With Wes Welker being in the news again (as a kicking options for the currently-kicker-less Patriots) I took it upon myself to go back and reminisce about the first time I discovered Wes Welker: his first NFL game against the New England Patriots.
Welker was an undrafted free agent out of college, and signed with the Dolphins in 2004. In week 5 of the 2004 season, the winless Miami Dolphins (0-5) travelled to New England to face the undefeated Patriots. Just before game time it was announced that Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare was a late scratch with a calf injury.
So to do the honors of the opening kickoff was... Wes Welker.
After the Patriots scored the opening touchdown of the game, it was Welker who returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards (his longest of the day: he would finish with over 100 KR yards for the game).
Welker wouldn't see the field again until towards the end of the first half, after a Jay Fielder TD pass to Chris Chambers drew the score to 10-6 New England: Welker was called upon to kick the extra point, which he did. This, believe it or not, was Wes Welker's first ever points scored in the NFL.
After the Patriots went 3-and-out on their next drive, it was (of course) Welker returning the punt; almost breaking it for a TD (as he would actually do in the next meeting between these 2 teams).
And then, the grand finale. Late in the third the Dolphins trailed 24-7, and a drive had fizzled out at the Patriot 11 yard line. Welker enters the game and not only kicks the field goal, but then kicks the ensuing kickoff, and is involved in tackling the returner on that same play.
After that game I remember turning to my father and saying "Pretty sure that Wes Welker guy will be a Patriot one day," knowing little of what was to become the most prolific passing offenses a couple seasons later on.
So yeah, Wes Welker. For all of his accomplishments, his first ever point in the NFL was a PAT.