Pats_AZ

Ok, serious question for you all. So I keep reading WELKER is being phased out, not in starting lineup etc. I will admit during the off season I haven't followed the boards or any other NFL/Patriots news. So with that said...why are we phasing him out? Why is there all this talk about him being replaced by Edelman? Are we certain we are letting him go after this season? From my perspective, he is still better than Edelman and still a top tier slot receiver so I'm curious what's going on. I hope it's not because of last years SB performance...is it? Again, not asking to be inflammatory, I just don't know and I'm wondering what's going on. I still think he can be productive for a few more years easy. Thanks for the info in advance.

J

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BradyManny

There's a ton of factors in the Welker thing and why he wasn't getting the same reps to start the year, and the problem is everyone wants to boil it down to one easily identifiable thing.

Such factors include:
- Aaron Hernandez, and his ability to play multiple positions, including the slot
- Julian Edelman, showing improved ability and potential in training camp
- The Patriots desire to run their base offense out of a versatile 2-tight end set
- The Patriots desire to field a lineup made of as versatile-as-possible skill position players
- The resulting desire that the two wide receivers in that 2TE set should be more than just slot receivers
- Wes Welker's future as a Patriot, and the Patriots need to understand their long-term options there
- Wes Welker missing time in training camp, for personal reasons and/or being banged up

To name a few.

DarrylS

Not sure that there is a lot of validity to any of this, but it makes great fodder for the mediots on the airwaves... from Felger to Toucher and Rich.

This morning heard D & C, rant and rave about all of this.. thank god there are choices..

The reality is that poor Wes is being paid 9+ million this year as he is franchised, after turning down 16 million for two years..

We all love Wes, but he is now 31 and will be 32 before the next training camp, it comes down to how much do we want to pay this guy at his age..

Don't fall in love with the veterans...

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PatsDeb

The phasing out of Welker experiment ended, at least temporarily, with the injuries to Hernandez and Edelman. Now that Welker has proven that he hasn't lost a step and he has proven that in fact, he IS very important to making the Pat's O go, I hope the experiment stays "ended."

NYCPatsFan

Well, couldn't 'poor Wes' also have held out like how many other high performing players did?

Many admire/love him because he acted fair and peformed his best to the contract that he signed for without complainig inspite of his importance to the team and the records he set. Period.

I know, that is what all fans expect players to do what we usually do in our regular work: you sign a contract and so honor it instead of complaining after one year that you are underpaid.

But then, reality is, there is no way of comparing or imposing the average Joe's life, risk/reward, work ethics and expectations with these high profile guys raking in millions. It is laughable for us ordinary folks when Ty Law makes a stupid comment that he has to put food on the table, but it clearly reveals that the rich performers have a completely different manner in which they view how they should be measured/compensated. Doubt if we can grasp or understand their thinking and mentality when it comes to getting paid.

Glad that I am not working in the FO to treat this as pure business decision and keeping emotions aside.

NYCPatsFan

Will be interesting to see what happen when AH and JE return.

Will BB stick it up to WW's face? Wish BB also joked about WW's comment in his PC when asked about it; BB's cryptic and dour reaction makes me fear that he's pissed off. Hope I am wrong.

dannydyn

I can't see them phasing him out, or else why bother with a franchise tag? If you don't want the guy, let him loose...

PatsDeb

Agreed. I didn't see the press conference, but I winced when I heard Welker's comment, thinking, "Why'd you do that, Wes?"

ThatllMoveTheChains!!!

Not to mention the media and even a lot of fans are desperate to create a villain out of the situation. The "OMG the Pats are benching WW out of spite" story definitely served that up. I'm just happy that the media has tired of the Pats because I could only imagine how much play it would've gotten a few years ago.

Deus Irae

McDaniels/Belichick screwed up. Whether they felt their logic was sound isn't really relevant, IMO. They made a mistake. The mistake has been remedied, unfortunately due to injuries. Hopefully, Edelman and Hernandez will return and be blended into the current system rather than the team trying to force the change on the offense yet again.

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