Welker Thrives in Leadership Role

[Denver Native (Carol)]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When Wes Welker signed with San Diego as an undrafted free agent, he admired fellow wide receivers Tim Dwight and Eric Parker.

As he enters his 11th season in the NFL, he is now taking on the role as mentor for younger players, especially rookie receiver Isaiah Burse.

“It's funny how he was an undrafted free agent, too, and he became so successful,” Burse said during rookie camp. “Just seeing him is kind of like a dream. For me, it's like I know I can do it. If he can do it -- not taking away from his ability or anything -- but I know if he can do it, I can do it. I want to learn everything from him so I can be successful, as well, in the future.”

rest - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Welker-Thrives-in-Leadership-Role/06e28b9f-368a-49c4-9a03-2bdd8f40b5a1

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Wes Welker knew numbers long before he started passing out hundreds in winnings at the Kentucky Derby. One-hundred four Division I-A college teams rejected his pleas for a college scholarship in 1999. Texas Tech reluctantly took him after a player bolted, and only then after a private workout.

Welker posted monster statistics for the Red Raiders, yet no NFL club deemed him worthy of a draft pick in 2004. He was too small, too slow, NFL teams thought.

Five Pro Bowls and 841 receptions later, Welker confronts his latest challenge, staring at a cold reality in Denver. This might not be his last chance at winning a Super Bowl — he's 0-for-3 in the big game — but this sets up as potentially his final season in Denver. The Broncos signed free agent Emmanuel Sanders to a three-year, $15 million deal in March. They drafted Cody Latimer in the second round.

rest - http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_25920692/broncos-wr-wes-welker-remains-motivated-win-his