Which was the worse mistake: giving up Welker or Woodhead? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

ahmed · 12-16-2010, 01:24 PM

Welker, not even close

***N.Eman*** · 12-16-2010, 01:26 PM

Given Welkers stay in NE and what all he has done I think its Miami's dumbest decision to trade him. Not to mention they had to hire Brandon marshall since there wasnt enough on Ginn Jr. and Co couldn't be playmakers. Woodys turn will come next year and years to come to get back at the Rats!

***patsfaninpittsburgh*** · 12-16-2010, 01:27 PM

The Dolphins lost more because Welker was a functional player for them. he hit the pats screen because nobody could cover him.

The Jets didn't lose on Woody because they never used him. It would be different if they could have traded but that seems unlikely.

The best tools are useless if no craftsman is around to use to their potential.

PatsFaninAZ · 12-16-2010, 01:29 PM

It's a weird question, because it assumes players have equal value even on different teams. Some players fit -- Welker and Branch on the Patriots. Some don't. Adalius Thomas probably would have been better on the Ravens than he was here.

The Patriots track record of getting players to perform at a higher level than elsewhere is really good, but that doesn't necessary mean that the value the Patriots get out of the player is equal to the value that the other team gave up.

Also, it's a bit revisionist to say that the Dolphins "gave up" Welker. I don't think they wanted to let him walk. The problem is that they tendered him too low. They took a gamble, and perhaps didn't realize the value they had, and it cost them. People seem to remember this as a straight trade where we gave up a 2d and 7th for Welker, but it didn't really go down like that. They tendered him too low, we threatened the poison pill, and then threw in the 7th to make it a trade and avoid the unpleasantness of the poison pill, which Kraft seemed to think was a good move. Misjudging and tendering a player too low is, surely, an error. But the reality is that Welker was a UFA and had options, if not that year next. Woodhead was just a cut.

eagle eye · 12-16-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alamo

The Jets and Dolphins mistake was the same: neither knew how to get the best value out of the player.

Woodhead remaining a Jet and Welker remaining a Dolphin would have both been OK players, occasionally showing flashes of what could have been but basically rotting away. (Woodhead maybe not as much, he's younger and could have gotten a break as a starter through injuries and impressed, but the Jets are so overly influenced by "star power" that he'd never be what he has become here.)

Excellent post. I'm in full agreement with you here.

It still has to be Welker though because of his production to date.

TBradyOwnsYou · 12-16-2010, 02:09 PM

Welker obviously. What was NY going to use Woodhead for? He wasn't going to break through on their depth chart, no need for him.

***Rob0729*** · 12-16-2010, 02:09 PM

Welker is clearly the better player, but the Dolphins at least got a second and seventh rounder for him. The Jets got nothing for Woodhead.

Personally, I doubt either organization would have maximized the potential of either player. So they really didn't lose anything that would have improved their team in my eye. I think Welker would never have turned into a great WR with the Dolphins and their crappy QBs and offense. I also think Woodhead would have never seen the field on offense with the Jets. Where they were hurt is helping the Pats be the best team in the division by making them better.

Grizzafted · 12-16-2010, 02:43 PM

I think you gotta say Welker purely based on useability. Schottenheimer isn't smart enough to find ways to utilize Woodhead, but Welker was getting reps in Miami. On second thought, neither. Neither of those teams were going to use either of them well.

Schmo · 12-16-2010, 02:45 PM

Welker. And I won't change my mind until Woodhead puts up consecutive 100 catch or 1500 yard rushing seasons. There is no comparison between the two of them. We still don't know what Woodhead can do in the playoffs or if he is going to have an injury bug. That said, the Jets missed out big time.

IIRC, we picked Faulk with a 2nd rounder. A better question would be, which use of a second rounder has benefited the Patriots more, Faulk or Welker?

Ice Cold Bruschi · 12-16-2010, 03:12 PM

I'd say it was a much worse mistake for the JEST since they just cut him and got nothing.

Pats really stole Welker from the Phins with the poison pill.