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VIDEO: Wes Welker takes subtle jab at Rex Ryan with 11 references to feet during press conference

(Image via Deadspin)

To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the build-up to Sunday’s Patriots-Jets AFC divisional playoff game has turned into a war of words this week.

The never-shy Rex Ryan kicked things early off by criticizing Tom Brady in an attempt to get inside the QBs head and deflect attention from the 45-3 beat down the Jets took at the hands of New England in Week 13. Brady had supposedly done some jawing at the Jets sideline during their most recent match-up, which Ryan and his team didn’t appreciate. It all seemed like standard operating procedure between these two AFC East rivals.

But then yesterday, Jets’ CB Antonio Cromartie took things up a notch, telling the NY Daily News that Brady is  - and we’re quoting here – “an asshole. F*ck him.” And just in case he hadn’t done enough to piss off the Super Bowl favorites, Cromartie went on to declare his hatred for the entire Patriots team. It’s a classic case of a player taking his cues from the head coach, and then going a few steps further.

Which is why it also shouldn’t be surprising that Bill Belichick‘s guys have – to their credit – maintained the high road to this point. There’s clearly no benefit for the heavily favored Pats in getting baited into a trash talking contest, and you can bet that the hoody has laid down the law about such antics from his players. So Brady responded to Cromartie’s taunts by simply stating that he’d “been called worse”, and then going on to compliment the Pro Bowl cornerback.

But today, mild-mannered WR Wes Welker may have decided to enter the fray for the Patriots … and he did so in the most subtle way imaginable.

In case you missed it, there has been a cloud of controversy surrounding Ryan of late, thanks to the revelation that he shares a foot fetish with his wife. So, in what can only be interpreted as jabs at Ryan, Welker dropped ELEVEN foot references during his press conference with the media today. It’s really quite brilliant when you think about it.

Here’s the edited video of Welker’s 11 references to feet, stepping up or toes:

Well played, sir. Well played.

(full video & transcript of the press conference here)