WR Wes Welker

[j2v]

Less than eight months ago they were carting Wes Welker off the field and shipping him off for surgery to repair a torn ACL. At the time, expectations were that he’d most likely start this season on the PUP—ending his three-year run of 1,000-yard, triple-digit catch campaigns.

 

Then reports started coming out of New England about how great Welker was looking during workouts, with whispers that he might be ready for the start of the season. His fantasy stock began creeping back up, to its current perch near the end of the fifth round in non-PPR leagues and slightly higher in PPR formats.

 

All of the other pieces are in place in New England: Tom Brady at quarterback, Randy Moss on the other side, a cast of thousands cobbling together a ground game. Does Welker defy the odds and become a medical marvel, picking up where he left off despite the knee injury? Is Welker’s expected return just the latest in a long line of Patriot games with the injury report? And just how willing are you to risk the early pick it will take to acquire Welker’s services?

[firstandgoal]

Less than eight months ago they were carting Wes Welker off the field and shipping him off for surgery to repair a torn ACL. At the time, expectations were that he’d most likely start this season on the PUP—ending his three-year run of 1,000-yard, triple-digit catch campaigns.

 

Then reports started coming out of New England about how great Welker was looking during workouts, with whispers that he might be ready for the start of the season. His fantasy stock began creeping back up, to its current perch near the end of the fifth round in non-PPR leagues and slightly higher in PPR formats.

 

All of the other pieces are in place in New England: Tom Brady at quarterback, Randy Moss on the other side, a cast of thousands cobbling together a ground game. Does Welker defy the odds and become a medical marvel, picking up where he left off despite the knee injury? Is Welker’s expected return just the latest in a long line of Patriot games with the injury report? And just how willing are you to risk the early pick it will take to acquire Welker’s services?

 

I'm a sports Injury doc and there is no way he is going to be the 1st person in NFL history to return to full speed this quickly ACL reconstructive surgery. IF you draft Welker, you better draft Julian Eddleman as your starter for the first 5-6 games of the season.

[Capt. Stanky]

I've got him in a deep keeper (keep up to 10) and I'm still not sure if I'm going to keep him. For one, he might never be the same. He depends on his lateral quickness so much that if he lost some of that he just might not be nearly as affective. I will probably end up keeping him, since he was the #1 WR last year in my league on a game by game basis.

[shotgun72]

I'm a sports Injury doc and there is no way he is going to be the 1st person in NFL history to return to full speed this quickly ACL reconstructive surgery. IF you draft Welker, you better draft Julian Eddleman as your starter for the first 5-6 games of the season.

 

I agree. I tore mine almost 20 years ago and I was 17 at the time. I know technology has come a long way, but with the cuts he makes and the way he plays, I'm thinking he is out a minimum of 8 games and a total recovery time of at least 10 months which puts him at November. I'm no doctor. But would the doctor above concur???

[stethant]

Medically, I agree with firstandgoal - there's no way he starts the season. The only question, I guess, is if some PED could accelerate the healing process? I am NOT trying to suggest that Welker would do this, only that it's about the only way possible (and still not very likely) to come back that quickly. Orthopedics/sports medicine have made great strides in the last decade, but this seems a little nuts.

[Coach1310]

My gut tells me he will be out there almost from day one. I haven't followed his progress at all, so I can't comment on that, but the guy is good because he works his tail off on every play. I think a lot of guys will benefit by taking a chance on him as he slides down the draft board.

[Rovers]

Welker has been exceptional in many ways. I think he will be exceptional again in terms of recovery, and be what he was last year in the second half of the season. This guy breaks the mold. I think Chuck Norris is afraid of him.

[forever in debt to mo lewis]

boys...the guy will be on the field for regular season opener against the bengals....i wouldnt be suprised if they limited his snaps over the first month/6 weeks and rotated him with edelman.....but the guy is out there and doing what hes done....all reports say he looked real good in 7 on 7s against the saints yesterday....and 11/11 full contact.....

 

the thing that i love about welker is how cocky he really is.....on camera he comes off as a fairly humble christian.....its pretty funny though...i was in indy during the pats perfect regular season in 07...as they battled the unbeaten colts....welker made the catch for a first down that allowed the patriots to run out the clock....my friend texted me that the microphones on the sidelined picked up welker yelling "you f______g suck" to the corner after the play....i watched it the replay on the nfl network and it confirmed it.....this guy has always played with a chip on his shoulder "hes not big/good enough".....now its "i dunno if this guy can ever be as effective as he was before".....its just another chip....and i wouldnt bet against him

[Czarina]

He'll be back before people expect him to be, but I think he'll miss a few games. Better to miss a couple now than to rush back too soon and set the whole healing process back.

[darin3]

boys...the guy will be on the field for regular season opener against the bengals....i wouldnt be suprised if they limited his snaps over the first month/6 weeks and rotated him with edelman.....but the guy is out there and doing what hes done....all reports say he looked real good in 7 on 7s against the saints yesterday....and 11/11 full contact.....

 

the thing that i love about welker is how cocky he really is.....on camera he comes off as a fairly humble christian.....its pretty funny though...i was in indy during the pats perfect regular season in 07...as they battled the unbeaten colts....welker made the catch for a first down that allowed the patriots to run out the clock....my friend texted me that the microphones on the sidelined picked up welker yelling "you f______g suck" to the corner after the play....i watched it the replay on the nfl network and it confirmed it.....this guy has always played with a chip on his shoulder "hes not big/good enough".....now its "i dunno if this guy can ever be as effective as he was before".....its just another chip....and i wouldnt bet against him

Chips on one's shoulder can't assist in miraculous ACL recoveries. That said, I generally agree: he'll be active to start the season but Belichick will probably mix Edelmen in a bit, especially to start the season.

 

I'm avoiding Welker this year and taking Edelmen as a value pick once you're in those rounds where you're throwing darts.

[Randall]

I'm a sports Injury doc and there is no way he is going to be the 1st person in NFL history to return to full speed this quickly ACL reconstructive surgery. IF you draft Welker, you better draft Julian Eddleman as your starter for the first 5-6 games of the season.

 

 

No he may not return to full speed but quickness is his game and he may be pretty good until he returns fully. Every year there are some players that defy previous medical standards of recovery. I'm not saying he will do that but I won't be too surprised if he does recover halfway through the season.

[piratesownninjas]

100 receptions. He's not human.

[dula14]

For what it's worth: Randy Cross was on with one of the local sports talk stations in town and reported that Welker was blowing by Saints DBs in scrimmages with N.O. He went on to say that the guy looks like he's back at 100% already.

[Brentastic]

For what it's worth: Randy Cross was on with one of the local sports talk stations in town and reported that Welker was blowing by Saints DBs in scrimmages with N.O. He went on to say that the guy looks like he's back at 100% already.

If this is true then he's taking something illegal to expedite the recovery. It even takes immobile QBs 2 years to get back to normal. A WR who relies on quick stops/cuts cannot (and will not) be effective until the last half of the season at best. I'm with darin on this - I'm gonna pounce on Edelman in later rounds.

[Avernus]

If this is true then he's taking something illegal to expedite the recovery. It even takes immobile QBs 2 years to get back to normal. A WR who relies on quick stops/cuts cannot (and will not) be effective until the last half of the season at best. I'm with darin on this - I'm gonna pounce on Edelman in later rounds.

 

Edelman is the guy I'm taking....Welker = PED

[piratesownninjas]

on camera he comes off as a fairly humble christian.....its pretty funny though...i was in indy during the pats perfect regular season in 07...as they battled the unbeaten colts....welker made the catch for a first down that allowed the patriots to run out the clock....my friend texted me that the microphones on the sidelined picked up welker yelling "you f______g suck" to the corner after the play=

That's disappointing.

 

 

 

 

If this is true then he's taking something illegal to expedite the recovery. It even takes immobile QBs 2 years to get back to normal. A WR who relies on quick stops/cuts cannot (and will not) be effective until the last half of the season at best. I'm with darin on this - I'm gonna pounce on Edelman in later rounds.

No No No... You should have read my earlier post...

100 receptions. He's not human.

Robots don't need PED's

[Henry Muto]

Rivers blew out his ACL in the playoffs, Palmer blew his ACL out on the playoffs both started the next season on schedule.

 

Not saying a QB is equal to a WR especially like Welker but if I can get 75% of the old Welker in rounds 5-6 especially in a dynasty start up then 100% of him next year I am good.

 

Question is at age 29 how much longer will the little fella play ?

[The Wolf]

I would draft Welker but would be sure to cover myself with Edelman. Would it surprise me to see him play well? No way. With BB and the Patriot Propaganda Machine, do we REALLY know if he tore his ACL???

[CarmenWelden]

I've got him in a deep keeper (keep up to 10) and I'm still not sure if I'm going to keep him. For one, he might never be the same. He depends on his lateral quickness so much that if he lost some of that he just might not be nearly as affective. I will probably end up keeping him, since he was the #1 WR last year in my league on a game by game basis.

 

I agree with you.

_________

[burton]

Boston.com

 

It would appear that Wes Welker will be playing in tonight's game -- he is on the field for warmups, with game pants peeking out from under his shorts.

 

There has not been an official word from the Patriots on his playing status, but there is not an inactive list for preseason games.

 

However, he sure is warming up as if he's going to making an appearance tonight...

 

 

CONFIRMED, he's in and already has 2 catches.

Edited August 20, 2010 by burton

[budlitebrad]

So far, so good.

[DMD]

He sure the hell doesn't look like a guy who tore his ACL 8 months ago. I'd probably still be in bed.

[GReatONE]

I didn't catch the game myself, but from what you've seen, where do you project him being drafted?

[budlitebrad]

I didn't catch the game myself, but from what you've seen, where do you project him being drafted?

 

Probably 3rd round in a PPR league. I was hesistant a few weeks ago, but based on the game last night, he looks fine. It was only a handful of snaps, but if you can get on the field 6 months after major knee surgery, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

 

Pretty remarkable recovery, you gotta admit.

Edited August 20, 2010 by budlitebrad

[matt770]

I'm more of a skeptic when it comes to Welker. 50 or 60 catches with Brady spreading it out more to Edelman and the TEs would not surprise me at all. Maybe he defies the odds and plays all 16 games close to last year's level, but to me the risk is too great to burn a pick earlier than the 6th, which means he will not be on any of my teams.