Denver Broncos Potentially Get Wes Welker Back
By Joe Morrone
For those of you who have been following Mile High Maniac as it relates to Wes Welker and the negotiations between the NFL and the players association on a new drug policy, we finally have an answer; sort of.
The players have approved the agreement but that may not be the end of the story. The league must also approve the deal and that is not as automatic as it seemed a few hours ago. The league is saying that there is no agreement and there are still issues to be resolved. Most believe the deal will get done but at this point it is unclear if Welker would be reinstated before Sunday.
However that might actually work in Welker’s favor. He hasn’t had a full practice since August 19th and his last partial practice was almost two weeks ago. Had there been an agreement earlier in the week that would have allowed Welker to get in a practice or two, there’s little doubt he would have played.
With due respect to the Chiefs, the Broncos should be able to handle them without Welker. The goal will now be to get the slot receiver ready for the showdown with the Seattle Seahawks a week from Sunday.
He will be with the Broncos from the Monday meetings all the way through the practices and preparations. What Welker brings to the offense will be much needed if the Broncos are going to compete with the Seahawks in the northwest.
Welker is Peyton Manning’s security blanket on third downs and is a unique threat in the red zone. The Broncos will need to be extremely efficient in both of those areas when they take on the Seahawks.
Welker’s presence will also open up the field for Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Thomas saw a lot of double teams on the outside last week but that will be much tougher to do if Welker is controlling the middle of the field.
There’s no question that Welker will want to play on Sunday and I know he knows the game plan, but the Broncos can beat the Chiefs without him. The Broncos need for Welker to be ready to go to work on Monday and be ready to play in a week.