Comments on: Talks between Patriots, Welker described as “nonexistent”

By: chi01town

chi01town — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:50:19 +0000

The Patriots got billions of dollars they just went to there 5th Superbowl in 7 years. They can pay Wes Welker. Another greedy billionare football team trying to

get something for nothing. Get out now welker an you might get a fair deal somewhere else

By: truetrue85

truetrue85 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:44:37 +0000

Just insert another able body and the machine will keep going. Let some other team overpay and find out it was the system and not the player, meanwhile Edelman will pick up where Welker left off.

By: dspyank2k11

dspyank2k11 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:27:39 +0000

Edelman = Welker

By: patsfiend

patsfiend — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:24:22 +0000

I think if he had hit the open market he’d be surprised at how little (considering his #’s) he’d be able to get in a long term deal.

And, if he had left to take more money elsewhere, I think it would end up being a Deion Branch situation (he would not be as productive and would want to come back… for less.)

That being said, I hope they sign him to a 3 year deal and find some middle ground.

By: mgp1219

mgp1219 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:18:00 +0000

Yup, the Patriots are one big happy family – as long as your last name is Kraft or Brady.

By: i, flounder

i, flounder — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:15:34 +0000

and thats why they’ve won nothing since getting caught cheating.

By: blue18hutthutt

blue18hutthutt — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:15:21 +0000

To those saying that Welker is a product of the system, I say Welker is part of what makes that system possible for Brady.

As we learned from the misadventures of Ochocinco, it takes more than just athleticism to play in the Patriots offense – it requires the receivers to be intelligent, have a high football IQ and be able to make the right reads and adjustments before and after the ball is snapped.

I wouldn’t under-value Welker’s vital role in that offense – he is easily the best slot receiver in the league and Brady’s best safety valve and a master of killing defenses by death of a thousand cuts, 6, 7 yards at a time, keeping those chains moving in a big situation (except the Superbowl)

By: hugejazz

hugejazz — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:51:33 +0000

“Good soldier”? Seriously?

“Business side”? Also – Seriously?

It’s ALWAYS business with the Pats. More so than most any other team. The very second they see a slip, or even potential slip, in production you are out the door and they are onto the next walking meatloaf.

This last 9.5 million he’s making from the Pats this year is his severence package.

By: md228010

md228010 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:34:47 +0000

trade him to the broncos. Let Peyton utilize his skill as a high IQ wideout.

By: vcupats

vcupats — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:18:08 +0000

If the Pats get a willing trade partner, Welker is gone. I think getting Lloyd, Gaffney and Stallworth is writing on the wall. His numbers won’t be so great this year, so why not trade him before his value goes down?

By: bspuryear

bspuryear — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:17:28 +0000

Hey dvdman123 yes he had a major injury but with technology is the way it is these days a torn ACL isn’t that bad of an injury anymore.. At least to a workhorse like Welker who can get injured in the last game of the season and come back and start the season.. He has also so led the league in receptions AFTER that major injury and had the best year of his career. I am a huge Patriots fan and yes it is the system but that offense would not run nearly as effective if Welker isn’t there they need to pay the man he has earned it!!! GO Pats

By: eessppnn

eessppnn — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:12:25 +0000

valentino8100.
Well said. Love Welker, but love the Patriots more. He plays on a team the truly has a chance every year bc they don’t make bad finacial moves that prevent them from being flexible.
Strong middle class and it has worked 5 SB a perfect season.

By: ampats

ampats — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:52:46 +0000

As much as I would love the Patriots to sign Welker long term, they have always stuck to their business model where they put a price on the player as to what they feel is fair market value. From what I have read it seems the tie up is in the amount guaranteed,not the total $ value.

The Patriots do not make alot of mistakes in contract negotiations so I’ll see how this turns out.

The journey to New Orleans has begun and continues July 25

By: dvdman123

dvdman123 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:39:10 +0000

Come on now do you blame the Patriots? Welker is 31 years old…..I’m actually amazed they tagged him to begin with and are paying him $9.9 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE YEAR! That is a lot a money for a 31 year old receiver who has had a major injury already in his career. No “smart”team would commit long term.

By: swingondeesenuts

swingondeesenuts — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:27:41 +0000

While I think it would be nice for the Pats to take care of Welker, who has been a good soldier and great player for them, I can see both sides of this.

Welker is undersized and many think more a product of the system rather that an elite talent like Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, etc… The bottom line is worst case he signs the tender and gets $9.5 this year guaranteed, even if he gets hurt in camp. In the end that isn’t too bad and will buy him time to work out a new deal.

By: tinbender2000

tinbender2000 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:25:20 +0000

Bob Kraft = Mike Brown

By: valentino8100

valentino8100 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:07:16 +0000

This is a miserable situation for both sides. Welker is right in feeling that at least statistically, he has been the most productive receiver in the league as of late, and would like some security in the form of guaranteed money. He has been a good little soldier, and expects to be taken care of to an extent. The Pats front office sees an aging, albeit gracefully, slot receiver who may not be nearly as productive on another system, in whom they cannot afford to tie up big $ with so many other big # players to retain in the next several years. As a Pats fan, I want to show Welker some love, but wonder if I can afford to. The business side of the NFL rears it’s ugly head once again.

By: lgw91s

lgw91s — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:47:37 +0000

Not surprising. The Patriots set their price and stick to it. Its not what you have done in the past – its what you will do in the future. Wes is at that age where players seem to get nicked up a bit more, and usually lose a step.

By: fran021

fran021 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:15:27 +0000

I’m going to turn in my Patriots plates and as far as I’m concerned, they just bought space next to the Red Sox in my loyalty parking lot.

I know it’s a business, but c’mon, man.