Welker 3/06 rumor of the day: Will go to Free Agency

[BSR]

Clearly the Pats have their number and Wes has his. I don't see why him testing the FA market as some kind of betrayal. Its probably makes good sense for both sides to see what the market REALLY is out there, and then sit back down and work out a deal.

I disagree with this. The only reason for Wes to go to free agency is to maximize dollars. The Patriots are not the type that care what other teams are willing to pay him, as you said, they have their number. The most disconcerting thing about this report is the sense that the plan is FA. That isn't a good sign. It basically means that they are either really far apart, which is contrary to the other day's report, or that Wes is really just interested in moving on.

 

[borg]

Frankly, this will work to the Pats advantage.

It's going to be a buyer's market this year with most of the competitive teams in bad cap situations.

For Wes, it's an even worse situation in that there are apparently a bunch of slot options in the draft, so teams will be reticent to spend on a 31 year old slot receiver when they can get a 22 year old for a fraction of the price.

I think Wes will find he's actually worth more to the Patriots than the rest of the league. He'll be back.

A buyer's market at WR??????
Bowe just locked in $26 mill guaranteed on basically a 3 year contract averaging $12 mill per year.
Notice how the story started to get muddled once Bowe reupped.
Three premium guys left and only one defines consistency and durability

 

[ralmat55]

My guess is negotiations blew up yesterday. Whenever a Patriot player has a contractual dispute with the Pats, I almost always take the side of the player because Patriot management (PR aside) is tighter than tight. The Patriots are over-playing their hand as usual, and Welker has had enough. I can't say I blame him.

With that said, I'd still rather give Mike Wallace $12 million a year than pay Welker $10 million a year. But, the Patriots won't do that because they will not pay market value for anyone other than Bill Belichick. My guess he's not coaching at half his market value from 2015-2017 as his QB is. Bob and Jonathan Kraft will not be lowering their projected profits either.

 

[Nunchucks]

I disagree with this. The only reason for Wes to go to free agency is to maximize dollars. The Patriots are not the type that care what other teams are willing to pay him, as you said, they have their number. The most disconcerting thing about this report is the sense that the plan is FA. That isn't a good sign. It basically means that they are either really far apart, which is contrary to the other day's report, or that Wes is really just interested in moving on.

Or the Patriots gave a number and told Wes to see if he could do better in FA.

 

[Big-T]

I'm sure he will LOVE Brandon Weeden passing him the ball at such a height he gets lit up every time he goes to catch the ball.

 

[borg]

My guess is negotiations blew up yesterday. Whenever a Patriot player has a contractual dispute with the Pats, I almost always take the side of the player because Patriot management (PR aside) is tighter than tight. The Patriots are over-playing their hand as usual, and Welker has had enough. I can't say I blame him.

With that said, I'd still rather give Mike Wallace $12 million a year than pay Welker $10 million a year. But, the Patriots won't do that because they will not pay market value for anyone other than Bill Belichick. My guess he's not coaching at half his market value from 2015-2017 as his QB is. Bob and Jonathan Kraft will not be lowering their projected profits either.

Very nice train of thought. I like it. This should stir up the "Pats do no wrong" hornets nest. Let me start....

I guess Belichick is the only Patriot worthy of a #1 contract.....what a joke

 

[Banjo]

Wes should go win a Super Bowl with Peyton and stick it to us!

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Clearly the Pats have their number and Wes has his. I don't see why him testing the FA market as some kind of betrayal. Its probably makes good sense for both sides to see what the market REALLY is out there, and then sit back down and work out a deal.

This news makes it look like Welker really might not be back, but this stat should bring some solace IF that occurs. After losing both Branch and Givens and replacing them with the immortal Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney the Pats still managed to make it to the final 4, rank 7th in scoring offense and 11th in total offense. Life will go on, especially when you consider that they have much better receivers now than they had going into the 2006 season.

BTW- if he goes I don't think it will be just for the money, it would have to be good situation as well. Denver would probably make the most sense. They have a QB who now excels in the dink and dunk offense. They have some cap room, but they have to be careful because this is DThomas's contract year and it won't be smart to have 2 WR's making over $10MM/yr on the same team. (and IIRC, its Decker's contract year as well) OTOH, Denver is playing to a short window of opportunity and they just might not give a **** about what their cap looks like in 2014 and beyond.

I'd thought Denver too but on SIRIUS NFL radio they mentioned that Manning loves his slot receiver Stokley who is also lots cheaper than Welker. Stokley moves the chains on 3rd down so how much of an improvement would a Welker be at $8-$10 million per year?

 

[BSR]

Or the Patriots gave a number and told Wes to see if he could do better in FA.

Why would they ever want to encourage him to do that? There is really no good that could come to the Patriots from him going to FA.

 

[Froob]

I'd thought Denver too but on SIRIUS NFL radio they mentioned that Manning loves his slot receiver Stokley who is also lots cheaper than Welker. Stokley moves the chains on 3rd down so how much of an improvement would a Welker be at $8-$10 million per year?

Dude...with all due respect, Stokley is like a million years old. If Broncos can shuffle contracts around they def should be interested. Stokley could be toast any year now. I give him credit he had a great season for a guy his age, I fully expected him to be cut in training camp. Kudos to him, but you don't not go after Welker because you have Stoley. Welker had twice as many catches and yards as him. Is there a rule that you can't have multiple slot receivers? I'd love to see us get both Welker and Amendola.

 

[kennyb]

If that's true, and he ends up testing the market without finding a team that would pay him, he can kiss NE goodbye. No way they'd take him back after this little stunt.

To be quite honest, I'm starting to get sick of that little prick's primadonna attitude.

I disagree, what is he supposed to do? If you're at your job and think the grass may be greener, does that make you a bad person or disloyal for scouting your options, including salary?

It's a good thing. I don't think he'll get as much as he thinks he's worth and he'll come back to the pats and won't feel cheated. Or maybe he'll leave, that's his right. The team will go on, stronger than before, has to.

 

[BradyManny]

A buyer's market at WR??????
Bowe just locked in $26 mill guaranteed on basically a 3 year contract averaging $12 mill per year.
Notice how the story started to get muddled once Bowe reupped.
Three premium guys left and only one defines consistency and durability

Dwayne Bowe is a 28 year old 6'2, 220 lbs outside receiver. His contract will and should have little bearing on Wes Welker's.

 

[borg]

Dude...with all due respect, Stokley is like a million years old. If Broncos can shuffle contracts around they def should be interested. Stokley could be toast any year now. I give him credit he had a great season for a guy his age, I fully expected him to be cut in training camp. Kudos to him, but you don't not go after Welker because you have Stoley. Welker had twice as many catches and yards as him. Is there a rule that you can't have multiple slot receivers? I'd love to see us get both Welker and Amendola.

Elway has proven he is all in. The Denver window is smaller than NE's. Hurt a conference foe and upgrade his weapons......why not

 

[TyronePoole]

I hope Wes gets every last dollar he can, he's probably in for an otherwise rough life after football and like any other working person has the right to secure financial stability for himself for the rest of his life.

And I don't blame him one iota if there's lingering resentment over his bizarre use at the beginning of the season. What makes it especially distasteful is if the Pats decided to punish him on the field for his contract demands or tried to drive down his value before realizing how much they needed him. Either way Wes and the Pats certainly know more than we do so the posters throwing a tantrum and spiting him because he won't enslave himself to the Pats are just being dumb homers.

He's a future Pats HOFer and one of the best and most selfless players we've ever had so I wish him luck whatever happens.

 

[Kontradiction]

You're mad that he's seeking money after he played 5 years for us on an 18m contract, EXTREMELY out performing it, got pissed that he didn't get a real contract offer, and wants to see what the market values him at?

That makes Welker the bad guy?

Welker is by all accounts one of the best team players we have, one of the only guys who will never quit on a Sunday, and he's now a prick? You know him so well.

The team will more than gladly take him back after this "stunt" if he accepts our offer, and I'll think even more highly of him if he does because we know for a fact that someone else will offer him more than we are, so he'll be playing at a market value discount, yet AGAIN.

Indeed. If this is true, then the Pats shouldn't have screwed around with him last offseason in regards to the contract offer and at the beginning of the season in regards to playing time. He's now I'm in the position to make them pay for it.

 

[upstater1]

My guess is negotiations blew up yesterday. Whenever a Patriot player has a contractual dispute with the Pats, I almost always take the side of the player because Patriot management (PR aside) is tighter than tight. The Patriots are over-playing their hand as usual, and Welker has had enough. I can't say I blame him.

With that said, I'd still rather give Mike Wallace $12 million a year than pay Welker $10 million a year. But, the Patriots won't do that because they will not pay market value for anyone other than Bill Belichick. My guess he's not coaching at half his market value from 2015-2017 as his QB is. Bob and Jonathan Kraft will not be lowering their projected profits either.

Mankins, Seymour, Law, Wilfork, Adalius Thomas all received market value.

Brady, Branch, Curtis Martin, Samuel, did not.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

Clearly the Pats have their number and Wes has his. I don't see why him testing the FA market as some kind of betrayal. Its probably makes good sense for both sides to see what the market REALLY is out there, and then sit back down and work out a deal.

This news makes it look like Welker really might not be back, but this stat should bring some solace IF that occurs. After losing both Branch and Givens and replacing them with the immortal Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney the Pats still managed to make it to the final 4, rank 7th in scoring offense and 11th in total offense. Life will go on, especially when you consider that they have much better receivers now than they had going into the 2006 season.

BTW- if he goes I don't think it will be just for the money, it would have to be good situation as well. Denver would probably make the most sense. They have a QB who now excels in the dink and dunk offense. They have some cap room, but they have to be careful because this is DThomas's contract year and it won't be smart to have 2 WR's making over $10MM/yr on the same team. (and IIRC, its Decker's contract year as well) OTOH, Denver is playing to a short window of opportunity and they just might not give a **** about what their cap looks like in 2014 and beyond.

Not to mention that team averaged more points per game in the POs than the high octane ones.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Jennings + Amendola >>> Welker

Look Welker has great stats, but this dunk and dunk offense has to go.

 

[borg]

Dwayne Bowe is a 28 year old 6'2, 220 lbs outside receiver. His contract will and should have little bearing on Wes Welker's.

The Pats may see it that way but do you honestly believe WW and his agent will concede this. Not a chance.
The Pats franchised him last year paying him top 5 money. The Pats have no leg to stand on if they want to now make the argument that WW has less value.

 

[TyronePoole]

Jennings + Amendola >>> Welker

Look Welker has great stats, but this dunk and dunk offense has to go.

Gronk injuries are the only thing that stopped this "dink and dunk offense" from winning the last two superbowls imo.