Belichick: Nothing going on with Welker

Patriots coach Bill Belichick made his weekly appearance on The Big Show Monday, discussing amongst other things the team's loss to the Cardinals and receiver Wes Welker. 

Belichick maintained that there is nothing out of the ordinary going on with Welker. The veteran receiver did not start for the Patriots against the Cardinals and didn't have a reception until late in the first half. Welker finished the game with five receptions for 95 yards on 11 targets. 

"I think if you look at Wes' play time over the last five years since he's been here, it's been pretty consistent," Belichick said. "I don't think it's any different now than it has been. It's been pretty consistent."

Asked if he felt Welker's role within the offense has changed, Belichick replied, "no." He also noted that people shouldn't read too much into whether or not a player starts the game.

"I always think it's a lot more important who's in at the end of the game than at the beginning," he said. "We put the playing groups together, personnel groups together, and the plays together in the way that we think is best for that game plan and to do the things that we want to do in that particular game. That's the way that we've always done it. I don't really see that changing too much. That's the way it's been and that's the way I think it will be."

It's been speculated that Julian Edelman's improvement since last season has led to the Patriots using Welker less. Edelman has six receptions for 57 yards on the season.

"Julian's improved a little bit every year. I think he had a good training camp, but we'll do what we think's best every week for every player," Belichick said. "No player in particular but every player. … It's not about featuring one guy, it's about doing what's best for the team." 

The Pats lost to the Cardinals, a game that could have been a one-point victory had Stephen Gostkowski hit a 42-yard field goal. He missed it wide left, giving the Cardinals the ball back with one second left and sealing Arizona's 20-18 victory. Gostkowski had hit all three of his previous field goal attempts on the day, including one from 53 yards and one from 51 yards. 

"Steve had a real good day for us," Belichick said, later adding that "nobody works harder" than Gostkowski. "On all the kicks it's always the whole operation, not just the kicker." 

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