If fans were surprised to see that Julian Edelman was starting over Wes Welker against the Cardinals on Sunday, they weren't the only ones. Even Welker didn't know if he was starting going into New England's first series.
"I really wasn't positive even leading up to the first series," he told WEEI on Monday. "I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I just go out there, and whenever my number's called, I go out and play . . . It is what it is. Coaches coach, players play. That's all I can do."
Welker said that before the game there were some indications that Edelman may start.
"A little bit, yeah," he said. "But you just continue to grind away and get ready for the week and prepare as if you're going to be going. And I did end up playing quite a bit in the game."
But not as much as Edelman, and much less than he has in recent years.
What's odd is that no one has any definitive answers as to why. Including Welker, apparently.