with Brady because of his position. At WR you can work your way back in gradually via rotation. What I don't expect to see until or unless others disappoint is Welker covering punts this season. But that's fine by me since it was beginning grate on me that we had to rely on him for more than 100+ catches as the slot receiver as is...

I also know that whatever happens there will remain an oddly hardcore contingent of gloom and doomers. What I'll never understand is that some of them will silently be wishing to be proven right, because for some reason that matters more to them than whether or not the team succeeds...

 

[Don Kipines]

:robot:

I've said this before, and I'll say it again:

If every Patriot had Wes Welker's sheer determination and work ethic, not only would the Patriots go undefeated, they'd make the 59-0 game against the Titans look like an absolute squeaker.

You said that before? Exactly that?

 

[Ring 6]

I know you young'uns like to keep score on most everything, but there were several of us who projected this as a realistic outcome all along. Similar to the Brady should and will play in preseason, Cassel will remain the #2 and be fine if push ever comes to shove (and turn out of have some real value if that ever happens), Rodney will be back and Tedy will and should play again prognosticators. We often get characterized as everything from wishful homers to delusional defenders of all things BB/NE, but in reality we're just less prone than some to doom and gloom over reactions in any direction or situation.

I still expect he will be placed on PUP at the outset of camp just to keep that option open should the knee prove balky at some point during camp. If it doesn't he will be activated in time for some preseason live action testing to knock the rust off. Depending on how he fares they may still pace him in the early going, something they couldn't do with Brady because of his position. At WR you can work your way back in gradually via rotation. What I don't expect to see until or unless others disappoint is Welker covering punts this season. But that's fine by me since it was beginning grate on me that we had to rely on him for more than 100+ catches as the slot receiver as is...

I also know that whatever happens there will remain an oddly hardcore contingent of gloom and doomers. What I'll never understand is that some of them will silently be wishing to be proven right, because for some reason that matters more to them than whether or not the team succeeds...

The issue with PUP and bringing him along slowly is that you can only remain on PUP until you participate in a single practice.
Some are implying we could wait until the end of camp to make that decision, and we could, but if we are to do that, he won't be able to participate in a single practice all camp, which seems an unlikely scenario,.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I'm pretty sure Holt stays regardless of Welker's health. At least my hope for him has always been to be the wideout opposite Moss that we haven't had since '08. Welker does not affect that need.

This is awesome news though, hopefully Tate is also ready soon.
Moss
Welker
Holt
Edelman
Tate/Price/Patten
is a very impressive set IMO

 

[Patjew]

I remember one time I was right about something. It was awesome.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I remember one time I was right about something. It was awesome.

Link??? j/k...

 

[Kontradiction]

I know you young'uns like to keep score on most everything, but there were several of us who projected this as a realistic outcome all along. Similar to the Brady should and will play in preseason, Cassel will remain the #2 and be fine if push ever comes to shove (and turn out of have some real value if that ever happens), Rodney will be back and Tedy will and should play again prognosticators. We often get characterized as everything from wishful homers to delusional defenders of all things BB/NE, but in reality we're just less prone than some to doom and gloom over reactions in any direction or situation.

I still expect he will be placed on PUP at the outset of camp just to keep that option open should the knee prove balky at some point during camp. If it doesn't he will be activated in time for some preseason live action testing to knock the rust off. Depending on how he fares they may still pace him in the early going, something they couldn't do with Brady because of his position. At WR you can work your way back in gradually via rotation. What I don't expect to see until or unless others disappoint is Welker covering punts this season. But that's fine by me since it was beginning grate on me that we had to rely on him for more than 100+ catches as the slot receiver as is...

I also know that whatever happens there will remain an oddly hardcore contingent of gloom and doomers. What I'll never understand is that some of them will silently be wishing to be proven right, because for some reason that matters more to them than whether or not the team succeeds...

I said that because BF was the only person I can remember arguing with on this subject. I was in the contingent that didn't expect him back on the field until midseason.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The issue with PUP and bringing him along slowly is that you can only remain on PUP until you participate in a single practice.
Some are implying we could wait until the end of camp to make that decision, and we could, but if we are to do that, he won't be able to participate in a single practice all camp, which seems an unlikely scenario,.

I understand that, but balanced against the fact that once he practices with the team once PUP is off the table, I expect them to err on the side of keeping options open. He's a veteran and he doesn't really need the reps in practice that some of the newcomers or youngsters do. He and Brady had an almost instant rapore, they been hangin' all off season, he's been here for all the OTA's, and he didn't suffer a brain injury and he hasn't been away from the game all that much longer than any of his teamates... You can't even replicate live action in camp, try as you might, which is why Brady needed all those pre season reps last year. As long as he's ready to come off PUP by week 1 of the pre season he'll be fine. They continue to practice thereafter for another month. Trainers and coaches and other players who need some extra reps can test his progress just fine apart from participating in team practice for a couple of weeks. Not that i don't expect him to ace the conditioning test, 'cause I do. What will matter more is how his knee feels and looks the following day or days. And the fact that Bill usually values roster flexibility when it's there for the asking. When guys who are rehabbing get tweeked early in camp you lose that flexibility and often end up in defcon mode. Bill seldom starts those guys back until he (and they and the docs and trainers) are really comfortable they're good as new to go for the season or they're as good as it's gonna get for the forseeable future and not at increased risk of setback.

 

[Tunescribe]

Dude's a freak, can't deny that. They showed him jogging around and doing drills at OTAs, he looked fine.

Hopefully he isn't ready by week 2.

Good point. The Green Beans should have fun chasing Welker and Edelman around in circles while Moss strides into the end zone. :singing::rocker:

 

[signbabybrady]

I understand that, but balanced against the fact that once he practices with the team once PUP is off the table, I expect them to err on the side of keeping options open. He's a veteran and he doesn't really need the reps in practice that some of the newcomers or youngsters do. He and Brady had an almost instant rapore, they been hangin' all off season, he's been here for all the OTA's, and he didn't suffer a brain injury and he hasn't been away from the game all that much longer than any of his teamates... You can't even replicate live action in camp, try as you might, which is why Brady needed all those pre season reps last year. As long as he's ready to come off PUP by week 1 of the pre season he'll be fine. They continue to practice thereafter for another month. Trainers and coaches and other players who need some extra reps can test his progress just fine apart from participating in team practice for a couple of weeks. Not that i don't expect him to ace the conditioning test, 'cause I do. What will matter more is how his knee feels and looks the following day or days. And the fact that Bill usually values roster flexibility when it's there for the asking. When guys who are rehabbing get tweeked early in camp you lose that flexibility and often end up in defcon mode. Bill seldom starts those guys back until he (and they and the docs and trainers) are really comfortable they're good as new to go for the season or they're as good as it's gonna get for the forseeable future and not at increased risk of setback.

I think practice reps are key for anyone but particularly key in this instance as I am sure mentally Brady and Welker will be on the same page (IE reading the d the same and reacting the same) but to sit here and think that the timing wont be off and that they dont need practice to get the timing back. Bottom line is part of TC and Preseason is getting that timing back and when you throw an injury into the mix timing might change a little too. Welker may be a hair slower or he might cut in a slightly different way and he and brady need to work thru this stuff.

IMO once they feel confident it is as safe as any other player for him to practice he will practice. Sure it is nice to have an extra roster spot but not at the extent of getting work for key people. The key here though is full confidence in the player as you cant go back to the PUP.

IMO he starts TC on the PUP and sometime near the start of the first preseason game he comes off....This gives you the extra roster spot during the dog days of camp (prior to game prep mode) but also gives Welker ample practice time to get his timing back and confidence in the knee. I wouldn't even rule out action in one pre season game.

 

[Ring 6]

I understand that, but balanced against the fact that once he practices with the team once PUP is off the table, I expect them to err on the side of keeping options open. He's a veteran and he doesn't really need the reps in practice that some of the newcomers or youngsters do. He and Brady had an almost instant rapore, they been hangin' all off season, he's been here for all the OTA's, and he didn't suffer a brain injury and he hasn't been away from the game all that much longer than any of his teamates... You can't even replicate live action in camp, try as you might, which is why Brady needed all those pre season reps last year. As long as he's ready to come off PUP by week 1 of the pre season he'll be fine. They continue to practice thereafter for another month. Trainers and coaches and other players who need some extra reps can test his progress just fine apart from participating in team practice for a couple of weeks. Not that i don't expect him to ace the conditioning test, 'cause I do. What will matter more is how his knee feels and looks the following day or days. And the fact that Bill usually values roster flexibility when it's there for the asking. When guys who are rehabbing get tweeked early in camp you lose that flexibility and often end up in defcon mode. Bill seldom starts those guys back until he (and they and the docs and trainers) are really comfortable they're good as new to go for the season or they're as good as it's gonna get for the forseeable future and not at increased risk of setback.

So your concern is that he starts practices, then reinjures the knee and can't be Pupped? Therefore the risk is having to keep him on the active roster for the first 6-10 weeks?

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Keep in mind I never intended to say Welker WOULD be back for Week 1, I was just saying that based on the timing of Carson Palmer (I know, different position) and Braylon Edwards (different style WR) and combining that with Welker's work ethic and improved knowledge on ACL rehabs that it was fully reasonable that be COULD be back for not only Week 1 but also some preseason games. My gut feeling all along was that Welker would be able to play Week 1 if it were a playoff game but would probably sit out (not PUPed) the first 4 games, get a freebee Week 5 then return after the bye but be able to practice the whole time. That still wouldn't surprise me but Week 1 is also looking more likely now.

Hey fan

No need to be modest. Your work on this has been informative and looks to be accurate.

In your research, does it mention what is more critical- the weight of the player or the "change of direction" stress placed on the ligament?

 

[TriplecHamp]

I still don't want him playing in the first few games...

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I have nothing but respect for Welker. I tore my ACL, MCL and PCL before my senior year in college (i was a FB not a WR) and there is no way I could have participated in an OTA program only a few months into recovery like Welker did.

He must be attacking his rehab like a mad man. I hope he is following his doctor's because while pushing the envelope is encouraged, over doing it is can be a mega disaster!

I wish Welker nothing but the best of luck with his speedy recovery.

 

[Calciumee]

He must be attacking his rehab like a mad man. I hope he is following his doctor's because while pushing the envelope is encouraged, over doing it is can be a mega disaster!

I wish Welker nothing but the best of luck with his speedy recovery.

I can't see him risking another injury, just at the chance he can play sooner. He seems the type of person who will rehab as quick as he can without a high risk of re-injury.