Pats Eye Welker (Reiss) - Page 11 - New England Patriots Forums

salty · 03-03-2007, 01:48 PM

I'm one of those that has been clamoring for a wide receiver.

I am not at all surprised to hear the Patriots are after Welker. He seems like a perfect fit in their system, just like A.D. is a perfect fit for the defense. First of all, he is quite versatile, as others have pointed out. He can contribute in both the passing game and on special teams as a kickoff and punt returner. However, it does bear mentioning that his stats returning kicks and punts last year were pedestrian at best. Maybe that has more to do with the Dolphins overall return unit, though.

Another thing I like about Welker is that he is a big play kind of guy. When its third and 6 with the game on the line, I could definitely see Wes Welker coming up with a huge catch for the crucial third down conversion. Basically, what we needed against Indy in the AFCCG.

Having said all that, I was really hoping they would go for a guy that could stretch the field. The past few days I have talked myself in to Donte Stallworth in a big way. The guy has had some injury concerns and some inconsistency issues, but if he could pull it together with the Pats, there is no doubt that he would command a great deal of respect by opposing defenses. That is what we need, IMO, in order to open up the underneath stuff for everybody else.

Maybe the Pats are banking on Chad Jackson filling that role next year? Given the recent news about his ACL tear not being as bad as many people were expecting, perhaps that could indeed be the case.

A second round pick is an awful lot to give up, though. I would be ecstatic about this if Welker were an unrestricted free agent, but the prospect of losing a second rounder leaves me a little hesitant. Also, its possible that Miami could match the offer, and by then the Pats might have missed out on other possible free agent WRs.

pkb · 03-03-2007, 01:50 PM

One question is whether they figure between Jackson (as they do know his true health status, unlike us) and a later-round flyer they can get a deep threat as well.

I'm not totally sure they agree with us on the need for a deep threat, either. I have been concerned about that last year and this but the evidence it is a problem is not overwhelming, either.

Hok · 03-03-2007, 01:51 PM

This offseason has been classic BB/Pioli so far. Every move has been centered around filling a need with an appropriate player:

- We get toasted in the second half of the AFCC game because of our lack of LBs who can cover, so we sign a LB athletic enough to play CB and S.

- We lose our best blocking TE, so we sign a TE who's like an extra OT when he's on the field.

- We lose our complement to Maroney, but also want Maroney to assume a bigger role next year, so we sign a capable back who won't mind taking a back seat to the kid.

- Our quick slot WR/PR/jack of all trades is on the verge of retirement, so we're considering signing his 10-year-younger equivalent.

All of these moves make PERFECT SENSE. That's really all you can ask for.

salty · 03-03-2007, 01:52 PM

One positive to consider when signing restricted free agents is that you can often get them for relatively cheap. When a player is an unrestricted free agent, you are essentially competing with every other team for his services. When he is restricted, however, you are really only competing with his original team, so there aren't other teams driving up the price.

lapatsfan · 03-03-2007, 01:52 PM

Maybe a former Phin coach recommended him to BB??

***Ghost of Ben Dreith*** · 03-03-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primetime

If the Patriots use the poison pill, then the league will immediately work on getting that provision out of the CBA at Polian's behest, I'm sure, which wouldn't be too big a loss.

After the poison pill pissing contest between the Seahawks and Vikings last year, to the best of my knowledge, the league put a halt on any type of poison pills in contract language.

***DaBruinz*** · 03-03-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWelker

We don't need anymore young receivers who will take a season or two to learn the system, we need guys who can come in and be impact players, and Welker is just that. No one said he is going to be a #2 or whatever, but you need guys who can adapt quickly to a system, look at Gaffney for example, he comes in during the middle of the season and then by the end of it is the teams best receiver, thats what we need, not young guys unlike his first name is Calvin and last name is Johnson.

I wouldn't mind drafting a WR, but to rely on them next season will hurt us more than help us.

One receiver who may NOT take a season or two to digest the play-book is Chanci Stuckey.

Here are some of the things about him

Quote:

Originally Posted by NFLDraftScout.COM

Has the plant-and-drive agility crispness to get in and out of his cuts...Has no problems digesting a complicated playbook and is very alert to coverages and boundaries...Emotional leader who takes pride in his mentoring of the team's younger players...Spends countless hours in the film room and after practices preparing for his upcoming opponent..

If that is the case, I'd say he's a very likely pick for the Pats.

hwc · 03-03-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty

That is what we need, IMO, in order to open up the underneath stuff for everybody else.

But, let's say that one of these "marquee" WR busts (like Stallworth or Chad Jackson) gets it together and stretches the field. With Troy Brown gone, who do we have to catch the underneath stuff? We relied on Troy for 43 catches last year. He'll be 37 years old when preseaon kicks off in August.

zippo59 · 03-03-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty

I'm one of those that has been clamoring for a wide receiver.

I am not at all surprised to hear the Patriots are after Welker. He seems like a perfect fit in their system, just like A.D. is a perfect fit for the defense. First of all, he is quite versatile, as others have pointed out. He can contribute in both the passing game and on special teams as a kickoff and punt returner. However, it does bear mentioning that his stats returning kicks and punts last year were pedestrian at best. Maybe that has more to do with the Dolphins overall return unit, though.

Another thing I like about Welker is that he is a big play kind of guy. When its third and 6 with the game on the line, I could definitely see Wes Welker coming up with a huge catch for the crucial third down conversion. Basically, what we needed against Indy in the AFCCG.

Having said all that, I was really hoping they would go for a guy that could stretch the field. The past few days I have talked myself in to Donte Stallworth in a big way. The guy has had some injury concerns and some inconsistency issues, but if he could pull it together with the Pats, there is no doubt that he would command a great deal of respect by opposing defenses. That is what we need, IMO, in order to open up the underneath stuff for everybody else.

Maybe the Pats are banking on Chad Jackson filling that role next year? Given the recent news about his ACL tear not being as bad as many people were expecting, perhaps that could indeed be the case.

A second round pick is an awful lot to give up, though. I would be ecstatic about this if Welker were an unrestricted free agent, but the prospect of losing a second rounder leaves me a little hesitant. Also, its possible that Miami could match the offer, and by then the Pats might have missed out on other possible free agent WRs.

Thanks to the poison pill the Pats could easily craft an offer Miami would be unable to match.

PatDaPatriot · 03-03-2007, 01:55 PM

I still think they'll add a WR in the draft. This receiver class is insanely deep. Welker gives them a proven commodity now, and the Pats can focus on a player they can develop in the later rounds. Someone like Derek Stanley or Rhema McKnight...