Wes Welker on botched punt return: 'I gotta do a better job'

The ball just didn't bounce the way Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker figured it would in his return to Gillette Stadium Sunday — literally. It ended up being a heart-breaking homecoming by the time the game was over. And it was the Broncos who were clutching their chests.  Not only did the former Patriot have just four catches for 31 yards (not to mention a few drops), but Welker was also responsible for the game-deciding turnover.

With just over three minutes to go in overtime and the game tied at 31, Welker stood on his own 10-yard line awaiting a Ryan Allen punt. But Allen's kick was short, Welker was late telling teammates to steer clear of the landing zone, the ball hit the turf and bounced right into surprised Broncos defensive back Tony Carter. New England recovered and three plays later the game was over.

At first glance, its easy to blame Carter for not being aware of the situation. But as NBC color commentator Cris Collinsworth pointed out at the time, the fault lied with Welker, who didn't warn Carter until it was too late. After the game, Welker took responsibility for his gaffe.

"I just felt like there was a lot of traffic, it was a high ball, [I] basically didn't want to get into a situation where somebody's running into me or anything else, and ended up with a situation that I didn't want to happen in the first place," Welker said, via CSNNewEngland.com.

"I gotta do a better job of getting up there and getting those guys out of the way, and making sure it doesn't hit them. I gotta get to him earlier and tell him, and get those guys out of the way if I'm not going to make the catch. I was a little bit in between and you can't be that way."

Ironically, Welker was returning punts because Trindon Holliday had muffed a punt earlier in the game.

Tom Brady: Wes Welker will 'definitely' play Sunday

If things go according to Wes Welker's plans, he will suit up for his new team, the Broncos, and head into Gillette Stadium to take on his old team, the Patriots this Sunday. That's if that a pesky concussion doesn't get in the way.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady — putting Monday's loss to the Panthers behind him — and speaking on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan Show, said he's not worried about Welker missing the game and thinks he'll "definitely" be on the field.

"I've been around [Welker] long enough to know what he's all about," Brady said Wednesday. "He loves playing football, and if there's a chance for him to play, especially coming back here, he's definitely going to be out there. I've got no question about that."

The quarterback hasn't actually spoken to his old friend, however. He just believes that this is the sort of game that Welker wouldn't miss.

"No, no he didn't do that," Brady said. "But it would take an awful lot for him to miss the game."

Welker has to clear all the NFL concussion protocols before he can consider even suiting up. But this a game he's had marked on his calendar ever since he left New England under less than amicable circumstances.

Revenge aside, there's also the matter of Peyton Manning needing Welker. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker present a formidable matchup for teams to cover, but it's Welker who is the spark plug on this offense, generating an almost stealth-like presence that teams are forced to defend, drawing coverages away from the receivers on the outside.

Kenny Chesney works out with the Seattle Seahawks

Country music superstar Kenny Chesney visited the Seattle Seahawks and worked out with the team Friday, a day before performing at CenturyLink Field on his "No Shoes Nation" tour. 

The fit 45 year-old blended right in with the squad, running routes and catching passes from quarterback Russell Wilson. According to Country Weekly, Chesney met Pete Carroll years ago, and the Seattle coach extended an invite to work out.

Not a bad way to stretch out the old legs after those long hours on a tour bus.

The Wes Welker-sized singer displayed some nice moves and speed running pass routes and tweeted a photo of himself showing off his guns.

twitter.com/kennychesney/s…
— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) May 31, 2013

Welker bolted New England for Denver because of hair transplant says doctor

Don't blame Wes Welker's departure from the New England Patriots to the Denver Broncos on his agents says a hair transplant expert.  Blame it on the NFL star's new luscious locks. At least that's the way Dr. Ryan Welter — a Rhode Island-based hair transplant specialist — sees it.

Welter told GoLocalProv.com, a Rhode Island news website, that Welker bolted from new England  for Denver because he was embarrassed when the doctor who performed his hair transplant surgery a year ago paraded Welker's procedure out in public with a number of ads for his business.

"Privacy is important and when you tell the world that you had a transplant, that's a lot of pressure to put out there for everyone to see when the helmet is off. Better get it right the first time. I just hope the added pressure didn't affect his decision (to leave)," Dr. Welter said.

Dr. Robert Leonard, who replaced the missing hair in the follically-challenged wide receiver's head, called Welter's remarks a bald-faced lie. He said Welker is a "very self-assured" man who "just doesn't like losing his hair."

Welker even gave a plug for Dr. Leonard's hair plugs.  The former-Patriot wrote a testimonial on the doctor's website saying how happy he was with Dr. Leonard's work.

Now if he convinces Peyton to put some turf in the end zone, that would be a testimonial.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft: 'I don't answer to Tom Brady'

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft tried to put a lid on the boiling pot that Tom Brady is stewing over his contract extension and by the team letting Wes Welker go to the Broncos.  Kraft put the kibosh on the notion that Brady felt betrayed by the Patriots release of Welker and claimed his quarterback's new contract had no strings attached.

On Monday at the NFL owners meeting in Phoenix, Kraft debunked the notion that Brady was disheartened by his team's inability to keep Welker. He made it clear that the future Hall of Fame quarterback's decision to sign a below-market contract extension didn’t come with any hidden clauses.

Rumors that Brady wasn't to pleased at the Patriots organization after the team couldn't — or wouldn't — sign his favorite target last week.

“I don’t answer to Tom Brady,” Kraft said at the NFL32.  “He’s an important member of the team and we’ve chatted. He did what he did to put us in the best position to build a team around him and win games. But he has never... it has been reported that he, or people close to him, have made certain comments. None of that is true. I’ve spoken with him directly. Whomever is creating that impression is mistaken”

The Patriots signed wideout Danny Amendola to a 5-year, $31 million deal last week, but Kraft insisted that retaining Welker was the priority. Welker signed a two-year, $12 million deal to play with Peyton Manning in Denver.

Victor Cruz hopes he's headed to Giant payday before end of season

Victor Cruz has had his detractors.  The New York Giants wide out had a breakout season in 2011 — catching 82 passes for a franchise record 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns — ending with the walk-on New Jersey native holding up the Lombardi Trophy last February.

Coming into this season, some still thought that defenses would catch up with the fleet-footed Cruz and had already shot his wad with his "career" year.  Critics predicted Cruz's trademark end zone salsa moves would be farther and fewer between in 2012.

Now Cruz wants everyone to know he hopes there's a lot more hip shaking in his Giants future — but it'll come with a bump in pay.

Cruz is pushing the Giants to rework the final year of his NFL minimum $540,000 contract —  although he wants his focus to be on the football field — and pay him what other comparable players get.  The Giants have gotten their money's worth out of Cruz's bargain basement price tag and the sale is almost over.

If you compare Cruz's stats to the to numbers of the NFL's current crop of elite receivers, the Giants deep threat might want to change his celebratory dance to a tango — as in tango and cash.

On Tuesday, Cruz told WFAN during his weekly spot he hopes a deal is struck sooner than later.

"I'm just in a position right now where I'm focused on football," said Cruz.  "I have people, my agents and things like that, to worry about that stuff.  But as a human being, you obviously want to ... you hope you get it done before the season's over."

Cruz has 50 receptions for 627 yards and seven touchdowns through six games.  It puts him on pace to top last year's career year with 114 catches for 1,433 yards and 16 end zone hip shakes.

Compare that with the NFL's other breakaway wideouts and you can see why Cruz is looking at a windfall.

New England Patriots slot receiver Wes Welker has 54 grabs for 688 yards and two touchdowns this season and will be getting $9.5 million for his services.  The Buccaneers' Vincent Jackson, he of the 27 catches for 586 yards and 5 TD's commands $11 million per.

Where does this put Cruz — who combined with Hakeem Nicks — who gives Giants quarterback Eli Manning two formidable deep threats?  In pretty good company.

"I didn't want to come in and try to prove anybody wrong or prove all the doubters wrong," Cruz added.  "Because I think what I did last year proved a lot of people wrong in itself."

After a Twitter frenzy suggested Cruz should hold out — lest he gets injured — the wideout responded.

"Never happen," said Cruz.  "If I'm going to do that I might as well do it at the beginning of the season, not wait until I'm doing well."

Sounds like Cruz will be shaking his moneymaker for other reasons this season.

"I love this team, I love this organization," he said.  "I want to, God willing, one day retire a Giant."

Wes Welker gets into scuffle at Aspen bachelor party

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker and several of his pals got into a fight with security guards as he was preparing for his upcoming Aspen, Colo. wedding.

Welker and six of his friends— at an unofficial bachelor party—  scuffled with the security guards when they tried to enter the Patron tequila-sponsored  "Summerology" event Friday night, according to Page Six of The New York Post.

Sources said Welker had to be "physically restrained" after he strolled into the gala at the restaurant Above the Salt with his crew and tried to rush in without checking in with the party staffers.

After security tackled the group, witnesses said the Pro-Bowl NFL star and his posse still wouldn't cooperate and demanded to be let in to the event— which is party of the weekend's 30th annual Aspen Food & Wine Classic.

"Security tried to subdue the group" when a brawl almost broke out, reports Page Six.  "Security then physically restrained  [Welker] and his group to break everything up.

Welker and his boys weren't arrested but police had threatened to do so.  "Security calmed them down and kicked them off the property," the source said.

Aspen police confirmed there was a record of a "lecture and release" incident at the restaurant Friday night, but couldn't confirm if it was Welker's group.

Despite the brouhaha, Welker and his friends continued their own version of "The Hangover" by attending festival events and posting photos on his Twitter account.

The NFL star is in Aspen preparing to marry his fiancee, Anna Burns, a model who was crowned Miss Hooters International 2005.

Earlier in the weekend, Welker tweeted: "Getting married in 6 days and fired up about the reception.  Marrying the most beautiful girl in the world."

Niether Welker, the Patriots or Patron got back to Page Six.

Maybe if the restaurant had Gisele Bundchen working security at the door, Welker would have been better mannered.

Brady Already Planning Patriots Super Bowl Victory Bash

The New England Patriots landed in a gusty Indianapolis airport yesterday in preparation for Super Bowl XLVI but, along with the wind, Tom Brady got a little controversy swirling around the team as well.

After saying goodbye to 25,000 fans at a Gillette Stadium send-off, the confident Patriots quarterback— and New York Giants No. 1 target— Brady took it upon himself to predict a victory party celebration back home after his team faces the Giants next Sunday.

Brady's huffing and puffing also fanned the New York media's flames.


"We're going down there for one reason," said Brady before the team boarded their charter flight to Indianapolis and the showdown with the Giants.  "We're going to give it our best and hopefully we'll have a lot more people at our party next weekend."

Talk about putting a bigger bull's eye on your back.

Brady's words whipped the Foxborough crowd into a frenzy and high hopes against a team that beat them, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII four years ago.

The Pat's QB later toned down his comments after he realized they had become bulletin board material for the Giants— especially their defense.

"Well, it was a pep rally," Brady said.  "People were pretty excited.  Certainly the players were excited.  I know the 25,000 fans who were there were excited as well."

Brady wasn't the first Giants opponent to send out victory party invites before a victory.

Vernon Davis, the San Francisco 49ers tight end had his fans ready to party before the Giants beat his team, 20-17, in overtime in the NFC Championship Game last Sunday.

The Patriots Wes Welker was asked by a reporter if his quarterback's remarks meant the Patriots were already planning a party?

"No. No, not at all," Brady's favorite target said. "We're planning on this game.  And putting a game plan together and getting ourselves ready to play is kind of objective number one."

Later, an even more subdued Brady lavished praise on the the four guys who will be in his face all day next Sunday—  the Big Blue pass rush.

"It's been a strength of the their team for as long as I can remember... Michael Strahan, as great a player as he was... and I think we played them in '03 and they were still harassing the quarterback so... it seems like they always have guys that rush the quarterback," said Brady.  "Justin Tuck is as good as they come.  Osi [Umenyiora], week in and week out, he's a player that can ruin a game  for an offense."

It sounds like Brady has put the party hats and Sam Adams beer on hold.