Brady: Welker 'is huge part of offense'

FOXBORO -- In a clear effort to diffuse any controversy about the lack of production from Wes Welker on Sunday, Tom Brady said Wednesday that it's important to keep things in perspective. Welker was targeted just five times in 31 pass attempts, catching three passes for 14 yards. 

"I'm not sure," Brady said. "Every week is a little bit different. So, there's different opportunities on different weeks for different players. I think the thing that's important to remember is that it's a 16-game season so you start getting up there and play 600 or 700 plays every year, when you need it most you've got to be fresh. I think that goes for all of us.

"There's really a fine line because you're not pacing yourself by any stretch but at the same time, look it's Week 1. We've got a lot of football to play and we're going to need everybody. There's going to be games where Wes has not as many opportunities and there are going to be games where he has a ton of opportunties. It all depends on how the game may play out or the situation of the game. He's a huge part of this offense and what we do on a weekly basis. So, I'm sure there won't be too many games where he doesn't get a lot of opportunities."

As for his nose, which was not bandaged on Wednesday, Brady said he escaped without any serious damage. He joked that his supermodel wife Gisele Bunchden approved of how it came out after it was bloodied in Sunday's win over the Titans.

"Yeah, it feels a lot better," Brady said with a smile. "It OK, no problem. My wife likes it so I'm good."

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