Convince me Welker + 2nd > KCurtis - 2nd

[tombonneau]

These are ostensibly similar WRs. (Let's put aside the fact that they are white.) Both are smaller, Curtis more of a speed guy than Welker. Both are what, 4-5th year? Both have had about a year of play to prove they can be capable #2 guys, and excellent #3s.

I'd imagine Curtis is going to sign for about the same, maybe a bit more than Welker, but let's really call the salary a constant.

Convince me that Welker + the pick > Curtis - pick.

Is BB really that enamored with what WW brings to the table with the return game?

 

[dtbrks]

I wish I could

 

[upstater1]

I basically agree with you. Not because I think Welker isn't better than Curtis, but because the pick outweighs the difference between the two.

One could make the argument that losing Welker weakens Miami. But then again, Miami now has an extra draft pick on day one in a very very deep draft.

 

[Warren94]

the 60th pick is four picks away from the third round. I don't have a problem with the pick. I am curious to see how much he is going to cost minus the poison pill.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Is BB really that enamored with what WW brings to the table with the return game?

LOL for that question, BB would narrow his eyes, and then go on in a very dull, droning voice, "well, there are three phases in the game. And ST is a important aspect of that game. "

 

[jczxohn1]

LOL for that question, BB would narrow his eyes, and then go on in a very dull, droning voice, "well, there are three phases in the game. And ST is a important aspect of that game. "

Bingo-----------

 

[Warren94]

lol no doubt.

 

[Keegs]

I think he is

and it makes Miami weaker, so that's just kinda funny

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

welker- 25 years old, 3 years exp., 67 rec., 1 td
curtis- 28 years old, 4 years exp., 40 rec., 4 td

also i would like to add that taking welker away from the pats division rival also adds to the incentive.

 

[tombonneau]

I still haven't made up my mind myself how I feel about it. I love Welker, and think he will be a great Patriot, but a 2nd is a 2nd. When I heard the news I was all for it, a 2nd seemed a solid cost for a guy like Welker, but then I started thinking about Curtis and what he brings to the table, and thought the variance between he and Welker was not greater than the cost of a #2.

I suppose it has a lot to do with the familiarity BB has with WW, having played him 2x year for the past 3-4 years, vs. never really game planning vs. Curtis.

Given that BB & co. have broken down Welker 2x/yr, I'm going to have to take it on faith that he is that much better than Curtis.

 

[BelichickFan]

I don't think we can convince you now. We probably can't convince ourselves.

However, four points :

- Don't discount the return game. It's REALLY important.
- Belichick has faced Welker twice a year for years now.
- Belichick and Saban can talk again, Saban knows Welker well.
- Welker has had guys like Harrington throwing to him, Curtis has had Bulger and both Holt and Bruce taking the defense away from him.

 

[PatDaPatriot]

Curtis is going to sign a big contract with Detroit. He's been linked with them for a long time. Supposedly, he really wants to play for Mike Martz again. Not sure how realistic it would've been to get the guy...

 

[shirtsleeve]

the 60th pick is four picks away from the third round. I don't have a problem with the pick. I am curious to see how much he is going to cost minus the poison pill.

And therein will lie the genius of this deal, imo. Curtis is a very similar WR, and the one I would have wanted before the deal. But he is sure to be part of a bidding war and will probably draw the face value money that WW is contracted for. If this contract isn't backloaded with lots of dead unearnable, uncappable money, I'll tend to agree with you. But my guess is, this thing is loaded with it, and a guarantee via the poison pill for the fins. So we probably got a Curtis clone for realistically will be about half the price and cap hit, plus the pick. Much much better deal that way.

 

[Fumblerooski]

These are ostensibly similar WRs. (Let's put aside the fact that they are white.) Both are smaller, Curtis more of a speed guy than Welker. Both are what, 4-5th year? Both have had about a year of play to prove they can be capable #2 guys, and excellent #3s.

I'd imagine Curtis is going to sign for about the same, maybe a bit more than Welker, but let's really call the salary a constant.

Convince me that Welker + the pick > Curtis - pick.

Is BB really that enamored with what WW brings to the table with the return game?

Does Curtis want to come here? You have to add that to the equation.

I think BB is looking at Welker as a replacement for Troy Brown and is willing to pay the going rate to get him.

Look at who they have signed already - they are as replacments for players lost in FA.

Graham - Brady
Dillon - Morris
TBC or Seau - Thomas

Seau/TBC- ? Need one more LB
Brown if he retires - ? (Welker)

 

[DaBruinz]

These are ostensibly similar WRs. (Let's put aside the fact that they are white.) Both are smaller, Curtis more of a speed guy than Welker. Both are what, 4-5th year? Both have had about a year of play to prove they can be capable #2 guys, and excellent #3s.

I'd imagine Curtis is going to sign for about the same, maybe a bit more than Welker, but let's really call the salary a constant.

Convince me that Welker + the pick > Curtis - pick.

Is BB really that enamored with what WW brings to the table with the return game?

Easy. Wes Welker is a proven special teams player in all aspects of special teams (KR/PR/kick coverage/punt coverage) while Kevin Curtis has a whopping 9 KR on his resume. Yes, Curtis is a slitghly more polished receiver, but he doesn't seem to get the YAC that Welker does.

Also, I just looked up Curtis splits. He's much better at home, in the Dome, than on the road. Almost a 5 yard per catch difference. At home, he was getting 14.4 YPC while on the road he was getting 9.6 YPC.

I wanted either or when it came to the two. I am very happy with Welker and obviously the Pats are as well.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Vrabel was a RFA, wan't he? I'm sure most of us went, who, when the Pats signed him years ago. I put this in the same boat with the Vrabel signing. Welker will absoultely explode in our offense. He is Troy Brown II! He will be more than worht the secound round pick.

 

[Patstopia]

As I said in an earlier thread. Welker reminds me of Troy Brown. I think he gives everything he has on every play. A playmaker!

 

[Water Boy]

Convince me that Welker + the pick > Curtis - pick.

Welker is a special teams ace and I'm assuming that the Pats will be able to get him at a cheaper salary.

We have enough picks in this draft to give up no. 60.

 

[dhamz]

I think the 2 things at work here are probably a huge recommendation by Saban which would mean a lot to BB and the special teams factor.

I do like Welker as a player but I'm not sure that I agree with the decision because I think it is a lot to give for a slot WR and an average return man.

 

[chowder]

would you be convinced if that 2nd was for a player that ended up being like marquise hill or bethel johnson? I think Welker and Curtis are both good players, but Welker's versatility in the return game and ST makes him worth a 2nd and he is additionally a known commodity. Plus, he won't be torching us again in any games like he did last year.