Welker is the talk of the town

[pherein]

Seems Falcon fans really want this to happen, and Ive seen on many other NFL forums, where Welker is gaining as the top 5 posts. Personally I dont think smith is smart enough to nab Welker. He didn't nab Moore last year. But your boy has a good name in circles, and it seems he is not as underrated. This is going to be very interesting to watch. Not sure if N.E. could match an offer, from teams no one is thinking of , say like the Rams,Lions, Panthers could, interesting. Our boy Moore will fly under the radar, but judging from fan base Welker has appeal.

Wes Welker - FalconsLIFE

 

[borg]

Seems Falcon fans really want this to happen, and Ive seen on many other NFL forums, where Welker is gaining as the top 5 posts. Personally I dont think smith is smart enough to nab Welker. He didn't nab Moore last year. But your boy has a good name in circles, and it seems he is not as underrated. This is going to be very interesting to watch. Not sure if N.E. could match an offer, from teams no one is thinking of , say like the Rams,Lions, Panthers could, interesting. Our boy Moore will fly under the radar, but judging from fan base Welker has appeal.

Wes Welker - FalconsLIFE

Welker is under contract through 2011

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The JEST fan claims he has a second source confirming Welker will be traded.

Does that mean he now hears a second voice inside his head?

 

[patman52]

The JEST fan claims he has a second source confirming Welker will be traded.

Does that mean he now hears a second voice inside his head?

Why do you find it so difficult to imagine? He will be 31 yo next year when his contract expires. He has a lot of wear on his body and his performance this year was certainly down from prior years. Does BB see an even greater decrease than I see, maybe he does. Endleman may not have the career that Welker had, but he is wasting on the bench playing behind Welker.

if BB sees Welker regressing and Endleman on the up tick, I would think it would be a typical BB move.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Why do you find it so difficult to imagine? He will be 31 yo next year when his contract expires. He has a lot of wear on his body and his performance this year was certainly down from prior years. Does BB see an even greater decrease than I see, maybe he does. Endleman may not have the career that Welker had, but he is wasting on the bench playing behind Welker.

if BB sees Welker regressing and Endleman on the up tick, I would think it would be a typical BB move.

If any Boston-area media were saying this is likely, I'd give it more credence.

But this Tweeter is one who also claimed that Cliff Lee was going to stay with the Rangers, and Carmelo Anthony go to the Nets.

I'm not discounting the idea that it could happen, but it certainly doesn't seem like a logical move at all, or a good one at this juncture.

 

[patman52]

If any Boston-area media were saying this is likely, I'd give it more credence.

But this Tweeter is one who also claimed that Cliff Lee was going to stay with the Rangers, and Carmelo Anthony go to the Nets.

I'm not discounting the idea that it could happen, but it certainly doesn't seem like a logical move at all, or a good one at this juncture.

I don't think it is likely either, just a typical BB type of move. Branch and Welker's contract both expire after next year. With both of them being at an age where extensions are not considered good moves. The D got a lot younger this year and next may be the O's turn.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I don't think it is likely either, just a typical BB type of move. Branch and Welker's contract both expire after next year. With both of them being at an age where extensions are not considered good moves. The D got a lot younger this year and next may be the O's turn.

Except that it's also a typical BB move to keep someone for the final year of his contract if he thinks there's sufficient value.

As but two examples: he could have traded Asante Samuel in 2007, but chose to keep him and pay him $7M for the year, with no possibility of franchising him a second time.

Similarly, he could have traded Ben Watson last year, but didn't.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Similarly, he could have traded Ben Watson last year, but didn't.

Are you saying some team was actively pursuing Watson two years ago? How do you know this?

 

[BelichickFan]

I don't think it is likely either, just a typical BB type of move. Branch and Welker's contract both expire after next year. With both of them being at an age where extensions are not considered good moves. The D got a lot younger this year and next may be the O's turn.

There's also the issue of the rumor on the mega Welker thread on the main board that there was a bit more to it, possibly that Welker blew Belichick off when he was asked to go to talk to Belichick about it. That's not my rumor, it's on the other thread.

Personally I would have no issue with trading him a year early as long as we get another WR that can play this year. I like Price to replace Branch in two years, Edelman for Welker, Tate's role is what it is. Not sure I want Tate or Price starting in 2011. Whether it's a short term FA, a slight trade up for Julio Jones or taking Torrey Smith I would hope for a little more talent at WR should we do this.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

There's also the issue of the rumor on the mega Welker thread on the main board that there was a bit more to it, possibly that Welker blew Belichick off when he was asked to go to talk to Belichick about it. That's not my rumor, it's on the other thread.

Personally I would have no issue with trading him a year early as long as we get another WR that can play this year. I like Price to replace Branch in two years, Edelman for Welker, Tate's role is what it is. Not sure I want Tate or Price starting in 2011. Whether it's a short term FA, a slight trade up for Julio Jones or taking Torrey Smith I would hope for a little more talent at WR should we do this.

So if BB drafts someone like Julio Jones at #17, then you are all in favor of trading Welker to Atlanta for a 3rd?

 

[BelichickFan]

So if BB drafts someone like Julio Jones at #17, then you are all in favor of trading Welker to Atlanta for a 3rd?

Well the rumor is a 2nd or high 3rd so that's a little lower than I was conjecturing about. And I fully realize that rookie WR are iffy at best to be big contributers and that could be exacerbated if there is a lengthy lockout and they have to sit at home.

So I'm mixed, it hurts next year some but I would be excited about Jones, Price, Edelman as our 2012 WR along with Gronk and Hernandez. It would be somewhat of a step back but I do have confidence in Edelman and I think Price will look like a new guy next year - Tate may end up being what he is.

Short answer - I'm in favor for Atlanta's #2 which is how the rumor went. Their #3 which isn't too far from the end of the round would be a bit more of a dump.

 

[billdog3484]

i would love lance moore to come to the patriots.

i dont know why theres all this talk of welker being traded. why would we trade him now? he had almost 100 catches coming off a horrific knee injury suffered in the last game of last season. hes only going to get better

 

[Richard Camembert]

So if BB drafts someone like Julio Jones at #17, then you are all in favor of trading Welker to Atlanta for a 3rd?

I'm not. Trading Welker would leave us too weak at WR, strip another proven player from an already youthful team, and give us more draft picks, of which we already have a surplus. Welker is also undervalued at that price.

Neither Price nor Tate has shown a lot, Tate had a lot of drops and his ST production dropped off at the end of the year, and Price wasn't cracking the lineup at all. Trading WW leaves the team with Branch, Edelman, Tate. The TE seem to be developing but there are holes in their games. This leaves the team with an extremely young and unproven receiver core, and there's tape on all of the young guys now. Losing the most experienced and productive player in that group leaves them too shallow IMO.

The team is too young as it is. They need as many players as possible who understand the Patriot Way and who can lead by example and by direction. WW is obviously one such. His recovery and return this year were miraculous. It seems ill-advised to further weaken the core.

The team has six top 100 picks, including what are essentially 3 first round picks. BB is adept at acquiring more picks. Do they really need another third rounder just for the sake of getting value for a declining asset?

Also, Welker is an elite WR who played at probably 75% for this year. He should produce more next year as his recovery is completed. He's under contract for next year and teams can extend or franchise him. The team would need to receive at least a mid to high 2nd for this trade to be acceptable.

 

[DaBruinz]

Why do you find it so difficult to imagine? He will be 31 yo next year when his contract expires. He has a lot of wear on his body and his performance this year was certainly down from prior years. Does BB see an even greater decrease than I see, maybe he does. Endleman may not have the career that Welker had, but he is wasting on the bench playing behind Welker.

if BB sees Welker regressing and Endleman on the up tick, I would think it would be a typical BB move.

Welker was recovering from an ACL injury. An injury that takes 2 years to get to 100 %. So, while his performance may have been "down", the fact he did as well as he did is amazing.

Edelman is on the bench because the Pats decided to go with more 2 and 3 TE sets this year rather than more Multi-WR sets.

I don't see BB trading Welker for a variety of reasons. One is that the Pats have Welker on a team favorable contract. Another is that Welker, along with Branch, Edelman, Tate, Price, Hernandez, and Gronkowski, gives the Pats numerous dynamic weapons on the field and causes many many favorable match-ups for the Pats.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

If Wes is traded, then that most likely means that they will be going for a monster in the Larry Fitzgerald realm.

In terms of place, Edelman, Woodhead, and Hernanez seem to provide overlap.

Could you imagine Fitz, Branch, Gronk, Hernandez, Tate, Price, Edelman?

BB does prefer proven WR since the draft is a scrap shoot. He has said on many occasions that WR's are the hardest to project.

I also think people are too hard on Tate. In the games with Moss, he seemed to get 2-3 catches.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I don't think Wes is easily replaceable. We better be getting a late 1st or early 2nd in return and then draft a WR early if we make this move.

 

[Patriot Missile]

If Wes is traded, then that most likely means that they will be going for a monster in the Larry Fitzgerald realm.

In terms of place, Edelman, Woodhead, and Hernanez seem to provide overlap.

Could you imagine Fitz, Branch, Gronk, Hernandez, Tate, Price, Edelman?

BB does prefer proven WR since the draft is a scrap shoot. He has said on many occasions that WR's are the hardest to project.

I also think people are too hard on Tate. In the games with Moss, he seemed to get 2-3 catches.

Fitzgerald is the embodiment of what I consider a class football player. I would welcome him aboard in a heartbeat.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I don't think Wes is easily replaceable. We better be getting a late 1st or early 2nd in return and then draft a WR early if we make this move.

Wes is irreplaceable.

The question is, can the other guys fill that roll based on the new dynamics if he is traded.

I mentioned Fitzgerald. Using that as an example, the question is, can these guys do "slot" stuff with him on the team.

 

[furley]

I'm not adverse to the idea of trading Wes Welker, it's better to trade a player a year early than a year late. But I'm uncertain if there's even any truth to this or is this nothing more than speculative talk by the national media. Nonetheless, I would've an interest in acquiring Eddie Royal from Denver if such a trade were possible. Like Welker, Royal will be a free agent in 2012. Denver has hired a new head coach and Royal may or may not factor into the short term plans at wide receiver. The feeling in the media, John Fox could put an emphasis more on running the ball. Not to mention, Tim Tebow likely will permanently replace Kyle Orton as the starting quarterback next season. For this reason, the wide receivers could take a hit in overall production from this season. And Royal hasn't exactly been as productive without Jay Cutler as he was as a rookie. The other wide receivers on Denver include Brandon Lloyd, Demaryius Thomas, Jabar Gaffney and Eric Decker.

With Deion Branch and Welker getting older, Royal could be a nice addition. And he and Julian Edelman as well as others can help with the transition from the aforementioned.

 

[Sciz]

Welker for the 59th overall pick and Atlanta's 6th. How would you feel?