A little early, but: should the Patriots try to re-sign Wes Welker? - Page 34 - New England Patriots Forums

robertweathers · 01-05-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

Given the choice, a durable Wes Welker provides more value than a right tackle with chronic back issues, especially considering the success of the New England Patriots organization of drafting offensive lineman since 2001 within the first three rounds.

He'll be 32 and if he wants a signing bonus of anything guaranteed north of $16m he will either be franchised or not with the team next year.

Meanwhile Vollmer will be 29 next October and not nearly be demanding - nor getting big money. It'll be something sizably less than what Winston got from KC.

Now Talib will be 27 next month and if he plays at a superior level in the playoffs, all it takes is one team to decide hes is worth franchise-level CB money (think Corland Finnegan 5y/$50m/$27m guaranteed) for the Pats to walk away.

JackBauer · 01-05-2013, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

Reche Caldwell was not on the New England Patriots roster the following season.

The issue was the FO thinking Caldwell would suffice as a WR1, not really anything on Caldwell's part.

ATippett56 · 01-05-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

He'll be 32 and if he wants a signing bonus of anything guaranteed north of $16m he will either be franchised or not with the team next year.

With only one viable wide receiver currently under contract for the 2013 NFL, Wes Welker is currently irreplaceable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

Meanwhile Vollmer will be 29 next October and not nearly be demanding - nor getting big money. It'll be something sizably less than what Winston got from KC.

You don't know that whatsoever. If anything Vollmer will get at least 50% more than Winston since Winston, even though he is a good run blocker, is a liability in pass protection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

Now Talib will be 27 next month and if he plays at a superior level in the playoffs, all it takes is one team to decide hes is worth franchise-level CB money (think Corland Finnegan 5y/$50m/$27m guaranteed) for the Pats to walk away.

Cornerback Richard Marshall received a 3 year, $16 million dollar contract in March 2012. If anything, the cornerback market is severely overpriced.

robertweathers · 01-05-2013, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

With only one viable wide receiver currently under contract for the 2013 NFL, Wes Welker is currently irreplaceable..

The Patriots do not agree. Everyone is replaceable and they are playing hardball with WW and if they didn't give him a big deal last year, why do you think they will this year?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

You don't know that whatsoever. If anything Vollmer will get at least 50% more than Winston since Winston, even though he is a good run blocker, is a liability in pass protection..

To say that Vollmer will get 4y/$32m/$12m bonus which would make him the highest paid RT by a wide margin is outrageous. Not going to happen. Hes never made the ProBowl and as you say, the back is a concern and teams will protect their investment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

Cornerback Richard Marshall received a 3 year, $16 million dollar contract in March 2012. If anything, the cornerback market is severely overpriced.

...and that still means that teams are still paying big money for top-shelf CBs.

ATippett56 · 01-05-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

The Patriots do not agree. Everyone is replaceable and they are playing hardball with WW and if they didn't give him a big deal last year, why do you think they will this year?

Wes Welker should be retained considering that the following was not the solution:

Anthony Gonzalez
Jabar Gaffney
Donte Stallworth
Chad Ochocinco
Jeremy Ebert
Greg Salas
Kamar Aiken

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

To say that Vollmer will get 4y/$32m/$12m bonus which would make him the highest paid RT by a wide margin is outrageous. Not going to happen. Hes never made the ProBowl and as you say, the back is a concern and teams will protect their investment.

Sebastian Vollmer has previously played left tackle for the New England Patriots against Dwight Freeney and the Indianapolis Colts. Other franchises may view Sebastian Vollmer as their solution at the left tackle position:

Bears
Cardinals
Chargers
Rams

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

...and that still means that teams are still paying big money for top-shelf CBs.

That doesn't mean the New England Patriots will participate in that market.

robertweathers · 01-05-2013, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

Wes Welker should be retained considering that the following was not answer:

Anthony Gonzalez
Jabar Gaffney
Donte Stallworth
Chad Ochocinco
Jeremy Ebert
Greg Salas
Kamar Aiken .

We've been disscussing this point for a while now. My position is that in order to compete for a Super Bowl, the team does not need to find a WR who replaces WW catch for catch and yard for yard. WW is important to this offense, but not to the point of "just paying the guy" without doing a full risk assesment of the roster, financial and cap impact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

Sebastian Vollmer has previously played left tackle for the New England Patriots against Dwight Freeney and the Indianapolis Colts. Other franchises may view Sebastian Vollmer as their solution at the left tackle position:

Bears
Cardinals
Chargers
Rams.

...that was Vollmer's rookie year. C'mon now. No one is going to dole out big $$ for a player who played the position less than a handfull of times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATippett56

That doesn't mean the New England Patriots will participate in that market.

Thats my point. It's unlikely that they will.

ATippett56 · 01-05-2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

To say that Vollmer will get 4y/$32m/$12m bonus which would make him the highest paid RT by a wide margin is outrageous. Not going to happen. He's never made the ProBowl and as you say, the back is a concern and teams will protect their investment.

New England Patriots: Sebastian Vollmer

Quote:

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Named to the Associated Press All-Pro Second Team in 2010
Named to the 2010 USA Today All-Joe Team

2009 (14/8, 1/1)

Played in 14 games, starting eight, with five starts at left tackle and three starts at right tackle while missing two games due to injury.

ATippett56 · 01-05-2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

We've been disscussing this point for a while now. My position is that in order to compete for a Super Bowl, the team does not need to find a WR who replaces WW catch for catch and yard for yard. WW is important to this offense, but not to the point of "just paying the guy" without doing a full risk assesment of the roster, financial and cap impact.

The New England Patriots failed miserably at trying to replace Wes Welker whether by free agency, draft, or trade based upon the following 2012 NFL season results:

Anthony Gonzalez - 0 catches
Jabar Gaffney - 0 catches
Donte Stallworth - 1 catch
Chad Ochocinco - 0 catches
Jeremy Ebert - 0 catches
Greg Salas - 0 catches
Kamar Aiken - 0 catches