Wes Welker switches agents

[slash83]

Wes Welker recently changed agents from Vann McElroy to David Dunn of Athletes First.
Welker is signed through 2011, but he could easily argue that he's underpaid. No one has as many receptions over the last two years and Welker's '09 salary is just $1.65 million. He led the Pats in catches and receiving yards in 2008. Still, the the agent switch reportedly isn't aimed at getting a new deal.

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[jmt57]

We'll have to wait and see. Agents make no money off an NFL players contract until they sign a new deal - and we saw how that worked out as soon as Drew Rosenhaus became Terrell Owens' new agent.

In the interim Athlete Promotions seems to be content to wait for a contract extension and will settle for what they can make off store openings and autograph signings.

Booking Wes Welker Appearances, Contact Wes Welker Agent, Booking Wes Welker Speaking Engagements and Endorsement Deals

 

[DaBruinz]

Wes Welker recently changed agents from Vann McElroy to David Dunn of Athletes First.
Welker is signed through 2011, but he could easily argue that he's underpaid. No one has as many receptions over the last two years and Welker's '09 salary is just $1.65 million. He led the Pats in catches and receiving yards in 2008. Still, the the agent switch reportedly isn't aimed at getting a new deal.

Fantasy Football, Baseball and Basketball - news, projections, rankings, draft guide - Rotoworld.com

There is only one tiny problem with the claim that Welker is underpaid. You'd be forgetting the signing bonus and option bonus that he got when he signed with the Patriots. For 2 years of play, Welker has received over 11.2 million. Going forward, yes, they probably will redo his contract, but not until they find out what the CBA is going to allow.

Salaries are not the only thing that players look at when it comes to their compensation. They also look at any bonuses they get be it option, LTBE, or roster.

 

[Holy Diver]

We'll have to wait and see. Agents make no money off an NFL players contract until they sign a new deal - and we saw how that worked out as soon as Drew Rosenhaus became Terrell Owens' new agent.

In the interim Athlete Promotions seems to be content to wait for a contract extension and will settle for what they can make off store openings and autograph signings.

Booking Wes Welker Appearances, Contact Wes Welker Agent, Booking Wes Welker Speaking Engagements and Endorsement Deals

The day Wes Welker holds out for a trade or more money to get his agent paid, I will pack up my belongings and prepare for the end of the world....because its not far off at that point.

 

[Den-in-NH]

We'll have to wait and see. Agents make no money off an NFL players contract until they sign a new deal - and we saw how that worked out as soon as Drew Rosenhaus became Terrell Owens' new agent.

In the interim Athlete Promotions seems to be content to wait for a contract extension and will settle for what they can make off store openings and autograph signings.

Booking Wes Welker Appearances, Contact Wes Welker Agent, Booking Wes Welker Speaking Engagements and Endorsement Deals

Different type of agents. Athletes First are his "agents" now.

Athlete Promotions are his "Marketing Agents". Often when a player ditches an agent, the marketing guys go next. Indicicative that things are not going well all around. I know Welker's last signing in Bridgewater was a bust...

..time to start making some calls. If Wes were to hook up with a marketing guy I know, that would be sweeeeeeeet!!!!!!

 

[DaBruinz]

The day Wes Welker holds out for a trade or more money to get his agent paid, I will pack up my belongings and prepare for the end of the world....because its not far off at that point.

Isn't it amazing how the lunch pail guys (Bruschi, Welker, Vrabel, etc) have people, for no reason at all, come out and claim that they are probably going to hold out for a LOT of money...

I can remember that each time Bruschi's contract came up, he was going to go elsewhere. Same with Vrabel... And it never happened. Why? Because not everyone is motivated by money and too many people forget this.

I can remember some people about had heart attacks when Bruschi negotiated a contract with the Patriots (after 2004??) and the speculation was that he wanted 5 or 6 million a year... I laughed my rear end off when Bruschi signed the deal that averaged 2 million a year.. And I remember the outcry from the NFLPA about it also...Only to have Vrabel say to them "Hey, that's all he wants. That's his decision. We got NO RIGHT to say anything about it."

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

We'll have to wait and see. Agents make no money off an NFL players contract until they sign a new deal - and we saw how that worked out as soon as Drew Rosenhaus became Terrell Owens' new agent.

In the interim Athlete Promotions seems to be content to wait for a contract extension and will settle for what they can make off store openings and autograph signings.

Booking Wes Welker Appearances, Contact Wes Welker Agent, Booking Wes Welker Speaking Engagements and Endorsement Deals

That isn't chump change. An agent can earn no more than 3% of a players contract as a fee. However, agents typically get 20%-30% of the marketing deals. So for the agent a $4 million dollar advertising deal is worth alot more money than a $20 dollar contract.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I say that Wes perceived that his prior agent was not doing a good job marketing him (Wes) Troy Brown style with endorsements, appearances and a shot at a post football career. Unfortunately for Wes, as some might say upon hearing him speak, he's NOT "an articulate white man".

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Wes is a good looking guy. Females I know think he's cute and like his eyes.

I wonder if they are marketing him in New England or back home OK.

I never understood why athletes are not encouraged to take speaking lessons and accounting.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The articles aren't quite clear, was this an internal shift from one Althetes First agent to another, or an agency switch too?

Either way, I'm not prepared to worry too much about it. Recall how Bruschi finally got himself an agent after his stroke because there were a number of contract law aspects that went beyond Tedy's experience to cope with while trying to rehab full time. Wes just had two back-to-back 112 reception seasons, tying him for first one year and putting him a close second the other (and only the Buffalo wind game kept him out of first again), he's also now a Pro-Bowl player with name recognition. He's entering new territory in his career and there may have been a mutual agreement between his old agent and Wes that it was time to get someone more experienced with Wes' popularity...heck, how often do you get to go to Brazil for Mardi Gras and party with World Class Super Models? Welcome to the big leagues Okie.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

I never understood why athletes are not encouraged to take speaking lessons and accounting.

Ya know, there is nothing wrong with the way Wes speaks, ya know. Why would he need speaking lessons, ya know.

 

[amazinPats]

I don't think it is fair to expect much longevity out of a player with the physique and playing style of Wes Welker. There's probably a 5-6 year sweet spot as far as production and injury-avoidance is concerned. If he wants too much when his contract expires, he'll likely be let go; and his best years will have been in New England. This dude takes a lot of big hits for his size.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Welker might look for an extension in 2010 or at the end of it. We'll see.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Welker might look for an extension in 2010 or at the end of it. We'll see.

I dunno, but given the fact that Welker has an outside chance of setting the Patriots' career receptions mark during this contract , I'd hope they want to extend him.

 

[efin98]

I dunno, but given the fact that Welker has an outside chance of setting the Patriots' career receptions mark during this contract , I'd hope they want to extend him.

Not just an outside chance, he's on pace for it- 335 more receptions to go to break Troy Brown's mark of 557 receptions. Three years left on his current deal, any extension beyond 2011 gives him the career reception mark.

 

[DNR]

Maybe he's getting ready to help the Pats free up some cap room, and wants a new agent before doing it?

 

[Synovia]

I dunno, but given the fact that Welker has an outside chance of setting the Patriots' career receptions mark during this contract , I'd hope they want to extend him.

You don't judge whether or not to extend a player by what hes done, you judge by what you predict him to do. If you expect him to catch 100+ passes every year after 2013, great, extend him. Extending him for what hes doing now is how you end up with huge chunks of dead cap space.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Exactly

If Terry Bradshaw can make the money in broadcast, Wes could do it with a lil coaching. Maybe he should talk to Emmitt on that topic. With some pronunciation changes, the drawl would be a big asset.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

You don't judge whether or not to extend a player by what hes done, you judge by what you predict him to do. If you expect him to catch 100+ passes every year after 2013, great, extend him. Extending him for what hes doing now is how you end up with huge chunks of dead cap space.

You're absolutely right. Barring certain things we will not mention, however, I see no reason to expect a vast decrease in production from WW for a few years yet.

 

[Pragmatic Bus]

Wes Welker recently changed agents from Vann McElroy to David Dunn of Athletes First.
Welker is signed through 2011, but he could easily argue that he's underpaid. No one has as many receptions over the last two years and Welker's '09 salary is just $1.65 million. He led the Pats in catches and receiving yards in 2008. Still, the the agent switch reportedly isn't aimed at getting a new deal.

Fantasy Football, Baseball and Basketball - news, projections, rankings, draft guide - Rotoworld.com

Players switching agents is deffinately a sign of bad things to come. I think the patriots should just forfeit the season in wake of such developments.