Jul 10
24
Welker: ‘Belichick Made the Call on My Return’
The winds of change are blowing hard in Foxboro, and one gust came through on Friday that caught the attention of every Patriots fan who was likely caught off guard when they heard the news.
It was reported that wide receiver Wes Welker would not be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and will be a full participant when Training Camp opens on Thursday. Had he been placed on PUP, it would have potentially kept him out during the first six weeks of the season.
It looks like things are going to be different this year, and according to the Patriots veteran receiver, it was Bill Belichick who made the decision. It seems that after not having won a Super Bowl since 2004 and having his perfect season spoiled by the Giants in 2007, Belichick has apparently decided it’s time for changes. In the past they’ve been cautious with injuries, and secretive to the media when it came to the severity of them.
However, it appears this year that the silence will continue, but the “excuses” won’t.
“The doctor said I should probably take it slow and that the knee really shouldn’t receive any impact – which when I get tackled is obviously going to happen,” said Welker yesterday. “But Bill didn’t want to hear it. He told me to ‘quit making excuses’, and said that ‘it was bad enough I managed to take the field in crutches at the start of the Baltimore game, yet I couldn’t manage to put the uniform on and play’.
“He said, ‘Look how that turned out – you let the team down.’”
Welker claimed that he then tried to continue reasoning with Belichick, but he wouldn’t listen.
“I tried to explain that my knee just isn’t there yet,” said Welker. “But he told me to ‘quit being a baby and to be ready to be out there’.”
Welker has been seen working out with Tom Brady this offseason out west, and caught passes from him during OTA’s and minicamp. Brady has seen enough to feel that Welker should be fine.
“He’s just being ridiculous,” said Brady when asked about Welker’s concern for his knee. “He was fine during minicamp and OTA’s, and even if it’s bothering him he’s still better than 90% of the other guys in the league. Besides, with Logan potentially being gone, I’m not going to have as much time to throw – and he always finds a way to get open.”
Brady also went on to say that Welker’s had adequate time to heal and that he doesn’t need any more.
“I mean he injured it on a play where nobody hit him – it couldn’t have been that bad. Did you see the photo of my leg when [Bernard] Pollard hit me? It bent in half – I mean you saw it, that’s a real injury. He just turned and fell down.
“He’s had the entire offseason to heal just like I did, and I even had to deal with infections. But I made it through last year just fine. So I think he’ll be O.K. He should just get over it.”
Belichick was questioned by the media about his decision, but wouldn’t say much despite repeated tries to get more out of him.
“Look, it’s my job to put the best guys out there that give the team the best chance to win,” said Belichick. “Wes is one of those guys who gives us that. That’s all I’m going to say.”
So for now he’ll be out there on Thursday, and this should be a sign for other players in the locker room that Belichick is expecting a tougher team this season. It’s been six years since the team last one a championship, so instead he’s decided that changes needed to be made.
“Guys always get bumps and bruises,” said Belichick. “I don’t see any bruises on Wes. Don’t take my word for it, I’m not a doctor. Take a look at his knee on Thursday and tell me if you see anything. Then we’ll talk.”
This article is satire and intended for entertainment purposes only.