Robert Kraft blasts Welker's agent

TheBostonStraggler said:

IF this is true -- obviously none of us can be absolutely sure at this point -- either WW's agent did a substandard job, WW disregarded the possibility and went with Denver's offer anyway or the market for WW was soft as silk. A 6 million cap savings after only one playing year? On a contract that is 8 million per year average??. Wow. There are just too many variables (too many of them completely out of WW's control) that could work against him. IMHO anything conspicuously less than production equal to his time with the Patriots and he is more likely to be cut than not (Denver's cap situation obviously is a big factor).
Again IF this is true, this is the best WW could do??? Only one year of certainty followed by being an attractive prospect for being cut? Again, wow...

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Welker's agent looks terrible in this.

Perhaps the biggest slap is that Welker went around him and called the Pats to suddenly try to do his own negotiation/representation/whatever.

I do suspect Kraft of a little bit of posturing:

"See, this is what happens when a player doesn't take our generous offers. Let that be a warning to the others."

(Not literally -- for example he says the Pats would have raised their offer. But in that general vein.)

I have no problem with Kraft showing some balls and setting the record straight. Frankly, like it or not, Welker is now an enemy (as every member of the other 31 teams should be) I just wish the moment hadnt gotten the best of him in regards to the Brady comment. Sure, people on this board and in the media may consider Tom to be an almighty power who deserves a say, but Tom himself does not think that way nor has he ever expressed that type of belief. Either way both men are professionals and close friends and this shouldnt affect anything.

Fencer said:

Welker's agent looks terrible in this.

Perhaps the biggest slap is that Welker went around him and called the Pats to suddenly try to do his own negotiation/representation/whatever.

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Obviously we will have to wait and see the results of the 2013 season and what happens in the offseason thereafter. However, I agree his agent does look terrible at first glance.
If WW does not have a year like the years he had with the Patriots (or at least semi so), the Broncos probably cut him. Then WW is looking at a market that is thinking 'you're past your prime and your highlights were a result of playing with TB/the Patriots'. There is too much of a chance for that to happen. WW is a good guy, team player and who has been the most productive receiver (receptions wise) in the NFL for the last few years. Something about all that just doesn't add up......

TheBostonStraggler said:

Obviously we will have to wait and see the results of the 2013 season and what happens in the offseason thereafter. However, I agree his agent does look terrible at first glance.
If WW does not have a year like the years he had with the Patriots (or at least semi so), the Broncos probably cut him. Then WW is looking at a market that is thinking 'you're past your prime and your highlights were a result of playing with TB/the Patriots'. There is too much of a chance for that to happen. WW is a good guy, team player and who has been the most productive receiver (receptions wise) in the NFL for the last few years. Something about all that just doesn't add up......

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I say we don't have to wait and see, because it's obvious Welker would have preferred the offer the Pats would have wound up giving him to the one he took. By "obvious" I mean that it's pretty clearly already Welker's opinion.

TheBostonStraggler said:

IF this is true -- obviously none of us can be absolutely sure at this point -- either WW's agent did a substandard job, WW disregarded the possibility and went with Denver's offer anyway or the market for WW was soft as silk. A 6 million cap savings after only one playing year? On a contract that is 8 million per year average??. Wow. There are just too many variables (too many of them completely out of WW's control) that could work against him. IMHO anything conspicuously less than production equal to his time with the Patriots and he is more likely to be cut than not (Denver's cap situation obviously is a big factor).
Again IF this is true, this is the best WW could do??? Only one year of certainty followed by being an attractive prospect for being cut? Again, wow...

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4 mil signing bonus
2 mil 2013 guaranteed salary

3 mil roster bonus next march
3 mil 2014 guaranteed salary

If cut before the roster bonus is due he receives 6 mil and the Broncos eat 2 mil in dead money from the bonus.

This was a major F'up by the Pats. Welker went to the broncos for 6 mil per year and he is definitely worth more than that TO US. He has a stellar record to prove it. The Pats should have paid more to retain the best receiver on the team because it is erroneous to value a player by how much they are worth to others. One should evaluate how much they are worth TO YOU. I am amazed they thought he wasn't worth it and the only things I can attribute that to is the Super Bowl drop and acrimony over last year's negotiations.

Observer said:

This was a major F'up by the Pats. Welker went to the broncos for 6 mil per year and he is definitely worth more than that TO US. He has a stellar record to prove it. The Pats should have paid more to retain the best receiver on the team because it is erroneous to value a player by how much they are worth to others. One should evaluate how much they are worth TO YOU. I am amazed they thought he wasn't worth it and the only things I can attribute that to is the Super Bowl drop and acrimony over last year's negotiations.

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Thank GOD you are her to finally explain exactly went down!! I wasn't really sure how the NFL should work, but now it becomes very clear. Your knowledge of the inner working of the Patriots proves very helpful.

Its nice to finally have someone explain why time and again the patriots have struggled, why they have left us with the last decade of piss poor football that we have been forced to suffer through. It becomes obvious, with your explanation, that BB's capricious nature leads him to randomly punish, then cut his star players to show who is truly in charge.

Furthermore, it lays wide open the Patriots idiotic way of paying players. I mean what morons would ever think of paying a player what he is worth in the open market..IDIOTS...they should pay them whatever it takes to keep them here regardless of what they are worth!!!!! Yes it all becomes so clear, once again.. Thank YOU FOR YOUR INCITE, KNOWLEDGE, and WISDOM!!!!

This goes beyond just what happened to WW, and to the core of how Kraft conducts business. Welker's agent went on the record with some jagged remarks about Kraft's character, and he has every right to defend himself. It's important, not for this negotiation, but all future negotiations, that people understand exactly what happened.

Elway did the same with the Fax ****-up, issuing a press release to absolve the team of any blame. He was proactive; maybe Kraft should have done that too after Welker signed with the Broncos. But he was calm and patient and professional throughout 2 years of negotiations, and as much as it must have bothered him to lose Wes, especially to the Broncos, he bit his lip.

It wasn't until Dunn started making some really pointed comments that Kraft had to reply. No, Kraft shouldn't take the "high" road here. He's been taking the high road for years on this. I'm glad he went on record and said what he did. It may set up some dicey negotiations with Solder and Vereen in the future, but Dunn will know not to play these silly games in the media with the organization.

convertedpatsfan said:

This goes beyond just what happened to WW, and to the core of how Kraft conducts business. Welker's agent went on the record with some jagged remarks about Kraft's character, and he has every right to defend himself. It's important, not for this negotiation, but all future negotiations, that people understand exactly what happened.

Elway did the same with the Fax ****-up, issuing a press release to absolve the team of any blame. He was proactive; maybe Kraft should have done that too after Welker signed with the Broncos. But he was calm and patient and professional throughout 2 years of negotiations, and as much as it must have bothered him to lose Wes, especially to the Broncos, he bit his lip.

It wasn't until Dunn started making some really pointed comments that Kraft had to reply. No, Kraft shouldn't take the "high" road here. He's been taking the high road for years on this. I'm glad he went on record and said what he did. It may set up some dicey negotiations with Solder and Vereen in the future, but Dunn will know not to play these silly games in the media with the organization.

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This is exactly right, Kraft has been so quite when it comes to what people think is going on behind the scenes, I don't think I could handle being so quiet for so long. If what Kraft said is true then I am happy he set the record straight with people who believe him.

But it really doesn't matter anymore, both sides just have to move on.




I also hope Kraft is doing alright, he didn't look so good in the interview and I know he's dealing with health issues but I hope he can stay healthy for a long time and get at least another championship

moosekill said:

Thank GOD you are her to finally explain exactly went down!! I wasn't really sure how the NFL should work, but now it becomes very clear. Your knowledge of the inner working of the Patriots proves very helpful.

Its nice to finally have someone explain why time and again the patriots have struggled, why they have left us with the last decade of piss poor football that we have been forced to suffer through. It becomes obvious, with your explanation, that BB's capricious nature leads him to randomly punish, then cut his star players to show who is truly in charge.

Furthermore, it lays wide open the Patriots idiotic way of paying players. I mean what morons would ever think of paying a player what he is worth in the open market..IDIOTS...they should pay them whatever it takes to keep them here regardless of what they are worth!!!!! Yes it all becomes so clear, once again.. Thank YOU FOR YOUR INCITE, KNOWLEDGE, and WISDOM!!!!

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Hope I didn't give you a heart attack. The word is insight, work on your reading and writing skills a bit; might help out in life.

mgcolby said:

4 mil signing bonus
2 mil 2013 guaranteed salary

3 mil roster bonus next march
3 mil 2014 guaranteed salary

If cut before the roster bonus is due he receives 6 mil and the Broncos eat 2 mil in dead money from the bonus.

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Interesting, if accurate. $9 million guaranteed is less than the Patriots offer.

mgcolby said:

4 mil signing bonus
2 mil 2013 guaranteed salary

3 mil roster bonus next march
3 mil 2014 guaranteed salary

If cut before the roster bonus is due he receives 6 mil and the Broncos eat 2 mil in dead money from the bonus.

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I read the details a bit differently. Is that 2014 salary guaranteed or only after March? I thought it wasn't fully-guaranteed but I could be wrong.

Observer said:

The word is insight, work on your reading and writing skills a bit; might help out in life.

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and you should probably work on your knowledge of football operations....
just sayin

Also, they did evaluate how much he was worth to them. It was just less than what you feel he was worth.

Originally Posted by Observer
The Pats should have paid more to retain the best receiver on the team because it is erroneous to value a player by how much they are worth to others. One should evaluate how much they are worth TO YOU.

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Something has bothered me for a few months now, and maybe someone can explain it to me. Why would someone be a fan of a team that they clearly hate? I'm sitting here reading all these negative comments about Kraft, and BB, and how they run the team, and it makes me wonder. Are these people only fans because they were born into a Pats family? Is it because they live in New England, and think they have to be a fan of the Pats? Is their life so full of crap they feel the need to complain about everything? Are they just stupid?

I just don't get it. If I was constantly annoyed by the decisions my team makes, I'd go find another team.

SPACEMAN said:

Kraft looms like a baby by saying "I dont answer to Tom Brady" well no **** dude, you're the owner, he's an employee. We all know who calls the shots man, there was simply no need to make the comment considering Tom never said anything regarding the situation. Moment of insecurity for Bob?

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Stop being a troll. Kraft made the comment in response to a direct comment by a reporter who asked if he talked to Tom about the negotiations. What would you have him say. Brady wan't offended by the comment, why are you?

Clearly the agent is in full spin-o-rama mode. He fired another salvo this morning on PFT. But really what would you expect. Their whole business is based on perception. Kraft can afford to take some hits, in their business they can't. They probably have a full department with nothing to do but make themselves look good. They HAVE to.

That being said, an interesting sidebar to all this is the number of prominent players that Dunn and his group represent that STILL play for the Pats. I recall seeing a list in some thread and it was considerable. I wonder about the fall out of all this with them.

BTW- when I was writing about how badly the agents botched this whole thing it occurred to me that how come Wes never got much commercial exposure. Why was Nadamakan Suh doing Subway commercial and Wes doing adult diapers. It would seem he would have been a great fit for something bigger. Just ANOTHER nice job by his agent.

nashvillepatsfan said:

Something has bothered me for a few months now, and maybe someone can explain it to me. Why would someone be a fan of a team that they clearly hate? I'm sitting here reading all these negative comments about Kraft, and BB, and how they run the team, and it makes me wonder. Are these people only fans because they were born into a Pats family? Is it because they live in New England, and think they have to be a fan of the Pats? Is their life so full of crap they feel the need to complain about everything? Are they just stupid?

I just don't get it. If I was constantly annoyed by the decisions my team makes, I'd go find another team.

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I think that they addicted to too much sports talk radio and are wanna be's.

I've never seen Bob Kraft come out like this before. That makes me believe in what he is saying versus Welkers agent. Agents are like political spin doctors, you can tell that they are lying when their mouths move.

Dont have the time to catch up properly so apologies if the idiots got sorted out by now. I have only read 3+ pgs (20/pg) and the morons seem to be the majority posters.

Just have to say: WAY TO GO BOB!!!
lay it on the line and tell it like it is.

I am unhappy WW is gone; but you cant blame this on Pats FO folks (or at least not to the extent folks are going all in one way or the other).

A couple of points:
RK is QUOTED and ON THE RECORD in a publicly broadcast media event. David DORKY Dunn specifically asked that his comments be NOT on the record, and not quoted but instead are some kind of snarky SENSE OF THE INTERVIEW . WTF is THAT??????

and that is the guy folks want to believe over RFingK (i.e. SAVIOR OF THE FRANCHISE).

2. RK specifically stated PATS offered an INCENTIVIZED deal that STARTED at 2 for 10. The Donkeys gave him a total incentive of $350 split over 2 years.
That is how RK says they offered him a better deal

3. Always got to remember that agents are in it for the most $ NOW. He got a bigger take from a guaranteed now contract. If WW gets an incentivized contract, Dunn has no guarantee he is even the agent still when WW meets the incentives.

(NOTE: I have no idea how retroactive buy-outs of agents or former-agent contract payments work - maybe is no loss involved, but still is not $ in the here-now).

4.I ditto the guy who said I wished RK had gotten this POed at camera-gate.

long overdue.

certainly Pat could have done this deal better; always room for improvement. But Dunn decided to play chicken. 80% of the blame has to lie with him and WW.

patfanken said:

Clearly the agent is in full spin-o-rama mode. He fired another salvo this morning on PFT. But really what would you expect. Their whole business is based on perception. Kraft can afford to take some hits, in their business they can't. They probably have a full department with nothing to do but make themselves look good. They HAVE to.

That being said, an interesting sidebar to all this is the number of prominent players that Dunn and his group represent that STILL play for the Pats. I recall seeing a list in some thread and it was considerable. I wonder about the fall out of all this with them.

BTW- when I was writing about how badly the agents botched this whole thing it occurred to me that how come Wes never got much commercial exposure. Why was Nadamakan Suh doing Subway commercial and Wes doing adult diapers. It would seem he would have been a great fit for something bigger. Just ANOTHER nice job by his agent.

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So the agent admits that they lied about there being "No offer was ever made... Period." To now it was a take it or leave it offer. And there are people that still contend that the agent didn't help screw this up?

At this point it is obvious that there are people just trolling this subject.