Reflecting on a Record: Welker hits 100 receptions for fifth time

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Slightly lost in last Sundays failed comebackand the "Should the Pats tank the last two games?" debate that's followedwas a pretty ridiculous record set by New England's Mustachioed Marauder, AKA Wesley Carter Welker.

In case you missed, although you probably didnt, with his 12-yard reception in the fourth quarter of Sundays game, Welker became the first player in NFL history to register five 100 reception seasons.

Lets take a second and breath that in:

FIRST. RECEIVER. EVER.

He now has one more 100-catch seasons than Jerry Rice. One more than Marvin Harrison. Two more than Herman Moore. Three more than Cris Carter. Four more than Larry Centers and FIVE MORE THAN TONY SIMMONS.

Thats absolutely unbelievable.

Seriously, take just one more second and breath it in. Inhale it like you're Snoop Lion (nee: Dogg) right before a big show:

FIRST. RECEIVER. EVER.

Of course, Welker's achievement is at least somewhat a product of the changing face of the NFL game. As offenses continue to evolve and passing records continue to fall (of the top 15 single-season passing totals, 11 have occurred since 2000), it's only natural for the receivers to start reaping some record-breaking benefits. So while Welker might be the first guy in more than 90 years of NFL football with five 100-catch seasons, it shouldn't be long before he has some company.

For instance, Brandon Marshalls only 28 years old and has four 100 catch seasons (including this one). Andre Johnson needs only seven catches over his last two games for his fourth 100 catch season. Reggie Wayne only needs three more catch for his fourth.

Then again, it's hard to imagine that Welker's done either. Before he hangs them up, he could have six or seven or who knows? Even nine 100 catch seasons under his belt.

The only question is which uniform he'll have tucked into that belt, and honestly, at this point, there's no use in really speculating. Obviously, if you ask any New England fan, or probably, any player in that Pats locker room, you'll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't want No. 83 back for another few years. We all know what he brings to this team. We all know how much he deserves a deal. BUT we also know that once Bill Belichick makes up his mind about somethingespecially when that "something" pertains a player's valuethere's usually no convincing him otherwise.

Anyway, like I said, we've got another few weekshopefully another sixbefore that issue comes back into play. For now, we'll just take another second and breathe in the wonders of Welker, and hope that it won't be long before he's got a shiny ring to go along with that ridiculous 'stache.

Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine

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