Patriots Supernova: Wes Welker

Wes Welker is the Patriots MVP.

Wes Welker?

You may think I am crazy not choosing Tom Brady or maybe even Randy Moss.

They are the ones with the records right?

However, if seven games into the 2009 season don’t show you Wes Welker’s true value, nothing will.

BUFFALO (W): 12 catch for 93 yards. A lot of those catches were integral on the Patriots coming back and winning that game.

JETS (L): Welker did not play due to injury. Brady looked lost without his security blanket and the Patriots fell 16-9.

ATLANTA (W): Welker missed his second straight game. The Patriots were able to overcome his absence, with a balanced attack of Fred Taylor rushing the ball for 105 yards and Brady connecting with Randy Moss 10 times for 116 yards.

BALTIMORE (W): Welker and Brady hooked up 6 times for a modest 48 yards. However, you know Wes fought for every foot never mind yard.

DENVER (L): The Patriots offense fell asleep in the second half.  However, Welker contributed with his first touchdown on the season along with 8 catches for 86 yards. Brady also sought Welker in the fourth quarter, but due to a miscommunication missed on a sure touchdown.  However, Welker was the primary option.

TITANS (COMPLETE DESTRUCTION):  Welker and the rest of the Patriots offense went ballistic against the porous Tennessee defense. The speedy receiver posted gaudy numbers, with 10 catches for 150 yards and 2 scores.

BUCS (MORE OF THE SAME): The Patriots and Welker took advantage of another hapless opponent. Welker burned the JV Bucs for 10 catches for 107 yards and one touchdown.

Going into the bye week, Welker has 46 catches (NFL rank-1^st) for 484 yards (NFL rank-13^th) and 4 scores. He is also second in the league with 640 Yards After the Catch .Remember folks; he missed two games due to injury!

When Welker is out of the lineup, the Patriots offense is not on all cylinders. With him in the lineup New England averages 32.6 points and without Welker only 17.5.

At only 5’9” and 185lbs, he gets the tough yards and probably leaves himself open to head hunting linebackers and secondaries(remember the hit last year versus the Steelers?) more than most receivers with alligator arms. Not to mention that he still runs back punts!

Grit.

Determination.

Competitive Fire.

These words all describe Wes Welker and how he plays the game.

Without their spark plug, the Patriots offensive engine doesn’t flow as smoothly. Take him out of the game and you take New England out of their game.

Sounds like a MVP to me.

If everything I wrote above doesn’t convince you, try to take a bite out of this and digest it.

NO RECEIVER in the NFL has more catches than Welker since the beginning of the 2007 season.

Damn, the Dolphins must be kicking their own dorsal fins over this horrific trade.

Thanks Miami!

Oh yeah you get to see him torch you after the bye week.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now, Rootzoo.com and Trufan.com