Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker sat down with Michael Irvin of the NFL Network for a chat that aired this morning, and Welker shared his thoughts on a variety of subjects, including why he’s been so successful, facing pressure and how he works with Chad Ochocinco. Here are a few of the highlights:

On how he is able to have success, despite his size: “The mind can be a powerful thing. I think just believing in yourself and if you go out there every single play with that mindset of hey, I’m going to make a play here, if I don’t make it, nobody is going to make it, I think ultimately that’s the most key thing about being a receiver.”

On getting cut by the Chargers and going to Miami: “I was pretty devastated after that and really didn’t know what was going to happen. I was kind of lost and next thing you know, I was on a plane to Miami. I was going to be on the practice squad at first there and then ended up getting bumped up.”

On if he thought he matched Jerry Rice’s record-breaking paces: “No, not at all. I thought I was going to return kicks and punts my whole career. I didn’t know that it could become this. At the time, I was just trying to keep a job. I was thinking the more receiver I can play, then they’ll see I can do that and help out there and they’ll keep me around longer.”

On the pressure of being the No. 1 target on the field: “It’s definitely pressure, but at the same time I love it. I love being that guy and having that attitude that I have to get this done for us and make sure that I’m making the plays necessary for us to win. You know, having No. 12 back there doesn’t hurt either and once you get that first play, it kind of takes the pressure off everybody.”

On how he encourages Ochocinco: “Keep on encouraging him and keep on bringing him along, talking about different routes and telling him at some point, you’re going to have to have a breakout game for us to win. We have all the confidence in the world that’s going to happen.”