Texans defensive coordinator: Welker not real athletic

FOXBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- There hasn't been a lot of trash talk between the Pats and Texans this week -- but some tough talk from one of the Texans coaches is raising some eyebrows in New England.

Welker at 5-foot 9, 185 pounds, the shifty wideout is small for the NFL -- but quick as lightning.

Does he get the respect he should? Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is quoted as saying, "He's a good player -- but he's not that big or a real athletic guy."

Later, apparently realizing he may have given the Pats reason to get fired up, Phillips tweeted, “Wes Welker is a great athlete and one of the best receivers of all time. #twistthataround.”

“I had no idea that he said anything about that. Wes Welker is a very important part of our offense,” said Stevan Ridley, Patriots running back.

Fans shopping for items at the Patriots pro shop were not too happy with Phillips’ comment.

“That’s nuts. He’s going to be a problem. He’s definitely going to be a problem now when he hears that,” said Pete Firdych, a Pats fan.

Welker didn’t speak to the media on Friday, but Dannny Woodhead can relate. 7news asked him if his size means he has to play with a chip on his shoulder.

“I’ve always been 5-foot, 8. I don’t think that’s going to change, so I just got to play the game how I always try to play the game,” said Danny Woodhead, Patriots running back.