Uncle Rico

Welker has proven beyond a doubt this season that he is a special talent (remember all the "he's nothing without Moss" stuff?). He's also proven his toughness and durability (hello Amendola and Edelman; not to mention Gronk and Hernandez ...).

Just as an aside: Man, Jerry Rice. Every record being broken these days in this pass-happy era was previously held by him. Pretty much a combination of Welker, Megatron and Moss, and a multi-champ to boot.

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"If they sought to intimidate us, to terrorize us, to shake us from ... the values that make us who we are, as Americans -- well, it should be pretty clear by now that they picked the wrong city to do it. Not here in Boston. Not here in Boston."
—President Barack Obama, April 18, 2013



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MoLewisrocks

They frequently talk contract during the season. Hopefully they are with Woodhead. Although I believe the date has passed for spreading the amortization back into the present season. They routinely have extended some mid level players at the end of seasons. That was when Koppen's last deal here was inked. And while there is a pre-emption on signing a tagged player, there is none on negotiating with his rep or reiterating a supposed desire to retain him. All they seem to want to do with Welker is grind him.

Sometimes smartest guys in the room syndrome bites you in the ass. They couldn't sign their young TE's fast enough because they were, you know, young and promising. Both have struggled to stay on the field and both have exhibited some struggles playing well when not 100%. Welker probably hasn't been 100% since they backed off their plan to phase him out... And he's been doing yeomans duty for the last several weeks on his own injured ankle for a team that denied him the security they were all too eager to bestow on the potential laden youngsters.

ctpatsfan77

That doesn't really matter, since it's no longer a hassle to push excess salary cap room forward. In fact, it might be useful not to even if they could, since the team-by-team salary cap floor is coming.

It's possible that Welker (or his agent) kiboshed contract talks during the season. I don't know.

Personally, I think the biggest problem here is that the Patriots truly don't know what is a "fair" offer. There's never been another Welker to serve as a comparable.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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fgssand

NOT allowed to to have contract talkss until after the season, that is franchise player rule.

No worries as far as I am concerned, I have no doubt he will be franchised - even though it is very scary to look at money tied up with QB, two TE's and WW. Wes is the best slot receiver we will ever see.

Last point, why is it every single time Wes makes that really tough catch on the left side of the field about 20 yards or so down field, on a ball that certainly could have been thrown better - it brings me back to a certain catch that just wasn't made in a rather big game last year. I can't help going back in time in my mind and reliving it and it simply sucks, I know I am not alone.

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Brady_to_Moss

should we start a fund to keep him? i'll throw in 20

Ivan

I'm for him refusing to sign it under any circumstances. The Patriots need to either pay him a fair market contract or let him go get one, using the tag to deny him one is obscene and he should force their hand on this any way he can.

ctpatsfan77

FWIW, the exact wording of the rule is: "After that date, the player may sign only a one-year Player Contract with his Prior Club for that season, and such Player Contract may not be extended until after the Club’s last regular season game of that League Year."

I don't know if that has been taken to mean that teams can't even discuss new contracts, but on its face, it only seems to prohibit an actual contract being filed.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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Ivan

I am pretty sure you are right, and I really hope Fauria's information is accurate and an agreement has already been reached.

Ivan

Patriot commentators, like Gresh, have openly espoused lowballing him and tagging him and Patriot fans for the most part have been just fine with that, but when Law gives him good advice people want him to shut up. I understand being a fan and all but it's time for the team to show Welker the money and cut the sh.t with the hardball tactics.

Ivan

CJ- 8 years 132 million

Larry Fitzgerald - 8 years 125 million



These are the only 2 receivers in football who have produced the way Welker has, 4 for 40 million is a bargain basement price but one that Welker would most likely take just to stay in NE, they should put it on the table as an opening offer and go to 50 if they have to. this a HOF quality player in the prime of his career, he has taken 2 of Jerry Rice's records in the past few weeks and will break more over the remainder of his career, getting rid of him when he has been integral to the most productive offense in history is flat out crazy.