Wes Welker has remained relatively quiet about his former New England Patriots team. After a highly publicized contract battle throughout most of the offseason, Welker jumped over the Denver Broncos to begin a new era of his career. During most of the offseason workouts, Welker has stayed silent over his split with the Patriots, until now.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Welker admits that the main reason he opted to leave New England was because of head coach Bill Belichick. Denver was not coached by Belichick and that is what he loved about them. Welker told SI's Chris Ballard that Belichick "got on him in a way he never had before, admonishing him in front of the team."
"It was just kind of hard," Welker said via the Boston Globe. "One of those deals where you have to endure him, put up with him... But he does it to everybody, it's the way he is. He was very intense, wanted it done a certain way and was like, 'You can't do it a different way,'"
Welker still thinks about his former team when addressing the media. He admits that he chooses his words carefully when it comes to discussing the Patriots, always worried what Belichick will be thinking even though he is no longer part of the team.
While it is surprising to hear Welker speak out, it is not surprising to hear how he really felt. The wide receiver was not quiet on the fact that he believed the Patriots undervalued him. That was the reason for the contract dispute in the first time. Welker had long been Tom Brady's safety net and he wanted to get paid like it. New England was not willing to give him the money.
Now with the Broncos, Welker is learning a new way of thinking. Transitioning from one great quarterback to another, Welker is working on timing and chemistry with Peyton Manning.
"In New England, if the middle of the field was closed, I'd run a seam route," Welker said. "It's something I've been doing for six years now, so I have to teach my brain to do it the way [Manning is] expecting me to do it. At the end of the day you run it the way he wants it, or he won't throw it to you."
Manning recently told the Denver Broncos team website that after Welker signed with the team, he began studying old Patriots game film to figure out what the wide receiver's strengths were and what was the best way to use Welker on the field. The Broncos and Patriots will see each other on Nov. 24.
