they didn't miss Welker at all, Edelman did everything Welker could do. Welker is the most overrated player in the league.
This type of clear thinking logic will never fly in the NFL. They're too caught up in eliminating the extra point
Like Stephen A Smith said, what does Aqib Talibs injury have anything to do with the Patriots offense playing like crap? Nothing. If Belichick is trying to use this as an excuse then he is pathetic.
This play is only illegal if Welker hits Talib BEFORE the ball is touched by the receiver or is tipped...it was very close...too close to cry about the legality of it either way. Also, I don't believe Welker intended for an impact of that magnitude. I think Welker's intent was to force Talib to go in a certain direction to free-up his man, and when he didn't, there was no other choice but to brace himself for impact. It happened too fast. Remember the guy is coming off TWO concussions and just came back last week wearing a special helmet. Assuming the play was designed the exact way it happened is ridiculous. Welker is as likely to get hurt as Talib would be, if not A LOT moreso. Projecting intent to injure is just sour grapes. The collision was accidental. I think the intent was to bump Talib or just get in his way, not what accually happened. The play was not dirty. Shit happens, and it happened here.
From Rotoworld, The NFL confirmed that Wes Welker's hit on Aqib Talib in the AFC Championship Game was legal. Bill Belichick now looks even more foolish for whining about the collision that knocked Talib out. It wasn't offensive pass interference or unnecessary roughness because the "rub" occurred exactly when Demaryius Thomas got his hands on the ball. NFL VP of officiating Dean Blandino said he spoke to Belichick about the incident. "We talked about the situation and the play, and obviously there is a difference of opinion there and something that we'll continue to look at during the offseason," he said. Pick plays have been in the league forever, and are often run to perfection by both the Patriots and Broncos.