Welker: 'Coaches coach, players play'

Wes Welker stopped by for a visit with Mut & Merloni at Gillette Stadium as part of WEEI's Patriots Monday.

The veteran wide receiver, who broke Troy Brown's team record for career receptions in Sunday's 20-18 loss to the Cardinals, is the center of controversy, as his playing time has diminished this season with no explanation from the team. Welker did not start Sunday's game, although he ended up seeing regular duty after tight end Aaron Hernandez went down with an apparent ankle injury in the first quarter.

Welker took the high road when asked about not starting.

"I really wasn't positive even leading up to the first series," he said. "I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I just go out there, and whenever my number's called, I go out and play. … It is what it is. Coaches coach, players play. That's all I can do."

Asked if there was any indication in the days leading up the game that Julian Edelman would be starting over him, Welker said: "A little bit, yeah. But you just continue to grind away and get ready for the week and prepare as if you're going to be going. And I did end up playing quite a bit in the game."

There has been some speculation that Welker might have an injury that the team is trying to hide, but Welker brushed that off.

"I feel great, I feel great," he said. "I'm ready to go."

Following Sunday's loss, Welker and some teammates said there were signs in practice last week that the team was not in sync.

"I think it was all through the week, it was just not being on top of it, too many mental errors and different things like that," he said. "I think Fridays are especially a day where mentally you've got to be really sharp. … As far as assignments and techniques and doing all those things right, it's a big day to make sure you're on top of all that stuff."

Looking at the Patriots' offensive struggles Sunday, Welker preached patience.

"I feel like we're always on the same page," he said. "We've got to do a better job of just practicing everything and making sure we're on top of it all. It still takes time. No matter how many weapons you have or anything else, everything's got to be clicking. And everybody's just got to work together to get there."

To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page [1]. For more Patriots news, visit the team page at weei.com/patriots [2].