What to do with Wes Welker?

[Deus Irae]

Wes Welker has been great for the Patriots. He has been one of the most productive WRs in the league over the last few years. I will also preface my next statement by saying that I am not as high on Welker as most others. I just do not get all the drops.

I do not even want to talk about drops last year, but I can remember two critical drops this year. During the Cardinals game (which the Pats lost), Wes dropped an easy third down conversion immediately prior to the blocked punt. The second drop was yesterday. The Pats offense was finally marching on down the field in the fourth quarter only to watch Wes drop a gimmie touchdown. Luckily, the Pats still got 3 points and beat the Dolphins.

My point is that it is okay to try and re-sign Wes, but if the drops are going to continue, I do not understand how he can be paid as much as he would like. I am glad that he catches 110+ passes a year. He is the best slot WR in the league. But, it would be much better for the Pats, if his 110+ catches included the clutch ones that he has been dropping.

As others have said, I think the Pats should definitely resign Welker, but both sides will have to compromise. If Wes is unwilling to compromise, hopefully the Pats can work out a trade.

Please send the Patriots front office the extensive list of elite WRs who never drop passes.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I hate to say this because I LOVE Wes.....but if you could get a high second rounder and perhaps also a later round pick for the guy this year or in offseason you would have to take it. He has been one of the greatest pats ever and a tremendous receiver....but he has taken a buttload of HARD hits, he has had the ACL reconstruction which is going to allow for further degeneration (arthritic) to that knee,he has had some ankle issues over past 2 years, he is getting older,......and he has been dropping a fair amount of balls in CRITICAL situations that he NEVER or hardly ever dropped. (and I am not just referring to that dagger in the heart drop in the SB last year) I think BB will move him if there is a decent offer on the table........

For the umpteenth time...the trade deadline has long passed and you can't trade a player who isnt signed. Only way they could trade Welker is if they tag him in March and he then signs the tag. Otherwise he isn't a tradeable commodity. This past year he signed his tag early as a sign of good faith. But that was in May, after the draft, and he did it so he could attend mini camp. He's not signing early next time if there is one.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Please send the Patriots front office the extensive list of elite WRs who never drop passes.

Heck, include the names of the elite TE's too, since that is what they supposedly planned to replace him with...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

One of the reporters that I read earlier in the day, and for the life of me I can't remember if it was Curran or Bedard or Shalise or Doug Kyed, had tweeted that a deal was already written up and ready for signature at the end of the season.

I would think that's what's going to happen. I can't see them letting him walk, not with his production.

I follow Curran, Bedard and Shalise and didn't see that. Maybe Kyed whoever he is, but more likely blathering about what he assumes they must be doing. Bedard is pretty firmly in Welker's corner and I think he has access and he's recently tweeted he believes he's gone after this season.

 

[Ivan]

You see what you want to see. That much is pretty darn obvious.

And no, there's really no significant subjectivity in deeming CJ the best wideout in the league.

And for some reason Jack you are making a claim and refusing to back it up. C. Johnson, like L. Fitzgerald, is one of 2-3 receivers for who the claim can be made that he has produced as much or than Welker the past few seasons, I have no Problem with either, however there is more to this debate than just your subjective oPinion. Welker's production is as good as any WR in football yet many Patriot fans want him to be treated and paid as if he is Ochocinco, and that's a disgrace.

 

[PatsFan2]

Lets be real guys with the Patriots alternative at the position...do they have any other option than to sign Wes Welker?? He has earned a Max Three year contract he as alot left in the tank.

 

[Ivan]

He's one of the hardest working guys in the business....he is scrappy and tough as he((..
BUT how MANY more years can this guy take the kind of shots he takes and stay in the game? Physically he will be breaking down soon I am afraid.....ankles are pretty banged up, bad knee, the hip or Low back will be next......One of the toughest bastids that has ever played here....but how long can you take that abuse...

Had the Patriots followed this line of reasoning when peoPle started making this argument three years ago they would have given up the most productive receiver in football and Brady would have taken a serious beating without him. It amazes me that anyone could even consider getting rid of a player who plays like a hall of fa mer rPime of his career.

 

[Ivan]

There's a large group of people who've taken IBBIT to amazing heights. Beyond that, there's another large group of people who may not take the IBBIT quite as much to heart, but have been convinced that the Patriots methods and thoughts are always on target. The problem for the Patriots, in the Welker-contract sense, is that the Patriots and many fans have guessed wrong as to when that decline would take place. Instead of being phased out of the offense this year, WWW has become even more of the central cog, because he's the only receiver/te who can both stay healthy and be counted on.

"Welker shouldn't get paid because he's old and going to be in inevitable decline" will eventually be the right answer, because Welker will eventually lose the age/injury battle, just as everyone does. When that happens, all the IBBIT types will crow about having been right, just as Felger crows about being right about Moss in 2010, after having been wrong about Moss for the 3 years prior.

Just saw this. I could be considered one of those who believe strongly in Belichick however I don't think he is infallible and that is evident in his track record when it comes to drafting DB's and WR's, as well as some of his decisions with high priced free agents. However I do think he does an exceptional job overall in both respects. Great as he is he can be stubborn and kind of a **** when it comes to his own free agents, Vinatieri is a good example of this, and for some reason Welker falls into this category. If Belichick has been behind this, and I believe he is making this call, then he is 100% wrong IMO. Welker is the 2nd most important player on this offense, and maybe on their team. Low balling him the way they have is the dumbest and most disgraceful thing I have ever seen them do. Belichick IMO is the greatest coach in football history but that doesn't mean he doesn't have blind spots or make mistakes and this may well be the biggest mistake he has ever made.

 

[resdubwhite]

Just saw this. I could be considered one of those who believe strongly in Belichick however I don't think he is infallible and that is evident in his track record when it comes to drafting DB's and WR's, as well as some of his decisions with high priced free agents. However I do think he does an exceptional job overall in both respects. Great as he is he can be stubborn and kind of a **** when it comes to his own free agents, Vinatieri is a good example of this, and for some reason Welker falls into this category. If Belichick has been behind this, and I believe he is making this call, then he is 100% wrong IMO. Welker is the 2nd most important player on this offense, and maybe on their team. Low balling him the way they have is the dumbest and most disgraceful thing I have ever seen them do. Belichick IMO is the greatest coach in football history but that doesn't mean he doesn't have blind spots or make mistakes and this may well be the biggest mistake he has ever made.

I don't think they were ****s over Viniateri.

Didn't they pay him franchise tag twice. They were going to pay him well, its just the Colts paid him better.

 

[Danger Zone]

Yes, teams pay for future value, and that's why the Patriots tagged him, because they knew someone would pay him what he is worth when they weren't willing to. And if they violate the CBA by trying to pull the same crap this year he should refuse to sign and challenge the tag. The league will nullify the tag because the Patriots didn't make a reasonable offer, and that is required by the CBA.

I love Welker and my vote is pay the man.

That said I might also be tempted to trade him to a west coast team for a 7th if I thought Ivan might stop posting here.

 

[Ivan]

I love Welker and my vote is pay the man.

That said I might also be tempted to trade him to a west coast team for a 7th if I thought Ivan might stop posting here.

In which case you might as well just find another site to post at.

A fantasy football site would be best for you anyways as you know nothing about the real thing.

 

[PatsFan2]

Top WR's not named Wes Welker is FA 2013.

1) Dwayne Bowe = Personal favorite of mine.

2) Mike Wallace = Might be one trick pony but his Speed is literally off the charts.

3) Victor Cruz = Might be RFA but Faster version of Welker very Good WR in his own right.

3) Greg Jennings = Injury riddled season really Good when healthy.

Danny Amendola = Wes Welker pt.2 not too fast but catches everything thrown his way. Also i am sure McDaniels knows some about him.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I don't think they were ****s over Viniateri.

Didn't they pay him franchise tag twice. They were going to pay him well, its just the Colts paid him better.

Oh, they were ****s. They didn't pay him franchise tag twice. They used it twice, once before inking a 3 year extension and the last time before letting him walk while sending signals that led the rest of the league to believe they were being played as leverage if they negotiated with him. That was why Parcell's held off, and he was a little miffed when he found out he'd been played. The Colts gave him $3.5M more in signing bonus than the zero he was offered here and implicitly guaranteed him $7.5M within the first 3 seasons of a 5 year deal. NE offered to keep him the highest salaried kicker in the league provided he was, you know, still on the roster every year... They tried to match late but the damage was done. Kinda like the Waters business.

Of course then we drafted Gostkowski everyone said hahahahahaha Bill wins again...although Adam won another ring and since extending Gostkowski to his among the highest paid deal two years ago things haven't seemed to be working out quite as planned...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Top WR's not named Wes Welker is FA 2013.

1) Dwayne Bowe = Personal favorite of mine.

2) Mike Wallace = Might be one trick pony but his Speed is literally off the charts.

3) Victor Cruz = Might be RFA but Faster version of Welker very Good WR in his own right.

3) Greg Jennings = Injury riddled season really Good when healthy.

Danny Amendola = Wes Welker pt.2 not too fast but catches everything thrown his way. Also i am sure McDaniels knows some about him.

All great choices provided system fit and catch rate and contract demands and/or durability aren't a concern.

 

[Nehalem]

Top WR's not named Wes Welker is FA 2013.

1) Dwayne Bowe = Personal favorite of mine.

If you liked watching Welker drop the ball you will love Bowe!

Danny Amendola = Wes Welker pt.2 not too fast but catches everything thrown his way. Also i am sure McDaniels knows some about him.

Seems more like a Julian Edelman clone given his injury issues.

 

[Danger Zone]

In which case you might as well jusind another site to post at.

A fantasy football site would be best for you anyways as you know nothing about the real thing.

I know there are a lot of knowledgable posters that would really appreciate you toning it down several notches. You've only been asked this dozens of times.

And since you seem so worried about my football erudition, it is my opinion that I would have a greater chance at learning something without being forced to read your bullying, self-righteous hyper-sensetivity about anything Welker.

 

[PatsFan2]

If you liked watching Welker drop the ball you will love Bowe!



Seems more like a Julian Edelman clone given his injury issues.

Nehalem under your name is says Practice Squad...keep posting like that and it will soon be some other teams Practice Squad.

 

[ATippett56]

Top WR's not named Wes Welker is FA 2013.

Danny Amendola = Wes Welker pt.2 not too fast but catches everything thrown his way. Also i am sure McDaniels knows some about him.

Franchise tag looks inevitable for Amendola | ProFootballTalk

Amendola would have no complaints about the franchise tag | ProFootballTalk

 

[JackBauer]

And for some reason Jack you are making a claim and refusing to back it up. C. Johnson, like L. Fitzgerald, is one of 2-3 receivers for who the claim can be made that he has produced as much or than Welker the past few seasons, I have no Problem with either, however there is more to this debate than just your subjective oPinion. Welker's production is as good as any WR in football yet many Patriot fans want him to be treated and paid as if he is Ochocinco, and that's a disgrace.

2010-present:

CJ: 259 receptions, 4229 yards, 33TD
Welkah: 300 receptions, 3481 yards, 20TD

 

[ATippett56]

Given the choice considering salary cap limitations, I would rather re-sign Wes Welker and Julian Edelman than Danny Woodhead and Sebastian Vollmer.

2013 New England Patriots Running Backs under contract:

Stevan Ridley
Shane Vereen
Brandon Bolden
Jeff Demps (currently tucked away safely on Injured Reserve)
Spencer Larsen (currently on Injured Reserve)

2013 New England Patriots Offensive Tackles under contract:

Nate Solder
Marcus Cannon
Markus Zusevics
Kyle Hix (currently on Injured Reserve)

2013 New England Patriots Wide Receivers under contract:

Brandon Lloyd
Matt Slater (wide receiver in designation only)

http://www.patriots.com/team/roster.html