Except that it doesn't work that simply.
Will they eat into his reception totals? Probably. But imagine what YAC Welker could have when Lloyd is dragging safeties downfield with him, so WW's being covered by LBs.
Yeah, it kinda does work that way.
WW would be great against LB's. Also, there are plenty of receivers that would be great against LB's that will not cost $9-10 MM per year.
That's where the breakdown is.
In 2012
The new, "old" OC who is getting the gang back together.
An overhaul of the WR corps that includes WR's the new, "old" OC is essentially bringing (back) with him.
Two all world TE's that are starting to come into their own.
Two high pick RB's that will bring phyical qualities not seen in many years.
A head coach that is the antithesis of "do what we do".
Yet somehow patsfans.com "knows" that this will be the exact same offense and the reason WW is being treated this way is either a pathological need for mgmt to "win" at everything (Mo) or a sadistic need for mgmt to treat posterboard "Patriot Way" players with disdain (Ivan). (See other thread)
Maybe, just maybe the 2012 offense will be a new variation of the offense that while still takes considerable advantage of (see money committed/ offered)...will not have the same emphasis on taking advantage of the WW skillset.
As such, this translates into a smaller offer than WW should rightly expect.
Furthermore, WW is one of very, very few WR's that actually make a QB better (ask MC if WW is just a "slot receiver") so this will have him test the market to see true value.