JPatriot

I'm sure some of you have seen this (though I didn't see it on the board), but here's what Len Pasquarelli had to say about the Welker deal:

Surrendering a second-round choice for a player of Welker's abilities would be viewed in most quarters, but especially in New England, as a steal. Welker would dramatically upgrade the New England wide receiver corps and the Pats would also benefit by taking him away from a division opponent.

Plus, the Patriots own a pair of first-round choices in the 2007 draft, and can afford to part with a second-round selection for a player of Welker's skills.

Welker, 25, is a terrific, if unheralded playmaker who has earned a spot on the ESPN.com "all unsung" team each of the past two seasons. Used principally as a return specialist in his first two seasons in the league, Welker emerged as a viable receiving threat in 2006, with 67 catches for 687 yards and a touchdown.

The former Texas Tech standout originally entered the NFL with San Diego in 2004 as an undrafted college free agent. He was waived by the Chargers early in the 2004 season and signed with the Dolphins shortly thereafter.

In 47 appearances, including three starts, Welker has 96 receptions for 1,121 yards and one touchdown. He has returned 170 kickoffs for an average of 22.7 yards and one touchdown and has 127 punt returns for a 9.7-yard average and one score.

pats63

BB&SP know what they are doing!!!!

JoeSixPat

I do wonder if he can be a deep threat - his first season he averaged 15 ypc - last season he was used differently more as a short to mid range threat for 10 ypc.

As a KR/PR he's obviously got speed and cutting skills - could BB be thinking of using him deeper? Time will tell.

Even if he's not a deep threat he takes pressure off the few receiving threats we currently have in Caldwell, Watson and Gaffney

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Rob0729

Scout Inc's take on him:

Welker is a small receiver with great quickness and agility. He runs well but appears to be quicker than fast. He has good hands and can extend to make tough receptions and has courage to catch the ball in traffic. He is best in short and intermediate patterns and can work through trash in the middle to work himself open. He does track the ball well on arrow and post corner routes as well as finding voids in zone coverages. Welker appears to have good instincts and awareness as a route runner and special teams player. He does not have great run-after-catch ability, as he goes down easy with minimal contact. He can be effective in space if he has room to elude on the run. He is very competitive and tough for such a small athlete, but he is an average blocker due to his lack of physicality. Welker has been a productive player as the No. 3 receiver, with 67 receptions, and the starting returner on punts and kickoffs. He is a solid returner but is not a home-run threat in this area.

The first part sounds exactly what the Pats look for in a WR.

scott99

Not a big fan of this move, but at least he'll have more catches than Chad Jackson.

signbabybrady

I am a big fan of this move. Now while we dont have one number one WR we have three 2As. Brady should be able to spread the ball around nicely. Just picture this if you are a team with one really good corner lets say Jax who do you cover with Mathis, doesn't matter cause we will just throw to the other guy who is juat as good but not covered by Mathis. I realize more goes into it but just a small example why it is nice to have equall talent spread out over the group.

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PromisedLand

Not necessarily - Jackson could still emerge big in 07 despite the ACL injury.

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37Harrison

I like the Welker signing. This guy kills us when we play them and he will be able to reduce the amount of beating LM takes by taking over the return duties. I look at Welker as a Brown/Branch type player. Versatility like Brown but with Branch's quickness and ability to get open. That's what we were missing last year in our WR core and even if Jackson comes back, I don't think he has that type of quickness either.

Anyways, I like the signing, wish it were a 3rd instead of the second but oh well, we need him.

Aqua4Ever04

For what it's worth, Dolphins' fans are thrilled with getting a 2nd round pick for Welker.

fgssand

Nobody ever would mistake a doophin fan for having any intelligence.

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LOVE New England sports....10 years SEVEN championships!!!