FOXBORO --Wes Welker had only three receptions on Monday night against the Houston Texans, leaving him five receptions away from his fifth 100-catch season, which would be an NFL record.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick took the time during Friday's press conference to discuss what that potential milestone means.
"That's a lot of catches for a lot of years," said Belichick. "To be able to go out there and do it week after week, against all different coverages and all different match ups that you see, and all that, it's a real credit to Wes' ability, but also his toughness and his durability. He's taken a lot of hits out there.
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"Our slot receivers, historically, Troy Brown and Wes, have always caught a lot of balls . . . Welker even returns kicks for us sometimes. And he blocks. He's a tough kid. He's in there on a lot of plays. It's not all catches. He's in the blocking and running game. He had a big block on Ridley's touchdown run last week."