As went Troy Brown and Wes Welker, as went the Patriots offense.
If the Patriots needed a tough catch, Tom Brady would seek out #80 then and #83 now.
Just as Drew Bledsoe had Ben Coates, Brady has been blessed with two players in his career that seemed to read his mind.
Brady threw it and they caught it.
Simple as that.
Brown and Welker were cut from the same cloth and Brady was their tailor.
They all helped sew up many victories for the New England Patriots franchise over the last 10 years.
Brown and Brady.
Welker and Brady.
They were interchangeable.
Troy Brown and Wes Welker were carbon copies of each other and travelled down very similar paths to the NFL.
Brown was drafted by the Patriots in 1993 during the eighth round and was cut during the season.
Welker went undrafted in 2004 and was signed by the San Diego Chargers. He made the team then he too was cut during the season.
Both players didn’t crack the starting lineup right away and earned playing time on special teams.
They contributed by returning punts with spot duty as wide receiver.
Brown and Welker both clawed and scratched for everything in the early stages of their careers.
There were no handouts and these men are too proud to accept them.
They knew that hard work and the will to compete would pay dividends soon enough.
And they did.
Brown finally cracked the starting lineup as a wide receiver in 2000. Welker’s road was not as long, as he became the third wide out for Miami in 2005.
The difference between great football players and good football players is that great ones exceed expectations and good ones just meet them.
Troy Brown and Wes Welker have proven that good is not good enough.
Troy Brown flourished in the new millennium. As a first time starter in 2000, Brown caught 83 balls for 944 yards and 4 touchdowns from then Patriots quarterback, Drew Bledsoe.
The 2001 season was a magical year for the Patriots and Troy Brown.
However, the beginning of the season was far from memorable.
The attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
The loss of franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe to serious injury.
The team was able to salvage their season on the shoulder of second year player, Tom Brady and the hands of Troy Brown.
Troy Brown had a team record and career high 101 catches. He also helped the team in their run to an improbable Super Bowl victory.
In the AFC Championship Game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Brown ran back a punt for a TD and recovered a blocked field goal which resulted in another score.
He also made an impact in the Super Bowl catching a key 23 yard catch on the final drive of Super Bowl XXXVI. It was a key play in setting up Adam Vinatieri’s game winning 48 yard kick.
Brown came back with 97 catches, 890 yards and 3 touchdowns in the 2002 season. With the emergence of Deion Branch and David Givens, Brown became the #3 receiver in 2003 where he posted 40 grabs for 472 yards.
However, Brown had a knack to come up with huge plays in the most crucial and high pressure situations. He was the leading receiver in the 2003 AFC Championship with 88 yards on 7 catches.
Brown had another impactful performance against Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Yet again, he was the target of Tom Brady during the game’s final drive. Brown caught 3 passes for 46 yards which helped set up Vinatieri for his second Super Bowl winning kick in three years.
Troy Brown always performed under pressure and was never fazed by the magnitude of the situation. He just did his job and sometimes the jobs of others.
In 2004, Brown only caught 17 passes but he played defensive back for the injury riddled secondary. He ended up finishing second on the team that year with 3 interceptions. Only true heady football players like Troy Brown could make such a positional transition with such ease.
His contributions on both sides of the ball and leadership on the sidelines helped the Patriots win another Super Bowl title and become the millennium’s first NFL dynasty.
As his physical skills started to diminish, Brown’s mental skills seemed to sharpen. The prime example of this took place during the 2006 AFC divisional playoff game versus the Chargers in San Diego.
The Patriots were down 21-13 with 5 minutes left. Tom Brady uncharacteristically threw an ill advised pass that was intercepted by the Chargers’ Marlon McCree.
Game over right?
Nope.
The game is never over if you are Troy Brown.
He stripped McCree and the Patriots recovered. They would go on to tie the game and later win to advance to the AFC Championship against the Colts.
Troy Brown signed with the Patriots over the summer of 2007 to become the second longest tenured Patriot behind QB Steve Grogan. He was put on the PUP list due to injury and wouldn’t play his first game until November 27th.
Step in Wes Welker.
After two productive seasons at Miami usually at the expense of the Patriots, Welker was traded to New England for their 2007 second- and seventh-round draft picks.
Belichick saw the true potential in Welker and knew he would flourish with Tom Brady as his quarterback.
The lack of receive talent and depth was a glaring problem in the 2006 season after the departures of Branch and Givens.
Troy Brown was not the wide receiver he once was.
These offensive deficiencies may have cost the Patriots a shot at another title.
Welker and former Raider and Viking, Randy Moss were both acquired prior to the start of the 2007 season.
Welker was a nice little player but could he be a contributor on week by week basis?
Would Moss “dog it” like he did Oakland?
It only took one game for these questions to be answered.
In the notorious Spygate game, Moss made 9 catches for 183 yards and a score. Wes Welker chipped in with 6 grabs for 61 yards and a TD of his own.
The greatest offensive attack in NFL history was born.
New England steamrolled through most of the season and Wes Welker became a force to be reckoned with. With Randy Moss able to stretch the field and demand double coverage, Welker was able to eat teams alive in the middle of the field.
He may not have had the physical size and skills as a Randy Moss, but his grit, tenacity, and the will to compete could match anyone in the league.
Welker’s playing style is something Troy Brown could truly appreciate because he played the game the same way. Ironically, Welker broke Brown’s team record for catches with 112 catches for 1175 yards and 8 scores.
Just like Brown in previous Super Bowls, Welker also shined on the league’s biggest stage. In the 2007 Super Bowl, Welker made 11 catches for 103 yards.
However, both Brown (inactive) and Welker’s hopes for a Super Bowl title and undefeated season were derailed by the likes of Eli Manning, David Tyree, and Plaxico Burress.
The 2007 season would be Troy Browns last as a NFL player, playing his whole career for the Patriots. He retired as one of the most beloved Patriots players and the team’s all time reception leader with 557 catches.
Welker in many ways has carried on Troy Brown’s blue collared style of play. He gets dirty and he always puts team first before himself.
He plays only one way, all out just like gritty predecessor
When Tom Brady needed a big catch he would target Troy Brown, now his security blanket wears #83.
If Brown could pick one player to break his franchise record for catches, there is no doubt he would choose Wes Welker.
Welker, in three seasons (123 catches in 2009 which is the second most in a season all time), has 346 catches.
On his current pace, Welker should break Browns record by the 2011 or 2012 season. He would do accomplish this feat in just 5 years where it took Brown 15 years. Of course, this all depends on how Welker heals from his knee injury and if OTA’s are any indication, he will be just fine.
Brown and Welker are cut from the same blue collar cloth.
They do not take no as an answer and they do not quit.
They play to the last whistle and they put team first.
It’s no coincidence that fans in New England love and adore them.
Brown and Welker may have hailed from South Carolina and Oklahoma respectively but their values are New England values.
Work hard and you will be rewarded.
All New England Patriots fans have been truly rewarded to see Troy Brown and Wes Welker leave it all out on the field.
We honor Bill Russell as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. In the dictionary next to the definition of champion, there should be a picture of Bill Russell.
Before he even entered the NBA, Russell experienced his share of collegiate basketball glory while playing for San Francisco State. Russell was the defensive core of a team that won 55 games in a row.
Russell was a shot blocking machine during his college career. After batting away 13 shots against the NCAA basketball powerhouse UCLA, legendary coach John Wooden said of Russell, “He is the greatest defensive man I've ever seen.”
And defense does indeed win championships in basketball, as SF State won back to back NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956.
Due to his stellar collegiate career, Bill Russell was an easy choice for captain of the US Olympic Men’s Basketball team in 1956. His winning ways continued on the world’s biggest stage. The United States squad would go on to defeat the USSR, 89-55 to capture the gold medal.
Before the age of 22, Bill Russell experienced championship glory three times.
And he was far from done.
The 6’9” center was a top prospect in the 1956 draft. The only question was which NBA franchise would choose this natural born winner.
Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach had Russell on his wish list. However, Boston was a winning NBA franchise and was picking at the wrong end of the draft to acquire a top talent such as Russell.
Red Auerbach never believed in the word, “never”.
Rochester passed on Russell with the first pick due to his $25,000 signing bonus and their need for a shooting guard. The defensive star from SF State fell right into the laps of the St. Louis Hawks with the number two pick overall.
Boston had St. Louis native son, Ed Macauley on their roster and the Hawks wanted the six time All-Star. Macauley had a sick son in Missouri so the trade would be perfect for both sides. Auberach would get a defensive stopper in Russell and the Hawks would get the gifted veteran in Macauley.
After the Celtics threw in prospect Cliff Hagan, the trade was complete. Bill Russell was now a Boston Celtic.
Red got his man. Little did he know it would be one of the important and perhaps most lop sided trades in NBA history.
After his successful Olympic run, Russell was ready to embark on his NBA career. Joining his teammates during the 1956-57 campaign, his first game was against the team that drafted him, the St. Louis Hawks. Russell shut down Hawks star, Bob Pettit and the “Hey, Bill” defense was born.
Anytime one his teammates needed defensive help, they would shout, “Hey, Bill.” Russell would respond to the request and cover his opponent with his defensive blanket. This tactic proved very successful and helped the formerly offensively minded Celtics become a defensive team.
They finished with a 44-28 record and a berth in the post-season. After dispatching the Syracuse Nationals in three straight games, the Celtics reached their first NBA Finals in team history.
Russell would yet again face Bob Pettit and the St. Louis Hawks, but this time it was for the championship. The series would go seven games and game seven would go to double overtime.
The Celtics survived a Pettit last second shot attempt to win their first NBA title with a hard fought grinding win, 125-123.
After a disappointing loss to the Hawks the following season in the Finals, a now healthy Russell was ready to make during the ’58-’59 campaign. He averaged 16.7 points and 23 rebounds per game (blocks were not an official stat as of yet).
The Celtics would win their first championship against the then Minneapolis Lakers for the franchise’s second title in three years.
Wilt Chamberlain became Russell’s biggest rival during the ’59-’60 season. It was a battle of the league’s best offensive player versus the best defensive player. Some called it the “Big Collision”.
“The Battle of the Titans” would meet again in the NBA playoffs. Chamberlain had an offensive explosion, but Boston outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers in six games. The Celtics would meet the Hawks yet again for the championship prevailing in seven games.
Russell was dominate on the boards with 40 rebounds in Game Two (a NBA record) and 32 rebounds in the decisive Game Seven. He came to play when it mattered most.
The Celtics were now a bona fide dynasty with three titles in four years. However, no one could have fathomed what Russell and his teammates would accomplish.
As Russell went so did the Celtics, he would improve every year and the team would do the same in the standings.
Boston would defeat the relocated Los Angeles Lakers in the ’61, ’62, ’63, ’65, ’66 Finals. They also would beat the SF Warriors led by Wilt Chamberlain in ’64. It was no surprise that Russell was dominant during this championship span. He won the league’s MVP in ’61, ’62, ’63, and ’65.
Russell long time mentor and later long time friend, Red Auerbach retired prior to the ’66-’67.The search was now on for his successor. His replacement would always be in his championship shadow.
Well that’s of course unless you hire a nine time NBA champion center. Bill Russell became the first African American head coach in league history. He told the press regarding his hiring, “"I wasn't offered the job because I am a Negro, and I was offered it because Red figured I could do it."
The Celtics championship streak ended that year at eight straight. Wilt Chamberlain and the Sixers were too much for Boston as they won the playoff series four games to one.
Bill Russell experienced his first real loss of his career (he was injured in the ’58 Finals) in 1967. While in the starting lineup, he had won 11 championships on the amateur and professional levels.
Russell went out like all winners do, on top.
He would win two championships versus the Lakers and his last could have been his sweetest.
After six tough and exhausting games, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke lit a fire under the Celtics by adding "proceedings of Lakers victory ceremony" on the Game Seven leaflets. Russell used this as a sign of disrespect and motivation for his team.
It worked.
Boston would defeat Los Angeles yet again for their 11th NBA Championship.
Russell’s departure after the ’68-’69 season was quite controversial. He didn’t attend the teams’ championship rally and said he owed the public nothing. He abruptly retired and cut all ties with the franchise. Red Auerbach was quite shocked about the developments.
Time heals all wounds as the Celtics retired Russell’s number in 1972.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.
Russell is considered one of the best players of his generation and the history of basketball.
He helped to revolutionize defensive play in the NBA and his five league MVP’s justifying his true impact on the game.
He even ran out of fingers and thumbs for his mind boggling 11 championship rings.
Russell was also the foundation of one of most successful dynasties in the history of sport.
He is playing football for the New England Patriots.
It may just be non contact OTA’s, but look how far he has come since that dreadful January day in Houston.
Welker was making a routine cut against the Texans but his knee didn’t react in the routine way.
He tore his ACL(initially it was thought he tore his MCL as well). He knew his season was over as he sobbed on the bench into a towel.
Little did we know the Patriots’ season was technically over that day as well. Without Welker the Patriots struggled mightily on offense as they got pasted by Baltimore in the Wild Card round at home.
What would life be without Welker?
Odds were that he may have suffered a Brady like injury and may miss at least half of the 2011 season. Which raised the question, who would replace Wes Welker?
Would Julien Edelman become the heir apparent?
People were talking like he may never play again, but haven’t we learned anything about Welker’s determination and pure will to compete?
He went undrafted out of Texas Tech.
He was cut by the Chargers before signing with Miami.
Welker excelled at special teams and wide receiver to earn a starting spot with the Dolphins.
He became such a thorn in the Patriots’ side that they traded for him in 2007.
All he did in 2007 was shatter Troy Brown’s franchise record of 101 catches with 112.
Then in 2008 WITHOUT Tom Brady, he caught 111 balls to post his second straight 1,000 yard season.
There is no way he could keep this pace up right?
By being the slot receiver he was always in the defenders cross hairs and sometimes they caught him.
And made him pay.
But he got back up and threw up his arms to energize the crowd.
Bascially saying “Bring It On!”
With Tom Brady back at the helm, he caught an eye popping 123 balls in just 14 games before his season ending knee injury.
All of New England gasped when he went down in a meaningless game in Texas.
Fans were angry.
Fans were upset and felt bad that Welker was injured in a game that meant nothing.
But Wes never felt bad for himself. It probably had the polar opposite effect, he took nothing for granted.
Football.
His career.
His success.
Nothing.
Sometimes pure will and determination to achieve a goal outweighs what doctors and medical professionals believe is the norm.
Because for a guy like Wes Welker nothing is the norm.
Who would have thought he would be the ONLY player in NFL history to have three straight seasons with at least 110 receptions.
The playoffs are where superstars shine. Adrenaline and pure will take over.
If you believe you can’t be stopped, usually you can’t.
However, sometimes when your game goes to a new level, this challenge inspires your competitor to wrestle the spotlight away from you.
This happened on May 22, 1988.
It was the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
It was Game Seven.
Celtics versus Hawks.
Bird against ‘Nique.
It was for all the marbles.
The question was what superstar would shine brightest on the big stage of the NBA Playoffs.
The answer.
BOTH of them.
The Human Highlight reel and Larry Legend couldn’t be any more polar opposite in their playing styles.
Bird was pure finesse and poetry in motion.
Wilkins was more shock and awe.
And so was the series to a degree.
Both teams put consecutive solid efforts together. Boston won the first two contests then the upstart Hawks took the next three including Game Five on the parquet.
However, Boston was not going to throw the towel in. That’s not Celtics basketball.
The Green was able to salvage their season with a 102-100 squeaker in Atlanta.
Now it was on to Game Seven at the Boston Garden or was it the O.K. Corral?
This ended up being a gunfight, a duel, and battle of two wills.
It would be last man standing.
It seemed as though the other eight guys were not even on the court. This day belonged to Mr. Bird and Mr. Wilkins.
The Hawks were not intimidated by the sixteen banners that hung overhead or the ghosts of Celtics past as they took a 2 point lead going into the final quarter.
Dominique was dominating the matchup thus far and Bird was shooting blanks.
Larry only had 14 points and was having an average game. An average game for him was a disappointing performance in his mind. He wasn’t about to let his team down when they needed him most.
Bird had his whole arsenal to his disposal.The three pointer. The layup. The floater. The jumper. The prayer.
He was taking over the game, but Dominique answered the challenge. The Human Highlight Reel didn’t rely on shock and awe only. He opened up his bag of tricks as well.
It was a prize fight and there would only be one winner. However, this bout went to a 10 count.
As time winded down, Bird landed the knockout punch to ‘Nique and the Hawks as his layup cemented a 118-116 series clinching victory.
The Celtics and Larry Legend were not the only winners on this day. Dominique Wilkins had his defining moment and established himself as a true superstar of the league.
However, the fans who witnessed this incredible symphony of athleticism, leadership, and hunger to win were the true winners.
Bird finished this epic battle with 34 points with 20 coming in the decisive fourth quarter. Wilkins had a career performance by posting 47 points with 14 coming in the final frame. He was an incredible 19 from 23 from the field.
Sometimes the legend needs a young gun to challenge them. They need to be called to streets to defend their turf and honor.
Thank you Dominique for bringing the best out of Larry Bird.
The Patriots’ championship defense ended quite quickly at the hands of the Denver Broncos in the divisional playoff.
Now New England was at a crossroads with three important cogs in their championship machine.
Wide receivers David Givens and Deion Branch unknowingly at the time played their last game in a Patriots uniform.
Givens bolted to the much greener pastures of the Tennessee Titans. The Titans made an offer to the wideout that the Patriots declined to match.
Givens was good in the regular season but was great in the post season. Beginning with the 2003 AFC Championship Game, he scored a touchdown in seven straight playoff games including Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX.
It turns out the Patriots not only had to replace Givens but also had a disgruntled Deion Branch on their hands.
Branch, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, wanted to be treated and paid as a top tier wide receiver in the NFL. He rejected New England’s contract extension and began a lengthy hold out.
After three months and $600,000 in fines, the Patriots allowed Deion Branch to seek a trade. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on September 11, 2006 for a first round pick in the 2007 draft (which became Brandon Meriweather).
Money was also the issue with two time Super Bowl hero and place kicker, Adam Vinatieri. New England chose not to put the franchise on him.
Vinatieri shopped his services to the Packers and the Patriots arch nemesis, the Indianapolis Colts.
He chose the upside down horseshoe of the Colts and now one of the most beloved athletes in New England sports history was now the enemy.
New England was going to enter the 2006 without their top two receivers and hall of fame kicker from the previous season.
Would rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski ever fill Adam Vinatieri’s shoes?
Not unless he wins three Super Bowls, so that question was a bit unfair.
Could Troy Brown and the newly acquired, Reche Caldwell fill the huge void in the passing game?
Well if you have Tom Brady under center, anything is possible.
New England came out of the gate on fire. They went 6-1 in their first seven games, with their only loss to the Broncos in Denver. The Patriots historically have never played well in the Mile High City and their 17-7 loss was no different.
The Patriots faced the Colts in week 9. The Colts were 7-0 and New England stood at 6-1. This bout would have strong implications on the AFC playoff picture. The winner would have the inside track to home field.
Peyton Manning outdueled Tom Brady this time. He threw for 326 yards, 2 td’s and 1 INT.
Brady on the other hand, struggled mightily. He had one of his worst games of the season throwing for just 201 yards and being picked off four times.
Was the balance of power in the AFC shifting to the Colts?
After back to back losses to the Colts and Jets, the Patriots finished the season hot.New England won six of their final seven games to win yet another AFC East Crown at 12-4.
However, the Colts and Chargers earned the first round byes. New England would face the Jets in the rubber match during the AFC Wild Card round.
No contest.
The Patriots dismantled New York, 37-16. After a close first half, New England pulled away highlighted by an Asante Samuel 36 yard INT for a score.
New England now was off to the hostile environment in San Diego. No one gave the underdog Patriots a chance against the 14-2 Chargers.
And why should anyone? San Diego was that good, but that is why they play the games.
New England was grossly overmatched most of the game. They were hanging on for dear life. LaDainian Tomlinson was running right through the Patriots defense by running for 123 yards and two scores.
After Tomlinson found pay dirt for the second time, the lights were dimming on the Patriots hopes. They trailed 21-13.
On a fourth and five, late in the fourth quarter, Brady was intercepted and New England seemed doomed.
But someone forgot to tell Troy Brown that.
The heady Troy Brown stripped the ball and Reche Caldwell pounced on it.Air had been returned to the lungs of the Patriots.
Don’t give Brady a second chance because he will burn you. And burn San Diego he did.
Brady found Reche Caldwell with 4:36 left on the clock and the Patriots trailed 21-19. The smoke and mirrors continued as Kevin Faulk took a direct snap for the two point conversion knotting the game up at 21.
The Pats defense stepped up and forced San Diego to go three and out. Tom Brady didn’t squander the opportunity. He found former Charger, Caldwell, down the sideline for a huge gain.
Rookie Stephen Gostkowski was no in position to write his own legacy by winning a big playoff game. He did just that by connecting on a 31 yard field goal with 1:10 remaining.
The Chargers made a frantic attempt to drive down the field.
However, Nate Kaeding’s long field goal fell short as the clock expired and the Patriots had an improbable 24-21 win.
Now it was off to Indianapolis, with a trip to yet another Super Bowl on the line.
But as the football gods giveth, sometimes they taketh away.
New England bloodied the Colts mouth in the first half.
After a 39 yard interception return by Asante Samuel, the Patriots were on cruise control. They were up 21-6 at the half and most of Patriots nation were making their travel plans for the big dance in Miami.
Not so fast.
The Colts have Peyton Manning who now had confidence. He proved he could beat the Patriots earlier in the season and even in their own house.
He led two scoring drives to tie the game up at 21-21. However, Tom Brady is no slouch. He answered Manning’s volley with one of his own.
Brady found Jabar Gaffney at the back of the end zone for 28-21 lead in the third quarter.
However, this see-saw battle had just got started.
Everytime New England took the lead, the Colts would come back to tie. Indianapolis wasn’t going away quietly.
Just as the Patriots hung around the previous week against San Diego, the Colts were turning the tables on them.
New England held onto a 34-31 late in the fourth quarter, but it wouldn’t be enough. The Patriots were gassed. The grind of the regular season and extra playoff game were wearing on them.
They were fighting to survive.
The 2006 AFC Title Game was survival of the fittest. And the Colts looked in tip top shape.
Joseph Addai took the handoff three yards to give the Colts the lead for good 38-34 with a minute left.
No heroics for Tom Brady this time as he threw a game ending interception. The Colts finally threw that red, white, blue, and silver monkey off their back.
Indy was headed to the Super Bowl and the Patriots were going home, asking what happened.
Missed opportunities.
Costly turnovers.
Dropped passes.
All mistakes that the past Super Bowl teams did not commit.
New England needed more weapons on offense if they were going to compete with the explosive Colts.
Reche Caldwell, Jabar Gaffney, and fan favorite, Troy Brown were not going to cut the mustard in the passing game.
And the defense needed a few younger studs as well.
The Patriots needed difference makers on both sides of the ball.
Check out the rest of the Fifty Years of Patriots Football Series:
