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Wes Welker, after failing to be drafted, was cut after signing with the San Diego Chargers. He came back to hurt them in the playoffs, as he’s hurt every Patriots opponent this year

PHOENIX — Wes Welker can't say he saw this coming. Yes, he dreamed of playing in the Super Bowl like any kid who tossed a football in his driveway or got down in a three-point stance on the backyard grass.

But catching 112 passes from the best quarterback on the planet over a 16-game NFL season? No.

Catching 16 more and scoring two touchdowns in the Patriots' two playoff wins? No.

Telling and retelling his personal story to strangers so more strangers can get to know him? No.

"My first year in the NFL, I didn't even have a playbook or anything like that," said Welker, remembering a time only three years ago. "It was get back there, return kicks and punts. I thought I'd do that for the rest of my career. Then I just worked hard and tried to develop the rest of my receiving skills and it's kind of come to this."

Kind of? Randy Moss may be the Patriots' record-breaker, blessed with the athletic gifts that enable him to outleap, outrun and outplay the mortals around him. Wes Welker simply outworks the men assigned to upset his plans of catching Tom Brady's passes.

Never mind that Welker began his NFL career in a Miami Dolphins uniform. He was meant to play for the Patriots.

Feel overlooked or underappreciated? Bill Belichick wants you. Eager to light your fire when everyone else just sees sparks? Belichick will hand you the kindling and the matches. That's why the Patriots traded for him last spring.

From Brady, the 199th player chosen in the 2000 NFL draft on down, the Patriots' roster is dotted with intelligent players who can't stop proving themselves. Kind of an Overachievers Anonymous, although after winning three Super Bowls and sitting on the verge of a perfect season, their cover was blown long ago.

Welker learned early that headlines and video clips can put you on the path to glory but don't always get you there. He was named Oklahoma's player of the year by several media outlets following his senior year at Heritage Hall High in Oklahoma City. That got him exactly one scholarship offer from a Division I school. Texas Tech beckoned Welker but only after another scholarship player walked away.

He was 18 years old and already getting his reality check. Four productive years at Texas Tech yielded NCAA and school records in returns and receptions. Three times he was named to the All-Big 12 first team. His payoff? Silence.

Nobody called Welker's name in the 2004 NFL draft. Later he signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers. They cut him.

"I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said that I couldn't play," said Welker. At 5-foot-9 he knew he wasn't very big, even for a running back. "After a while you kind of take it in stride."

He can't say when he stopped listening. He was born tough. Big brother Lee, 4, welcomed Wes into the world by pinching his nose, according to a story on ESPN.com. Hello, kid.

"Where did I get my toughness? From the beatings my big brother gave me," Welker said Monday. No, it wasn't bullying so much as the sibling rivalry in most families.

"My dad will say I got my toughness from my mom. I think he's right."

Shelley Welker refused to let Wes' dream of playing big-time college football die, no matter how many doors were closed. Welker was prepared to try out for Oklahoma as a walk-on. Then the Texas Tech offer came through.

"Nothing really bothers me. I know my capabilities and I think the coaches know. We try to play to those strengths and from there I just go out there and execute my plays. I don't really worry about the size, the speed, anything else."

He'll admit to butterflies Sunday just before kickoff. He'll want to feel them, he said.

"He's a tough player," said Belichick. The words are meant as high praise. "He killed us every time we played (Miami). In fact, in one game he even kicked off and kicked...