Welker: "I don't feel the same" (1 Viewer)

[TheBradyBunch]

The "process" is now just about over for Wes Welker. He went through months of grueling rehab, just about a full training camp (he missed the first three days), and three preseason games.

And now that magic date of Sept. 12, with the Cincinnati Bengals coming to Foxborough, stands right in front of him. Welker's ready, all right, but he's also been through enough to know that he won't be able to just flip a switch and become the guy who caught 123 games, despite missing two games and most of another, last year. This part will be a process too, in returning to that kind of form.



"I still feel like I’m a long ways off from that personally," Welker said in a quiet moment away from the masses in the post-game locker room. "People say it looks the same. I don’t feel the same. So I’m not gonna put a number on myself.

"My deal is going out there and playing as hard as I can every single play, and just trying to do my job. Whatever it is at the end is what it is, and we’re gonna just go out and try to win games."

We'll have more on this in tomorrow's paper, and how Welker pushed through some pretty tough days and how much all this means to him.

But know this: All of this has gone the way he planned it to in one important sense, that being that he never, ever planned on missing games. The talk of going on the Active/PUP list -- which would've sidelined him for six games -- wasn't exactly part of his thought process. Ever.

"The whole PUP deal or sitting out games or whatever, that never really entered my mind," Welker said. "I just wanted to get back as early as possible, whenever that was and we’re getting closer to the season now, and hopefully we’re gonna be good to go. ...

"We didn’t really put a date on (the return). We discussed some different things we had to go about and different aspects came into play. For me, it was never a question. I wasn’t gonna sit out. It’s just not in me. I can’t do it."

Boston.comAs a Pats fan, I really hope Wes isn't coming back too early - fingers crossed!

 

[FantasyTrader]

Nor should he.

Can you name one elite talent at WR who tore his ACL came back the following season and posted elite stats? That's not a rhetorical question. There is no database tracking elite player injury and average returns to pre-injury stats that I know of. Regardless, I'm having trouble recalling a single instance.

More often, one of two things happen: 1) The player returns in less than a year but something is off. They are missing that "it" that made them elite to begin with. They yo-yo up and down and the final season stats are average at best. 2) In an attempt to compensate and not place too much stress on the knee (whether consciously or unconsciously) they turn an ankle here or twist a hammy there, spending much of the year on the I.R. as a gametime decision.

In regards to Welker's situation...the outlook turns from sketchy to downright ugly IMO. An argument could be made for a deep threat speedster, but this excellent possession receiver has made a living off of simply exploding out of his breaks faster than any defender on the field. It's that precision which allows him to gain seperation in traffic.

The ACL gods, almost without exception, take their two years from you one way or another. I would be absolutely stunned if Welker was the exception to that rule. My guess is Welker starts and plays (with moderate degree of success) to begin the year. Then it becomes a WR by committee opposite Randy Moss either by injury or production.

I'm personally staying away from all of it this year.

 

[AB in DC]

Braylon Edwards and Javom Walker recovered nicely a few years ago. I don't think the two-year rule still applies.

 

[Darth Cheney]

Braylon Edwards and Javom Walker recovered nicely a few years ago. I don't think the two-year rule still applies.

Much like Tommy John surgery in baseball.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

Braylon Edwards and Javom Walker recovered nicely a few years ago. I don't think the two-year rule still applies.

Apples to Oranges.......... you are comparing outside flanker types that depend more on straight line speed to a slot guy thats dependant on severe cuts to throw off defenders in the heavy traffic. The fact that he has come this far is a terrific storyline of courage and determination, but the reality of playing full speed against 1st string D's all game is going to kick in here in short order.

 

[Angus82]

The fact that Welker says that he isn't 100% shows why is an excellent NFL player. He expects a ton out of himself and when he thinks that he hasn't achieved it he reports as such. Of course, experienced fantasy drafters recognize these over-achievers and draft accordingly.

My personal opinion, Welker will be the WR to own if you are looking New England. The defense stinks and I am not sure that the O line is capable of protecting Brady enough to make Moss a weapon.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Can you name one elite talent at WR who tore his ACL came back the following season and posted elite stats? That's not a rhetorical question. There is no database tracking elite player injury and average returns to pre-injury stats that I know of. Regardless, I'm having trouble recalling a single instance.

Jerry Rice."During the season opener of the 1997 season he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a reverse. Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers grabbed Rice by the face-mask and wrenched Rice to the ground with it, drawing a 15-yard personal foul. The injury broke his streak of 189 consecutive games played. Fourteen weeks later he made his return, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but when he came down with the catch, he cracked the patella in his left kneecap. He was forced to miss the Pro Bowl for the first time in 11 years. However, he made a full recovery, coming back to record 82 catches for 1,157 yards and 9 touchdowns in 1998 and being named to his 12th Pro Bowl." (link)

 

[massraider]

Every year, guys come back faster and faster from injuries. The procedures get better, the rehab gets smarter, etc.

And some guys work harder than others. Welker coming back and playing in preseason games spoke volumes to me. I can't believe that the Pats would be so cavalier with his PT coming off an injury unless they thought he was ready to go.

All I know is, I'm not betting against that little rat.

 

[Wilbur Wood]

Can you name one elite talent at WR who tore his ACL came back the following season and posted elite stats? That's not a rhetorical question. There is no database tracking elite player injury and average returns to pre-injury stats that I know of. Regardless, I'm having trouble recalling a single instance.

Jerry Rice."During the season opener of the 1997 season he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a reverse. Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers grabbed Rice by the face-mask and wrenched Rice to the ground with it, drawing a 15-yard personal foul. The injury broke his streak of 189 consecutive games played. Fourteen weeks later he made his return, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but when he came down with the catch, he cracked the patella in his left kneecap. He was forced to miss the Pro Bowl for the first time in 11 years. However, he made a full recovery, coming back to record 82 catches for 1,157 yards and 9 touchdowns in 1998 and being named to his 12th Pro Bowl." (link)

Rice put up stats but was never the same force and was noticeably hampered when he first returned

 

[BuckeyeChaos]

Can you name one elite talent at WR who tore his ACL came back the following season and posted elite stats? That's not a rhetorical question. There is no database tracking elite player injury and average returns to pre-injury stats that I know of. Regardless, I'm having trouble recalling a single instance.

Jerry Rice."During the season opener of the 1997 season he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a reverse. Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers grabbed Rice by the face-mask and wrenched Rice to the ground with it, drawing a 15-yard personal foul. The injury broke his streak of 189 consecutive games played. Fourteen weeks later he made his return, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but when he came down with the catch, he cracked the patella in his left kneecap. He was forced to miss the Pro Bowl for the first time in 11 years. However, he made a full recovery, coming back to record 82 catches for 1,157 yards and 9 touchdowns in 1998 and being named to his 12th Pro Bowl." (link)

Rice put up stats but was never the same force and was noticeably hampered when he first returned

Wasn't he a good bit older than Welker at that point though? I would expect a younger man to be able to bounce back a bit better even if Rice was a workout robot.

 

[Hjelle9]

Nor should he. Can you name one elite talent at WR who tore his ACL came back the following season and posted elite stats? That's not a rhetorical question. There is no database tracking elite player injury and average returns to pre-injury stats that I know of. Regardless, I'm having trouble recalling a single instance. More often, one of two things happen: 1) The player returns in less than a year but something is off. They are missing that "it" that made them elite to begin with. They yo-yo up and down and the final season stats are average at best. 2) In an attempt to compensate and not place too much stress on the knee (whether consciously or unconsciously) they turn an ankle here or twist a hammy there, spending much of the year on the I.R. as a gametime decision. In regards to Welker's situation...the outlook turns from sketchy to downright ugly IMO. An argument could be made for a deep threat speedster, but this excellent possession receiver has made a living off of simply exploding out of his breaks faster than any defender on the field. It's that precision which allows him to gain seperation in traffic.The ACL gods, almost without exception, take their two years from you one way or another. I would be absolutely stunned if Welker was the exception to that rule. My guess is Welker starts and plays (with moderate degree of success) to begin the year. Then it becomes a WR by committee opposite Randy Moss either by injury or production.I'm personally staying away from all of it this year.

This is smart. I completely agree. I've made many a fantasy season by grabbing welker early in drafts but even healthy his value has diminished with all his popularity. Then you add in a serious knee injury AND the fastest rehab schedule we've ever seen and most people really aren't worried about the value they're receiving here? Everyone wants to give him the benefit of the doubt because he's already been such an overachiever given his size and whiteness and is such a great story/guy to root for that it is apparently blinding. the fact that he's so diminutive and was already overachieving is a reason to believe he won't continue to overachieve, especially where his possible fall is more or less biologically imminent as his game is based on maneuvers that are little less than knee-ripping. Watch out for the compensation injury in the other leg as well. 39 catches 375 yards 0 tds.

 

[bulger2holt]

I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole this year. BTW, he was the reason I won my SB last year. Thanks Wes, you da man in my book.

 

[LTF]

Welker also tore up his knee the last week of the season. It may not sound like much, but that's a significant difference than say tearing up his knee in September or October.

I don't think that should be overlooked here.

 

[VaTerp]

Braylon Edwards and Javom Walker recovered nicely a few years ago. I don't think the two-year rule still applies.

Edwards did not have a complete tear of his ACL in 2005. His 2006 performance was good but not elite which is what fantasytrader asked about. Edwards one elite season came in 2007, 18 months to 2 years after his injury.Walker tore his ACL in week 1 of 2005. His 2006 campaign was good as well but not elite like his 2004 season and he never did anything after 06'.Now I know there are other reasons for the success and failure of Edwards and Walker over the years but I don't think you can site them and just say the two year rule doesnt apply anymore. Furthermore, Welker injured his knee in late December and reports are that he tore both the ACL and MCL. And, as was mentioned already, Welker's game is based on quickness and suddeness coming in and out of cuts. IMHO his style puts a little more stress on the knee than many other WRs.There are certainly advances made every year in surgery, rehab, and helping guys get on the field quicker. And if anybody can come back so quickly it would be a guy like Welker. But I still have a hard time believing he will be anywhere near 100% at any point this season. I could be wrong but we'll see. He is still a solid option in PPR and I would have taken him if he fell far enough. But I think some people drafted him expecting the same numbers of the last 3 years and I would be really surprised if that happened.

 

[Kiddnets]

I'll take him at a discount...will probably take him a few weeks to get his legs back but I expect him to be his old self by 2nd half of the season

 

[FantasyTrader]

I'll take him at a discount...will probably take him a few weeks to get his legs back but I expect him to be his old self by 2nd half of the season

That would be less than one year removed. Not impossible, nothing's impossible with Welker. But I'd be flat out shocked.

 

[jurb26]

Can you name one elite talent at WR who tore his ACL came back the following season and posted elite stats? That's not a rhetorical question. There is no database tracking elite player injury and average returns to pre-injury stats that I know of. Regardless, I'm having trouble recalling a single instance.

Jerry Rice."During the season opener of the 1997 season he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a reverse. Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers grabbed Rice by the face-mask and wrenched Rice to the ground with it, drawing a 15-yard personal foul. The injury broke his streak of 189 consecutive games played. Fourteen weeks later he made his return, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but when he came down with the catch, he cracked the patella in his left kneecap. He was forced to miss the Pro Bowl for the first time in 11 years. However, he made a full recovery, coming back to record 82 catches for 1,157 yards and 9 touchdowns in 1998 and being named to his 12th Pro Bowl." (link)

Rice put up stats but was never the same force and was noticeably hampered when he first returned

Wasn't he a good bit older than Welker at that point though? I would expect a younger man to be able to bounce back a bit better even if Rice was a workout robot.

Wouldn't this give Rice about 3 - 4 more months recovery time compared to Welker? Not the same.

 

[LawFitz]

Can you name one elite talent at WR who tore his ACL came back the following season and posted elite stats? That's not a rhetorical question. There is no database tracking elite player injury and average returns to pre-injury stats that I know of. Regardless, I'm having trouble recalling a single instance.

Jerry Rice."During the season opener of the 1997 season he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a reverse. Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers grabbed Rice by the face-mask and wrenched Rice to the ground with it, drawing a 15-yard personal foul. The injury broke his streak of 189 consecutive games played. Fourteen weeks later he made his return, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but when he came down with the catch, he cracked the patella in his left kneecap. He was forced to miss the Pro Bowl for the first time in 11 years. However, he made a full recovery, coming back to record 82 catches for 1,157 yards and 9 touchdowns in 1998 and being named to his 12th Pro Bowl." (link)

Rice put up stats but was never the same force and was noticeably hampered when he first returned

Wasn't he a good bit older than Welker at that point though? I would expect a younger man to be able to bounce back a bit better even if Rice was a workout robot.

Wouldn't this give Rice about 3 - 4 more months recovery time compared to Welker? Not the same.

Actually he came back that same season, but then injured his patella. Coincidence? Maybe not. But he was able to come back 3-4 months earlier than WW's current time frame and at an older age.

 

[Matt Waldman]

Jerry Rice is such a unique force in this game that it is difficult for me to accept him as more than an answer to FantasyTrader's question. I can't see him as reason why Welker can do it.

I think the fantasy climate towards Welker's projected production this year is bordering on the irrational. I agree with those who wouldn't touch him. He's too expensive and coming off too difficult an injury for me to hope I'm right about the guy.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Only drafted once this yr as a WR4... have him in a couple of Dynasties and as of now am playing him. He looked good in the pre-season game.

 

[chem]

My personal opinion, Welker will be the WR to own if you are looking New England. The defense stinks and I am not sure that the O line is capable of protecting Brady enough to make Moss a weapon.

Moss is still the WR1. It's not like he only runs routes where he catches 40-50 yard bombs. He started last year with a 12 / 141 effort vs BUF with a long of 31, and a couple weeks later went 10 / 116 with a long of 21 vs ATL. Plenty of short to intermediate routes for him when Brady knows he doesn't have time for the deep ball. Plus, Moss still reliably produces TDs.

 

[Angus82]

My personal opinion, Welker will be the WR to own if you are looking New England. The defense stinks and I am not sure that the O line is capable of protecting Brady enough to make Moss a weapon.

Moss is still the WR1. It's not like he only runs routes where he catches 40-50 yard bombs. He started last year with a 12 / 141 effort vs BUF with a long of 31, and a couple weeks later went 10 / 116 with a long of 21 vs ATL. Plenty of short to intermediate routes for him when Brady knows he doesn't have time for the deep ball. Plus, Moss still reliably produces TDs.

Week One, I think that I have to disagree. Wes goes out and catches 2 td's and Randy whines about not having a contract. Wes works his tail off to overcome a major knee injury and Randy cries out "Why me?" Obviously Randy will get his, but Wes never quits.

 

[Da Guru]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

 

[CalBear]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

So what are you basing it on, then?

 

[LawFitz]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

So what are you basing it on, then?

Holiday Inn Express

 

[Da Guru]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

So what are you basing it on, then?

Holiday Inn Express

Gut.

 

[CalBear]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

So what are you basing it on, then?

Holiday Inn Express

Gut.

I sprained my ankle last week, what does your gut say about my rehab prospects? I'd hate to have to take the advice of my doctor.

 

[Da Guru]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

So what are you basing it on, then?

Holiday Inn Express

Gut.

I sprained my ankle last week, what does your gut say about my rehab prospects? I'd hate to have to take the advice of my doctor.

Two weeks of RICE..Advil every 6-8 hours to help with inflammation. Now a dreaded HAS may require twice the rehab time.

 

[PhilLynott]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

Your avatar shows an individual who believes in a higher power. Your sig shows "Fair and Balanced" How could you not possibly think that Wes Welker could succeed. Your sweetheart Sarah is all about self reliance.

 

[Da Guru]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

Your avatar shows an individual who believes in a higher power. Your sig shows "Fair and Balanced" How could you not possibly think that Wes Welker could succeed. Your sweetheart Sarah is all about self reliance.

I want Welker to succeed..love they guy. Just think he pushed his rehab a bit too fast. Hope he has a great injury-free season.

 

[Eminence]

I think it is now clear that Welker was just trying to lower his ADP in his Fantasy Leagues.

 

[Angus82]

Welkers game is being able to make explosive, sharp cuts. Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon. I have no medical data to back up my claim though.

Your avatar shows an individual who believes in a higher power. Your sig shows "Fair and Balanced" How could you not possibly think that Wes Welker could succeed. Your sweetheart Sarah is all about self reliance.

I want Welker to succeed..love they guy. Just think he pushed his rehab a bit too fast. Hope he has a great injury-free season.

Guys like Wes are the reason why we watch the NFL. He is in the NFL because he is an over-achiever. To think that this year will be a drop-off is a bad bet. He is a great player who will show that you can rehab as quick as you want to work hard.

 

[massraider]

Will not surprise me at all if he blows out the same ACL again this year. I personally think he came back too soon.

Even if he blows it out again, there's no evidence he came back too soon. Other players (who no one wondered if they came back too soon), have blown out their ACL again.

 

[SteelerMurf]

I decided to give him one week to make sure he played full game.

I am gonna start him rest of theway.....any WR who gets 8 catches is not going to be on my bench

 

[Clifton]

Welker is a stud, no doubt. But New England has made him what he is...the scheme and Tom Brady driving. Replace him with Edelman, Camarillo or Shipley and I think we see similar production. I'm not digging on Welker. Has shown more heart than just about anyone is the game. He is special in that regard but from a talent standpoint he's definitely replaceable.