Week Eight Stock Up/ Down

Paging Randy Moss. Randy Moss!

Since catching 3 touchdowns in his first 2 games Wes Welker has gone scoreless in his last 4. When you compare last year's NE roster to this year it's almost understandable why his production has fallen off.

• The 2010 draft brought in two high-caliber tight ends to pick up that short yardage/ crossing route throws that Welker was so accustomed to getting come out of the slot. 
• The trade for Deion Branch reunited Tom Brady with one of his favorite targets from years ago. In Branch's first game back he had 9 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. That has "looking for him" written all over it. 
• Welker's production came before the running game opened up for new starters and scorers Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. Before the emergence of those two Brady needed Welker's presence to score at the goal line. 
• Although his production fell off before the Randy Moss trade; perhaps Welker needs Moss to insure he gets his share of targets. Now the best deep threat they have is a 31 year old Deion Branch.

A guy quietly making leaps and bounds in the receiving and running game is the afore-mentioned Danny Woodhead; coincidentally mistaken for Welker after a week 4 touchdown against the Dolphins by one of the announcers for the Patriots Radio Network. Save for last week's game at SD, even with a 2-4 record SD does play much better defense at home, Woodhead has put up double digit fantasy points in 3 of his last 4 games. On the flip side Woodhead is filling in nicely for the Sammy Morris role of the Patriots offense being utilized not only as a WR but as a RB as well. If you don't roll the dice on Danny be sure to keep an eye on him to see what his production is vs. that of Wes Welker.