Do you ever really know with BB though? There might be a deal coming down the road anyway.

I do feel bad about the fact that Wes has been nothing short of awesome in his time in NE and deserves a contract … but the blame is not with the Pats … they are playing by the rules … he should blame the players association for the crappy CBA.

The franchise tag is an abominal creation by ownership to screw players. (ask Drew Brees)

Your taking Alper to task on this report is completely off base. I’m not a big fan of the reporting on this site either, although I understand it’s their job to stir up controversy. You’re being a little hypersensitive here. All Alper said was he was being less than forthcoming when asked if he was going to be on the team next year. He was, he deferred the question to BB. As for Welker being unhappy about the 9.5 mil; he isn’t. He’s unhappy that he didn’t get the security of a long term deal in what may be his last contract. I don’t blame him, especially since he outperformed his prevoius contract. He knows the pats aren’t going to franchise him for 11.4 next season, it probably is his last hurrah. Not saying the Pats are wrong either, just that there was nothing wrong or controversial about Alper’s report.

Welker will be very important this year because Marcia will have to check down alot due to that horrendous oline that couldnt even stop my Bucs defense.
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Of course you left out the fact that 3 of the 5 starting O lineman either didn’t play at all, or it was their first game of the preseason (LM)

Seems we heard this same crap spewed from the haters last year after the 3rd preseason game and as usual they (the haters) were wrong.

Despite their antics, the line between Ocho, T.O. and Welker (i.e. in/out the league) is a lot narrower than people like to think. So that gives credence to his desire for a new deal, in addition to the longer term security.

Please no comments about how lucky he is to make x a year. Welker’s situation should only be judged in comparison to other professional football players.

I find it very odd that sports fan are so socialistic when it comes to player salaries. Sports in general in North America is the incredibly socialist. The worst teams get the first pick in the draft..the richer teams redistribute their wealth back into pot to share with the poorer teams. They share tv revenues.

So if you vote Republican – or if you don’t like Socialism – don’t ever complain about how much money a football player makes.

Oddly – Eurpoean soccer is far more capitalist in nature. The richest teams buy the best players. The players go to the highest bidder…there is no draft of the best young talent…teams try to sign them up to the best offer when they are kids and then develop them for their own team or sell them off to richer teams.

Like Wallace and Jones-Drew, he’s greedy. Guys like Hernandez for the Pats and Brown for the Steelers are showing how to get a long term deal done by playing their asses off.

Welker is getting paid very well for this season, thank you. He is the Pats highest paid player this season. So please stop with the the pity party for Wes. He’s not unhappy. Why should you be,

Also, by league rule, there can’t be any contract talks, so why would you characterize his response to your question as “less than forthcoming”.

The only thing that isn’t “forthcoming” Alper, is your integrity. Report the stories Josh. Don’t create them. (that’s Florio’s job) I think you missed that class at J-School.

“Welker will make $9.5 million this season under the franchise tender”