Wes Welker Contract Talk

[Snake Eyes]

Who are these other options? Those clamoring for Chad Johnson are way off base because NE isn't going to sign a receiver to a big contract when they won't even have the benefit of an offseason for him to learn the system.

I suppose Moss could come back, but I don't see that because - aside from all the other writing on the wall - that goes against the running/TE offense NE is developing.

You could be proposing that Edelman, Tate or Price will overtake Wes, but those seem like longshots.

So who are these other options that could come in and be the new #1 option at WR?

Who says Johnson will demand a big contract? The guy was willing to risk his health to ride a damn bull, he might very well be up for signing a back loaded deal based on production.

 

[Oswlek]

Who says Johnson will demand a big contract? The guy was willing to risk his health to ride a damn bull, he might very well be up for signing a back loaded deal based on production.

I had a feeling you'd go there.

Even if he doesn't sign for big money (which I doubt, but hey) how is he going to put the most reliable receiver on the bench without the benefit of an offseason?

 

[Snake Eyes]

I had a feeling you'd go there.

Even if he doesn't sign for big money (which I doubt, but hey) how is he going to put the most reliable receiver on the bench without the benefit of an offseason?

I guess that all depends on just how soon it takes to get a deal done, it's looking less likely by the day.

 

[Oswlek]

I guess that all depends on just how soon it takes to get a deal done, it's looking less likely by the day.

Agreed, but I want no part of Johnson even if the CBA is signed tomorrow. There are red flags all over the place about him and Cincy's system doesn't have the same level of WR reading as NE's does. Being fast and strong isn't as important as being in the right place at the right time.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Who says Johnson will demand a big contract? The guy was willing to risk his health to ride a damn bull, he might very well be up for signing a back loaded deal based on production.

You can't backload a deal unless it's a multi year deal... So I assume you mean an incentivized deal, and giving a one year one of those to a 33 year old thin skinned ego centric performer in a sight adjusted precision and timing based offense with multiple well established options is just a recipe for post game presser disaster.

 

[TheSolderKing]

I love the guy, but it's not good business to sign a WR who is 30 years old or older to a big contract. Not to mention, we already have a guy who can play the same role.

If we're gonna sign a WR to a big contract, go after a home run hitter like Santonio.

spot on about 95% of it



I do not forsee Bill offering a HUGE deal to a top WR. It will not happen.

I wonder what Welker thinks he is worth?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Wes is a pretty humble, grounded guy who gets that football is a team game and despite your best efforts success is largely opportunity driven. He had to claw just to get his opportunity to succeed because the first two teams who even gave him a shot at earning one didn't value him highly enough to make any effort to retain him. Miami wasn't sure what to make of him and wasn't built to make much of him anyway. Whereas this team valued him sufficiently it traded a 2nd plus for him and signed him to a contract that included more than $10M in the first two seasons of a 5 year $18M deal many fans and mediots promounced a foolish overpay at the time. In probing Curren's baloney fueled speculation, PFT dug out this actual Welker quote on his contract concerns from January...

In Welker’s opinion, he didn’t show enough to get a contract extension with only one year left on his deal. (Even though Welker has been one of the most underpaid players in football the last four years.)

”I think everybody wants a new deal, but I wouldn’t say anything I did this past year would warrant one or anything like that,” Welker told the Boston Herald.

Based on this PFT concluded that it's at least as likely Wes takes the Tedy Bruschi approach to his football career in NE (albeit while retaining his groaning agent) as it is he lands in a mud wrestling match with this FO.

Whenever the topic of Wes' value comes up I recall how after they traded for Randy a few weeks later NEM predicted Welker would be summarily cut and not make the 2007 opening day roster...proving what a stupid mistake trading for him was. NEM really hated short guys...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

proving what a stupid mistake trading for him was.

The Welker trade proved that not drafting him in 2004 was a mistake (after all, it's not like he set NCAA records at Texas Tech or anything). . . . Granted, every team in the league made that mistake.

 

[Snake Eyes]

You can't backload a deal unless it's a multi year deal... So I assume you mean an incentivized deal, and giving a one year one of those to a 33 year old thin skinned ego centric performer in a sight adjusted precision and timing based offense with multiple well established options is just a recipe for post game presser disaster.

I think you don't quite give Johnson enough credit as a player, he'd have rough spots but I think he'd take direction from BB just fine, and I think they would both have realistic expectations.

OchoCinco is a bit of a marketing gimmick, IMO, one which he gave up. The guy has a top-notch work-ethic and I dont have any doubt he would get right in line under BB and do what he was told.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think you don't quite give Johnson enough credit as a player, he'd have rough spots but I think he'd take direction from BB just fine, and I think they would both have realistic expectations.

OchoCinco is a bit of a marketing gimmick, IMO, one which he gave up. The guy has a top-notch work-ethic and I dont have any doubt he would get right in line under BB and do what he was told.

Well, I do. Once upon a time Carson Palmer was the QB Felger would choose to build a team around and Marvin Lewis was COTY. Even then Chad wouldn't listen or tone it down or take responsibility for his actions or performances... There is an old saying, if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem. That applies to he and his QB. Bill doesn't need those kind of players on his roster. They seldom ever change, although they can pay lip service to being team players. That's because they don't really grasp what that entails. Sometimes you can dance around them depending on your team makeup and their skill level. This team is still transitioning from the veteran driven leadership heavy unit that went to 4 superbowls in 7 seasons. And Chad's skill level is waning, as most WR does, as he enters his mid 30's.

I like Chad as a personality. Just not as a player on my team. I'm thinking Bill feels the same way... If he couldn't tolerate Welker's veiled humor he's not going to be able to play Ocho at all... Chad can't help himself. He is what he is...and it's always going to be a package deal. The risk reward simply isn't there. And the risk isn't financial, it's in the value of reps let alone in a season where they will be at a premium wasted on a guy with one foot out the door who has zero long range and minimal short term potential upside. Brady has enough weapons. All they have to do is execute.

 

[FoxWhiskey]

I love WES WELKER, absolutely! Short after Seabass(german player).
So, i have to say: PAY THIS MAN!! He deserve every cent. Edelman play in the same spot, but not in the same league!
Cut Kaczur(and/or Light) and the Pats have the money.

 

[Observer]

I love WES WELKER, absolutely! Short after Seabass(german player).
So, i have to say: PAY THIS MAN!! He deserve every cent. Edelman play in the same spot, but not in the same league!
Cut Kaczur(and/or Light) and the Pats have the money.

:agree: Don't care if they pay, beg, plead, whatever.... that I leave to the organization. All I know is he is one of the best players on the team and I am a fan. I will be unhappy if he leaves and I will be pissed if he leaves unhappy.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Can't talk contract until the lockout is over. So all this 'talk' is premature.

Once business resumes I think it would behoove the Pats to approach Welker about an extension. You wait a year, and the price tag goes up. That's happened a lot in the past. Asante's pricetag went astronomical, same with Mankins after the market was set. A year early on extensions is better than waiting till free agency cos other teams will definitely overpay.

I'd say a realistic extension would be 4 years in the 5-6m per year contract with a nice bonus. For a slot receiver I think that's good money and a 2-3x raise over what Welker has been making before. Will it be enough for Wes? I don't know but he should talk to Branch before he leaves for greener pastures. Sometimes you don't actually 'earn' that much more than staying with the home team for a reasonable price.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Interesting comments from WW today on the whole "wish there was a lockout every year" stuff:

"I said that as a joke, and even in the article it was a joke -- they said 'he said it jokingly' -- and yet they use it in the court of law. You all hear me on here, I joke around quite a bit. It was a little bit disappointing. If I really didn't want to play football, I probably would have gone on PUP last year. I probably would have gone on IR. I worked my tail off so I could play football. That was all a joke. It's kind of discouraging they would actually use that in the court of law, and you have to see it everywhere and things like that. Shoot, I guess the gloves are off [laughing], and they're going after everything. You have to really watch what you say, whether you say you're joking or not."

Wes Welker soundbites from WAAF - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Gotta agree with him being surprised that the comments were used in court that way. Like he says, gloves are off. We'll see when contract talk time comes whether it was just gamesmanship by owners in general or something else.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Interesting comments from WW today on the whole "wish there was a lockout every year" stuff:



Wes Welker soundbites from WAAF - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Gotta agree with him being surprised that the comments were used in court that way. Like he says, gloves are off. We'll see when contract talk time comes whether it was just gamesmanship by owners in general or something else.

Anyone who took that comment at face value—when Wes Welker is the source—is, well, an idiot.

 

[dhamz]

OchoCinco is a bit of a marketing gimmick, IMO, one which he gave up. The guy has a top-notch work-ethic and I dont have any doubt he would get right in line under BB and do what he was told.

When did he give up the marketing gimmick? After he rode the bull last weekend?

If this is in reference to the changing his name back to Johnson, which is often sighted on this board, that never happenned and per Chad isn't going to.

“Why would I mess up the brand?” Ochocinco said. “I can’t mess up the brand. I have so much going on. . . . I [said] that to piss off the people at ESPN.”

It’s official: Chad will remain Ochocinco | ProFootballTalk

Who says Johnson will demand a big contract? The guy was willing to risk his health to ride a damn bull, he might very well be up for signing a back loaded deal based on production.

No one knows the answer to this. It is all speculation. That said, one of the main sources fueling the Chad to NE speculation thinks the decision of where Ochocinco goes is going to be about $.

We have a thread over 100 posts fueled in large part by something Adam Schefter wrote. Or more accurately, a portion of what Schefter wrote.

"The Patriots could use another weapon like Ochocinco, and they have a history of doing deals with Ochocinco's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. So all the factors are there, and all the signs point to New England potentially exploring the possibility. But in the end, these things usually come down to money. The Patriots are always careful about how they spend money. If a team such as the Washington Redskins or Chicago Bears is willing to pay Ochocinco more, chances are that's where he will end up."

 

[Triumph]

Yes, because we have all that data of a healthy Welker sans Moss to base our conclusions on.

Welker dropped alot of catchable balls last season because his concentration wasnt the same post knee injury. Like Brady was bothered in 2009. His knee brace was also bothersome which is to be expected.

My money is on a 2011 Welker returning closer to pre injury form.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Interesting comments from WW today on the whole "wish there was a lockout every year" stuff:



Wes Welker soundbites from WAAF - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Gotta agree with him being surprised that the comments were used in court that way. Like he says, gloves are off. We'll see when contract talk time comes whether it was just gamesmanship by owners in general or something else.

I thought these comments were a lot more pertinent to this thread...

On his feelings on a new contract before the season, entering the final year of his pact: "It all depends. I'm good either way. For me, it's just going out there and playing good ball. If it's before or after, I don't care. I'm going to go out there and play some good ball, and let everything take care of itself."

On if he likes it here: "Oh yeah. Are you kidding me? That's the thing, I'm able to compare it to when I was 4-12. Winning can go a long ways in happiness. I know the Patriots are very committed to that. Hopefully we're able to move along and win some games in the future."

 

[JMarr]

I thought these comments were a lot more pertinent to this thread...

I've always thought that Welker was meant to be Patriot, embodies the Patriot Way--any cliche you want to use.

I'm hoping he grabs a decent 3-4 year contract and retires a Patriot. I think he will.

 

[Snake Eyes]

When did he give up the marketing gimmick? After he rode the bull last weekend?

If this is in reference to the changing his name back to Johnson, which is often sighted on this board, that never happenned and per Chad isn't going to.

“Why would I mess up the brand?” Ochocinco said. “I can’t mess up the brand. I have so much going on. . . . I [said] that to piss off the people at ESPN.”

It’s official: Chad will remain Ochocinco | ProFootballTalk




No one knows the answer to this. It is all speculation. That said, one of the main sources fueling the Chad to NE speculation thinks the decision of where Ochocinco goes is going to be about $.

We have a thread over 100 posts fueled in large part by something Adam Schefter wrote. Or more accurately, a portion of what Schefter wrote.

"The Patriots could use another weapon like Ochocinco, and they have a history of doing deals with Ochocinco's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. So all the factors are there, and all the signs point to New England potentially exploring the possibility. But in the end, these things usually come down to money. The Patriots are always careful about how they spend money. If a team such as the Washington Redskins or Chicago Bears is willing to pay Ochocinco more, chances are that's where he will end up."

I didnt know he went back on the name bit, that's rather disappointing, I was hoping he'd turned over a new leaf. That said I'm forced to agree with you, I don't want him on my team if he's not willing to ditch "OchoCinco" and I hope BB is of the same opinion.