Re-sign Welker AND Branch?

[MrNathanDrake]

I think we will. Barring any significant injuries, both look really fresh this season and have a lot left in them.


Neither have been tremendously successful outside of our team. Both are similar players who have good chemistry with Brady.

Branch in particular wont be able to find big money offers outside of NE. After his debacle in Seattle teams will be scared of signing him.

Welker just seems like a Patriot til the end. I cant imagine him on another team. Maybe Im wrong.

 

[TheSolderKing]

Welker ABSOLUTELY


Branch... No chance UNLESS if Ocho sux tremendously.


we have Ocho for 3 years. (counting this year)


Ocho makes Branch expendable and we do NOT need 2 aging similar WR's

 

[Easywolf32]

I can see Branch lasting 3-5 years, he's the perfect 3-5WR and gives performances of a WR1 option in key times, especially with the NE uniform on. I hope Chad changes his name at some point lol, but other than a good distraction I'm not sure why he is on the team. Hopefully they make something outta him... If Welker can last many more years not sure why you would not want to sign him as a good slot receiver and more.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I dont think Branch will be expensive.

He's shown he only thrives with Brady and the Patriots in the NFL.

and he's 33.

No ones going to throw a bunch of money at him. We should be able to re-sign him cheap. The only downside is it keeps a guy like Taylor Price backed up on the depth chart.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I doubt any team would give branch a multi year deal. I see him signing 1-2 year deals till he's done here.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think we will. Barring any significant injuries, both look really fresh this season and have a lot left in them.


Neither have been tremendously successful outside of our team. Both are similar players who have good chemistry with Brady.

Branch in particular wont be able to find big money offers outside of NE. After his debacle in Seattle teams will be scared of signing him.

Welker just seems like a Patriot til the end. I cant imagine him on another team. Maybe Im wrong.

I don't know where you get the notion that Welker wasn't successful before coming to the Patriots. He was a rising player who'd gone from 29 catches to a team leading 67 catches in his last season in Miami, and Belichick was effusive in his praise for Welker:

“He killed us at Miami,” Belichick (left, kinda, in Matt Stone’s photo) said. “I remember, we doubled 83 down there, he was playing in the slot at Miami, and we still couldn’t cover him. I mean, he caught whatever it was, nine for 110, he returned a punt 70 yards down to the 1-yard line, he killed us. The next time we played ‘em, we doubled him, and couldn’t really stop him.”

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet» Blog Archive » In the aftermath of Patriots 31, Jets 14, Belichick explained why he traded for Welker: “He absolutely killed us.”

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Welker ABSOLUTELY


Branch... No chance UNLESS if Ocho sux tremendously.


we have Ocho for 3 years. (counting this year)


Ocho makes Branch expendable and we do NOT need 2 aging similar WR's

I'd rather have Branch. Brady and him have a good proven chemistry.

 

[Sciz]

I don't see any way Branch isn't a Patriot for the rest of his career. And when it comes to declining physically, is there a WR in the NFL who can do more with less athleticism in the NFL?

 

[BritPat]

Welker was fantastic for the Dolphins. The fans had a campaign on the go in 2006 to get him to the Pro Bowl.

 

[BritPat]

I'd rather have Branch. Brady and him have a good proven chemistry.

Yeah, because Welker has barely caught anything since he came here hasn't he?

Welker has actually caught more passes from Brady in 3 full seasons, than Branch did in 4.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I guess it depends on how much they have in the tank that that point, I love Welker and want him to be a Patriots until he dies. If they both have something in the tank I say yes, they both have spectacular chemistry with TFB and he trusts them.

My free agent WR target is actually Eddie Royal, this would obviously depend on how Chad finishes the season. Royal was a drafted relatively low, has very good athleticism, has had some injuries of late which have kept him from performing up to expectations, and he knows our offense (which is what they use in Denver). He'd likely have an impact very quickly here.

 

[TheSolderKing]

I'd rather have Branch. Brady and him have a good proven chemistry.

I hear you. is this Branch's last yr? I am a huge fan of Branch's, but my biggest knock on the guy is his injury history.


I would love for Ocho to be a dependable WR. Do you think solid chemistry is possible w/ 85 and TFB? Branch and TFB are electric, but Branch's injured past works against him. How much longer does Branch have in the league do you think?

 

[patsfan-1982]

Edelman has 8 rec in he's last 17 games, Price has yet to be active and Ochocinco the few times that he is on the field is not geting open so with that said i think the pats will re-sign both Welker and Branch

 

[BlueThunder]

WR is probably the deepest part of the Pats Offense....not to discount the RB situation...Ridley has looked good early and Vereen still has to show what he can do....good position to be in....Faulk is Pup for now, but could be shadow roster guy if a season ending injury occurs to the other 4 RB's.......

 

[MrNathanDrake]

What do you guys think about Re-Signing Law Firm?


With Ridley, Woodhead, and Vereen..... it might not be likely if he wants big money. Someone else will be willing to pay him more.

 

[sly24]

Branch has the magic touch here, I think it would be a big mistake to get rid of him. (unless he's hurt)

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Yeah, because Welker has barely caught anything since he came here hasn't he?

Welker has actually caught more passes from Brady in 3 full seasons, than Branch did in 4.

Between Ocho and Branch, I believe was the question.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

I hear you. is this Branch's last yr? I am a huge fan of Branch's, but my biggest knock on the guy is his injury history.


I would love for Ocho to be a dependable WR. Do you think solid chemistry is possible w/ 85 and TFB? Branch and TFB are electric, but Branch's injured past works against him. How much longer does Branch have in the league do you think?

I dont know how long he will want to play or last without injury, but the guy just loves playing with Brady. You can see his passion in his pressers. All the guy talks about is the chemistry Brady and him have. Ocho, I dont know. Do you take a chance on an unproven guy (who BTW is no spring chicken) or the guy who's been performing, albiet, nothing extraordinary. I like Ocho, but if I had to choose, Branch, hands down! Welker, no brainer, resign him:rocker: Edit: BTW, the way they've had injuries lately, I think Branch has been holding up pretty well! Knock on wood!

 

[satz]

Welker - He is still going strong and he succeeds because he reads defenses as brady thinks he should. He was never the fastest or tallest guy with raw talent. His capacity is mental and being 31 he will be resigned . Now you need to give him some money as KC , Jets ,Rams will be very interested.At 31 and 2 yrs from injury he will get some offer.Also, asking edelman and herandez to replace his production is hard as they seem to be dinged up all the time.He is the healthy and still got some legs.

Branch - Resigned for cheap , we just do not have anyone else and last week he had a 100+ yd game. So as long he contributes and has a few good games sign him.He will be cheaper and give you the 3rd option.

***Future find 1 outside guy.

Law firm- I think absence of vareen and ridley already has been believe he will be signed this year using the 10 million cap we still have. You need 4 RB anyway and i have yet to see vareen and ridley .ridley already fumbling the ball kind of helps law firm. We have looked for a good runner for a few years and it will be dumb to let him go hoping we can find another in a few yrs.

 

[BendButDontBreak37]

ridley already fumbling the ball kind of helps law firm.

Maybe I missed it, bit when did Ridley fumble??