Mooch

Don't forget his role as backup kicker. Remember the FG and XP he made against us in 2004 when Mare got hurt?

Jimke

According to ESPN, he would be a steal for a #2 draft pick. Maybe the

Pats could trade their #2 pick to Indianapolis or Chicago for their #2 pick

and another draft choice.

PATRIOTS-80

You do know what you are getting with Welker, and imagine the Run After the Catch with Brady throwing to Welker. Wow.

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According to Rodney Harrison, new wide-receiver Wes Welker was “a pain in the butt” to deal with when he was with the Dolphins. “We had to double-team him because no one could stick with him man-to-man,” Harrison said.

solman

Can I please get a "I depends on the contract we sign him to"?

Certainly I'd give a second round draft pick for a five year deal at the league minimum in each year.

primetime

It'll be at least 1.3 million, as that was the Dolphins' tender. Likely, it'll be somewhere in the 2 million range, with maybe a couple phony years at the end tacked on with huge salaries or whatever if the Patriots choose to use a poison pill (that way, if the Dolphins match, they're stuck with a guaranteed contract with huge numbers at the end of it).

SWelker

I say hes worth it, from everything he can do on the field to the ability to learn the system faster than a draft pick would be able to. Plus with us already having 2 first rounders we can basically get the guys we need to have an impact next season in the first round and won't need to rely on a 2nd rounder to fill a hole.

patchick

Here's another element to keep in mind:

Chad Jackson is the only Patriots receiver under contract for 2008.

A long-term contract for a proven young player could provide some desperately needed continuity to the receiving corps.

PATRIOTS-80

I agree, plus its on ESPN that we are signing to him an offer sheet. The new head coach has got to want to hoard draft picks, he's going to let Welker go.

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According to Rodney Harrison, new wide-receiver Wes Welker was “a pain in the butt” to deal with when he was with the Dolphins. “We had to double-team him because no one could stick with him man-to-man,” Harrison said.

PaulNEPats

Hell yes he's worth it. I was amazed by some of the stuff he did on special teams this past season (and we know how much ST is valued by this team). Plus, it means Welker returning kickoffs, not Jackson or Maroney. The 60-70 potential catches doesn't hurt either

And don't forget, this guy is only 25 years old. Draft picks are always a gamble, so it's better to go with the more "sure thing"

PATRIOTS-80

Well, if Maroney is the franchise back, and is already getting a lot of carries, we might not see him on KR anymore. Good point.

__________________
According to Rodney Harrison, new wide-receiver Wes Welker was “a pain in the butt” to deal with when he was with the Dolphins. “We had to double-team him because no one could stick with him man-to-man,” Harrison said.