That's selling the 5-foot, 9-inch Welker short because possession receivers don't score 99-yard touchdowns like he did last night in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' convincing 38-24 season-opening victory over the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Blow the top off the defense? Welker certainly did. No deep threat required.
The 99 Restaurant is going to have to add a Welker entree to the menu. And the next time someone refers to Welker as a possession receiver? "Well, if they do I'll definitely remind them of that play," said Welker of his 99 1/2 yard TD.
One play after Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne misfired on a fade route to Brian Hartline on fourth and goal from the half-yard line, Tom Brady dropped back to pass in his own end zone. After changing the play pre-snap, he whipped a pass to Welker, who was in one-on-one coverage with Miami cornerback Benny (Poor) Sapp. Welker caught the ball at about his 18-yard line and with safety Reshad Jones taking a poor angle, he simply outran Sapp and raced into the history books, tying the NFL record for the longest touchdown from scrimmage and defying perception and stereotypes with each stride.
Photos: Patriots-Dolphins "Wes is a great overall receiver. People think one thing about him. You'll see he'll hurt you in many different ways," said Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty. "Fortunately for us we get to see it every day in practice and get better with it."
It was the 12th time in NFL history a 99-yard touchdown pass play was scored. The last came in 2008, when Gus Frerotte and Bernard Berrian connected. Welker's long-running reception is a feat -- not to be confused with Welker's favorite word, feet -- that Randy Moss never accomplished. Neither did Jerry Rice, Lynn Swann, Bob Hayes, Lance Alworth, Don Hutson or any of the game's other revered big-play practitioners.
The 99-yard TD was Welker's second score of the game and part of an eight-catch, 160-yard effort. That's 20 yards per catch. Might be time to talk contract extension for Welker.
