Tommy McDonald.
I know all about McDonald's career; OU superstar 1954-56, then a 12-year NFL wide receiver who in 1998 was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
I know what McDonald did. But I don't know how he did it. I have few snapshots of McDonald's style or talents. So I went to someone who does.
And Clendon Thomas says yes indeed, Welker and McDonald are a good match.
"Absolutely,” said Thomas. "Tommy was very quick. And Tommy had an uncanny ability to catch the ball. So does Wes. He's a fabulous ballplayer.”
Welker is 5-foot-9, 185 pounds; McDonald was 5-9, 178, although admittedly in the 1960s there were no 260-pound linebackers.
McDonald's best years look very much like Welker's 2007, adjusting for the shorter schedule. In 1960, McDonald had 39 catches for 801 yards and 13 touchdowns, and his Eagles won the NFL title. In 1961 and 1962, McDonald averaged 81.7 yards and 81.9 yards receiving per game, extraordinary numbers for almost 50 years ago. Welker's 2007 average: 73.4.
Thomas knows both players well. He was a backfield mate of McDonald in 1955-56 at OU, then played 11 years in the NFL as a cornerback, matching up against
