Ex-New England Patriots OC Bill O'Brien says criticism of WR Wes Welker unwarranted - NFL News
Super Bowl XLVI was lost for New England Patriots after Wes Welker dropped what looked to be an easy catch during the fourth quarter.
That drop stopped a Patriots drive that looked destined to end with a touchdown and the Giants countered quickly with quarterback Eli Manning driving them forward for the game winning touchdown.
The Patriots were shattered after the defeat their second in the Super Bowl to the very same opponents.
Welker came in for huge criticism following the game for his role in the defeat from the average fan to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s wife.
The wide receiver was heartbroken after the loss.
On Saturday, ex-New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien who is now coaching Pennsylvania University’s football team said that Welker did not drop the catch and that the team had other plays which they could have scored from.
Talking to the Boston Globe he said.
"That wasn’t a drop. That would have been a tremendous catch, and he should never think twice about that. And it had nothing to do with us losing the game. There were many, many plays before that where we could have made better coaching decisions, and better
plays. That’s just one play of many."
The offensive coordinator also went on to praise Welker’s contribution to the Patriots season and said that criticism of the wide receiver was unwarranted after he performed so well in the entire year.
"I would tell (fans) they should be very grateful, I’m sure they are, to have a player like Wes Welker as a Patriot. He is what Boston is all about, in my opinion. He’s a hard-working guy, he’s a tough guy, he’s an honest guy, nothing was ever given to him…he’s
what Boston is all about.”
Except for that one catch in the Super Bowl, Welker had a brilliant 2011-12 regular season.
Welker made 122 receptions this season for a total of 1,569 yards and scored nine touchdowns helping the franchise end the regular season with a 13-3 record.
The Patriots qualified for the playoffs as the first seed in the American Football Conference (AFC) and crushed the Denver Broncos in the divisional round while a Tom Brady rushing touchdown in the dying minutes won them the AFC Championship.
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