No doubt the biggest turning point in Super Bowl XLVI was the embarrassing drop by Wes Welker on what would’ve been at least a 30 yard gain, possibly a touchdown, on the final drive in which New England held the lead. Sure, Aaron Hernandez and Deion Branch made some drops, but Hernandez is still developing his game and Branch is extremely mediocre.
Welker on the other hand, had 22 catches more than anyone in the NFL this season, and he’s developed a reputation as the greatest slot receiver in the game’s history. So for him to blow such an easy catch like that, a grab he’s made 100s of time…kind of looked like what you’d see when someone’s point-shaving.
While New York Giants fans celebrated their victory at the Parade in New York City – Boston locals got a 900 pound sweet surprise courtesy of Pawngo, the first online pawn shop, in the center of Copley Square in the heart of Boston. 900 pounds, or 8,000 bars of Nestle Butterfingers were piled high with a sign entitled, “Thank you Wes Welker” – making everyone in the area stop to take pictures, grab a bar, and have a laugh.
Photo Credit: Katherine Castro Photography.
“Pawngo Gives Wes Welker a 900 Pound Sweet Ending For a Bitter Season”
I still think the comments made by Gisele were a over the line. And Tom Brady didn’t have a perfect game either. Still, there’s already talk that Welker could be done in New England. And I don’t think this publicity stunt will help the cause to keep him around. And in Welker’s defense, he really took the drop and the loss very hard, and did not shirk responsibility for not corralling that crucial throw. And you gotta feel for him on this- when we make mistakes at our job are 111.3 million people watching? No one pays $3.5 to advertise for 30 seconds at our jobs.
From The Penalty Flag:
They might want to hold off bashing a potential free agent that has averaged 111 receptions in the last five years and has been Brady’s most consistent receiver.
It was Welker’s first drop with the Patriots that was 10 yards or more downfield and only having five drops all season, Welker blames himself.
“The ball is right there. I’ve just got to make the play. It’s a play I’ve made a thousand times in practice and everything else. It comes to the biggest moment of my life and don’t come up with it. It’s discouraging,” Welker told reporters.
“It hit me right in the hands. I mean, it’s a play I never drop, I always make. The most critical situation and I let the team down.
“We work on it all the time and try to make plays. It’s one that will take a while to shake off, that’s for sure,” he added.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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