Welker can still be a fantastic asset on this team at the right price tag - that price tag is not the franchise number and it's not what he was shopping for last year. The guy is a still a terrific Patriot - he takes shots left and right, he finds space and he has great chemistry with TB. But it's clear there are major deficiencies - he's a tiny target with no wingspan and unreliable hands. I just don't know if he provides the kind of confidence that anyone would want in big spots anymore. He's a great supplement, he helps move the chains, but he's not what I'd consider a core player.
If anything, hopefully his dropsies in big spots 2 years running brings about a reality check. He had two drops in this game - the first wasn't necessarily as definite, but it was a ball that top WR's catch, without question. It's becoming all too regular of late, whereas I feel like 4-5 years ago, a drop was blue moon. The problem with WW is that he's not the type of guy that can go out and make spectacular catches to make up for drops. You have to put it in his breadbasket, which fortunately, TB has the accuracy to do. You look at the Ravens and they have two WR's that can essentially just go up and get a ball - WW provides none of that.