Patriots' Wideout Welker: 'The Slot Machine' Keeps Paying Off

November 10, 2008 5:15 p.m. EST

Foxboro, MA (AHN) - Over the last two seasons, New England Patriots wideout Wes Welker has become the workhorse of the team's passing game.

Welker's role is even more critical with quarterback Matt Cassel taking over for Tom Brady.

A former Dolphin receiver from 2004-2006, over the last two seasons, Welker has blossomed into a premier player, and has both Randy Moss and Matt Cassel to thank for that.

Patriot receiver Moss is one of the fastest, deep threats in football. With quarterback Tom Brady able to hook up with him quite often, he was a big key to the Patriots success last season.

Welker's importance, however, could not be more heavily stated in both benefiting and complementing Moss.

The opposing defense would often scramble to cover Moss, often double or triple covering him - leaving Welker wide open for the slot.

The Slot Machine, as he has become known as, rolled up 112 receptions for 1175 yards last season, and 66 receptions for 610 yards in this campaign. .

With Welker such a steady short-range threat, teams could not afford to give Moss the respect that was needed, lest the Patriots march up the field. This allowed Moss to go for 1,493 yards on 'just' 98 receptions.

This year, with Cassel's inexperience factoring heavily on the offensive plays, Welker has been his preferred passing target.

Welker's experience getting open on the screen or short route, and allowing Cassel to hit him for the first down while protecting the football, are major reasons why.

Moss has seen little action this year as a result of Cassel's inability to connect over long distances, but the Pats have begun to utilize him on shorter routes.

He is used occasionally as a blocker for Welker, and even more unexpected choices like running back Kevin Faulk (who is doing less running and more catching), Benjamin Watson (at least when he's healthy) or third string receiver Jabbar Gaffney.

Welker, a former scholarship student of Texas Tech, was undrafted after his college career, but did sign as a free agent with the Chargers.

He was cut almost immediately, but signed on with the Dolphins.

In 2007, the Pats traded a second-round and seventh-round pick for Welker, an investment that has certainly paid off.