Welker 'Proud To Be A Patriot'
BOSTON (CBS) – New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker is having the best start in his NFL career.
A year removed from knee surgery, Welker is putting up record numbers. He has hauled in 45 catches for 740 yards, both tops in the NFL.
He is also in the final year of a five-year, $18-million deal he signed with the Patriots in 2007. While he isn't focusing on next year, he would like to remain a Patriot.
"Of course I want to stay here but as of right now I don't really think about it," he said on a conference call with the Dallas media. "I just try to focus on this year and everything I can do to help the team this year."
"I am always proud to be a Patriot in everything we're trying to accomplish here," he said. "I think we have a great owner and great coaches and they have put together a great model for us to go out there and succeed. Any time you're a part of that, it's a pretty special thing."
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The normally even keeled Welker even had to admit his 2011 numbers are pretty amazing.
"I don't think you can really look at them and not think this is a little bit crazy," said Welker. "But at the same time I try not to really think about it. Just try to get open and catch the ball and play for my team."
While Welker said his success does not come as a surprise, he did say without Tom Brady throwing him the ball things would be much different.
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"There's no question. There's no way I would (be the same without Brady)," he said. "I think in my time in Miami I went through four or five quarterbacks and didn't play as much. Being here, with Tom, in this offense, I am not going to sit here and say I'd have the same numbers. No way."
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