Report: Welker benched (briefly)
Bill Belichick apparently didn’t find the humor in Wes Welker’s infamous press conference this week.
Welker referenced the word “foot” or some variation 11 times during his Thursday meeting with the media, a subversive dig at Jets coach Rex Ryan’s alleged personal peccadilloes.
CBS, which is broadcasting today’s Jets-Patriots matchup, reported just before opening kickoff that Welker has been benched for some portion of the game. The duration of the benching was uncertain.
(Update, 4:57: p.m.: If Welker indeed was benched, it was apparently for just a series. He’s out there lined up in the slot on the Patriots’ second possession.)
Belichick refused comment on Welker’s press conference earlier this week, but once the Jets got wind of his words, it became a matter of contention, with Jets linebacker Bart Scott threatening that Welker’s “days in a uniform are numbered.”
While Welker’s tactic was clever, Belichick frowns upon trash-talking with an opponent before a game.
Welker was on the field to handle punt return duties after the Jets’ first possession stalled. He called a fair catch, then left the field as the offense came on.
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