A little early, but: should the Patriots try to re-sign Wes Welker?

[zipster9]

People are saying he is old and losing productivity. I say, wrong! Look at this year, 31yrs old and he is just as consistent as previous years.

But, if you look at how important Welker is to the Patriots success, you will find that he is a #1 receiver. He has produced more than any Patriots receiver and is durable. He clicks with Brady, a VERY IMPORTANT attribute.

People are trying to replace Welker with Edelman, DannyAmendola, etc..
Edelman is cheap, but, he is injury prone. Not reliable.
Amendola is a very good slot receiver, but he too is injury prone. Not reliable.
Other options may not panned out, or a sure thing.

Welker will be 32 in 2013 season. he probably has 2-3 years left. I would think 9m/yr with guaranteed 2.5yrs would not be too bad. Keep him as long as Brady can play.

Also remember that the Patriots have not had a good track record on drafting and signing WRs. Welker is a known quantity. Do the Patriots really want to roll the dice with Brady nearing his end of career?

 

[RayClay]

They should. It's silly to keep signing him for increasing franchise tags. Maybe after how he played this year, they'll come to a meeting of minds on years and terms.

 

[nabwong]

Brandon Stokley is playing well at 36. Don't see why Wes can't.

 

[Ring 6]

There is no perfect answer. If you look at it from a risk standpoint, there is no doubt a 32 yo (next year) WR who has the hits associated with over 1000 hits on him, of course there is a tremendous risk his health or dropoff could make the contract an overpayment.
On the other hand, calling Welker a 'slot receiver' is the height of ignorance in understanding offensive football. The Patriot offense runs through Welker. Before people who don't understand what that means start complaining, let me explain. The concepts of the Patriot passing game are built off of Welkers role. That doesn't mean he is the best player, or they try to get him the ball every ball, it means his role is the focal point that the passing scheme evolves from.
When we hear the ludicrous suggestiions, such as Edelman could replace him without any dropoff, or any list of other limited players who catch a lot of passes from the slot, it is an example of not understanding that the primary thing that separates Welker from anyone else in that role is his understanding of the offense, reading of the defense, and adjustment to routes.
So, yes, resign him.

 

[mayoclinic]

Welker will drop off at some point. But the way he's played this year, it's as likely to be at age 40 as it as in the next 2-3 years. His durability, toughness, focus, work ethic and consistency are a role model. Give him a 3 year deal, probably around $24M.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Yes
Absolutlely
Without a doubt!
Please!!
Hurry up!!!!
What the H3LL are you waiting for????

 

[mayoclinic]

Calling Welker a 'slot receiver' is the height of ignorance in understanding offensive football. The Patriot offense runs through Welker. Before people who don't understand what that means start complaining, let me explain. The concepts of the Patriot passing game are built off of Welkers role. That doesn't mean he is the best player, or they try to get him the ball every ball, it means his role is the focal point that the passing scheme evolves from. The primary thing that separates Welker from anyone else in that role is his understanding of the offense, reading of the defense, and adjustment to routes.

This is very well said. Bravo.

 

[skspikex2]

Pay the man.

And get an extension with Talib and Vollmer too.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

He should be paid but I fear if he gets the money he will get injured, not that he isn't good but I could see it happening but I want welker to stay.


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[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

Brandon Stokley is playing well at 36. Don't see why Wes can't.

So you'd really be happy if WW was putting up 600 yds and earning 9M? Amazing that on the same forum that is ready to ship out Lloyd @4M with 900 yds we have people claiming 600 yds is "playing pretty well".

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Not going to negotiate as long as they're playing. But they should approach him within minutes of the end of the post season. Just not sure they will based on what happened this off season. They never got past two years and ultimately less than $16M.

 

[zipster9]

He should be paid but I fear if he gets the money he will get injured, not that he isn't good but I could see it happening but I want welker to stay.


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I think that's always the case when you guarantee $$. But, Welker only had 1 major injury, and he came back to play the following year. I think he is more durable than many other WRs.

What worries me is that if the Patriots fail to re-sign Welker after this season, he may end up playing for the Colts, Broncos, Texans, or even the Jets. It was hard enough to cover Welker when he was a Phin, imagine him playing with a much better AFC competitor.

 

[Ring 6]

Not going to negotiate as long as they're playing. But they should approach him within minutes of the end of the post season. Just not sure they will based on what happened this off season. They never got past two years and ultimately less than $16M.

Well, we don't really know where they got to last year, so there is no reason they won't be right back at the table. Lets not pretend the media knows all of the details of the discussions between Welker and his agent, and the Patriots.

 

[zipster9]

Not going to negotiate as long as they're playing. But they should approach him within minutes of the end of the post season. Just not sure they will based on what happened this off season. They never got past two years and ultimately less than $16M.

Hopefully, after they win the SB. BillB should call him up the next day and get him signed. 3yrs would be nice.

But, BillB is known to have a "value" on each player, and is willing to let players leave....

 

[Deus Irae]

So you'd really be happy if WW was putting up 600 yds and earning 9M? Amazing that on the same forum that is ready to ship out Lloyd @4M with 900 yds we have people claiming 600 yds is "playing pretty well".

1.) Most of the forum is not ready to ship Lloyd out.

2.) Picking out your own numbers is a bit misleading, to put it kindly.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Some would title this thread "too late" instead of "too early".

This is the part of the game that is cold as ice. WW is a good teammate and a valuable player. However, when you're the GM of a team you have to weigh value/what's in the best interest of today's and tomorrow's team. Without knowing the specifics my guess is length of contract has been the sticking point. So what do the Patriots do? Do they commit to WW over the long term which has a fairly significant probability of having negative cap value in the later years of the contract? Or do they stick to their guns, up their offer in the early years and sign him to something that protects the team in the later years of the contract? It's never just as easy as "just sign him".

Again, I assume the length of the contract is the issue since the Patriots seem to have no problem paying him 9+ million per year. I suspect this could end not so well unless the Patriots bite the bullet or WW takes a shorter contract/one will less guarantee in the final years.

 

[aluminum seats]

I've evolved to the point w/Welker where I think it would be INSANE not to keep the guy. He's still Brady's go-to guy, is tough as freaking nails, and shows no signs of slowing down. No way I want to see him somewhere else.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

1.) Most of the forum is not ready to ship Lloyd out.

2.) Picking out your own numbers is a bit misleading, to put it kindly.

Coming from someone backing the idea that he was disappearing and thought that statistical breakdown of his performance was so flawed that their stance needed not be explained this is not surprising.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I think that's always the case when you guarantee $$. But, Welker only had 1 major injury, and he came back to play the following year. I think he is more durable than many other WRs.

What worries me is that if the Patriots fail to re-sign Welker after this season, he may end up playing for the Colts, Broncos, Texans, or even the Jets. It was hard enough to cover Welker when he was a Phin, imagine him playing with a much better AFC competitor.

Yeah, I say keep him and give him some jing. Maybe he will do something in the playoffs that help get them a win that might seal the deal for him.


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[Deus Irae]

Coming from someone backing the idea that he was disappearing and thought that statistical breakdown of his performance was so flawed that their stance needed not be explained this is not surprising.

You seem to have me confused with someone else. Then again, you seem confused on the whole issue. Also, trying to change this to being about me when I'm simply noting problems with your argument is silly on your part, since I wasn't being personal with you. Again:

1.) Most of the board is not ready to ship Lloyd out.

2.) Picking out your own numbers is a bit misleading, to put it kindly.