An Open Letter to Pats Management Re: Wes Welker's Contract Situation

[PatsDeb]

There has been stuff in the newspaper and speculation on the radio for the last couple of days regarding Wes Welker and his contract situation, or more specifically, the lack thereof. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes, but this is a request from one fan that the team deal fairly and realistically with Wes, and make sure that he remains a Patriot for his next contract. Not because he "deserves it" whether he is an aging WR or not (and believe me, he does deserve it), but because the Pats and Tom Brady really need him.

I ask those in charge to remember the disaster that was 2006 (and maybe 2005? Can't remember, LOL) when both of our starting WRs were let go over $$ (yes, I know Branch shot his way out of town, but it was over $$) and we wasted a year of Tom Brady in his prime and a good D on the likes of Reche Caldwell. I ask those in charge to remember who came in here in 2007 and from day 1 lit up the field (along with Moss). I ask those in charge to remember that when Wes went down with a knee injury in 2009 at the end of the season we were DONE. I ask those in charge how we were able to let Randy Moss go and not miss a beat because we had another great receiver who doesn't complain and give "me first" press conferences.

Welker is uniquely skilled to excel in our offense, and our offense is uniquely formed to take advantage of his skills. To let him go would be another "back to the drawing board" moment when I don't think No. 12 has too many of those moments left, if any. I'm not saying break the bank for Welker, but I beg of you, don't let this turn into a hold-out/franchise tag/squeeze every dime we can/if he leaves "oh well" contract situation. That would really hurt the team and frankly, sour me in a big way.

I would argue very strongly that Welker has been and is worth more to this team than Mayo. He got his, now give some love to Welker, and don't tell me it's just business.

Happy Holidays to all.

 

[ivanvamp]

There has been stuff in the newspaper and speculation on the radio for the last couple of days regarding Wes Welker and his contract situation, or more specifically, the lack thereof. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes, but this is a request from one fan that the team deal fairly and realistically with Wes, and make sure that he remains a Patriot for his next contract. Not because he "deserves it" whether he is an aging WR or not (and believe me, he does deserve it), but because the Pats and Tom Brady really need him.

I ask those in charge to remember the disaster that was 2006 (and maybe 2005? Can't remember, LOL) when both of our starting WRs were let go over $$ (yes, I know Branch shot his way out of town, but it was over $$) and we wasted a year of Tom Brady in his prime and a good D on the likes of Reche Caldwell. I ask those in charge to remember who came in here in 2007 and from day 1 lit up the field (along with Moss). I ask those in charge to remember that when Wes went down with a knee injury in 2009 at the end of the season we were DONE. I ask those in charge how we were able to let Randy Moss go and not miss a beat because we had another great receiver who doesn't complain and give "me first" press conferences.

Welker is uniquely skilled to excel in our offense, and our offense is uniquely formed to take advantage of his skills. To let him go would be another "back to the drawing board" moment when I don't think No. 12 has too many of those moments left, if any. I'm not saying break the bank for Welker, but I beg of you, don't let this turn into a hold-out/franchise tag/squeeze every dime we can/if he leaves "oh well" contract situation. That would really hurt the team and frankly, sour me in a big way.

I would argue very strongly that Welker has been and is worth more to this team than Mayo. He got his, now give some love to Welker, and don't tell me it's just business.

Happy Holidays to all.

I know the Pats didn't win the SB in 2006 and Caldwell had a huge drop against the Colts in the AFCCG. We all remember that. But the Pats scored 34 points and were up 21-3 at one point in that game. The defense (ranked by profootball-reference's dSRS as the #2 Pats' defense of all time) simply could not get off the field and stop Peyton Manning in the 2nd half. I know the Caldwell drop was big, but the defense imploded in that game. Pats had the game in the bag and blew it. Hard to blame all that on Caldwell (who, if he had made the catch, would have given the Pats 4 more points...only enough to tie; and given the way Indy was scoring, I would not have been comfortable going into OT in that game). That game was primarily on the defense.

And, yes, they would have pummeled the Bears in the SB that year, even with Caldwell as their #1 receiver.

 

[Ivan]

Agree with the sentiment completely and I believe Welker is integral to this team I just don't see him going anywhere even if it does get contentious at times. like Mankins he will be here long term when all is said and done. I think it will go to the tag but a deal will get done under it.

 

[PatsFan2]

Lets say the Pats are thinking about a Bigger Fish lets say a Vincent Jackson who is two years younger than Welker, Bigger and Faster. Julian Edelperson could replace Wes in the Slot *ducks out of the way*.:bricks: P.s. FA 2012 Great Year for WR's.

 

[Kid~Brady]

Lets say the Pats are thinking about a Bigger Fish lets say a Vincent Jackson who is two years younger than Welker, Bigger and Faster. Julian Edelperson could replace Wes in the Slot *ducks out of the way*.:bricks:

I'm sorry but no one, but no one could ever replace the likes of Wes Welker. Even those tall strong, young, big and fast receivers we boast on so much can't fathom his skill set.

Case closed.

 

[ivanvamp]

I'm sorry but no one, but no one could ever replace the likes of Wes Welker. Even those tall strong, young, big and fast receivers we boast on so much can't fathom his skill set.

Case closed.

I love Welker as much as anyone here, but I hope you're not arguing that you'd rather have Welker than, say, Calvin Johnson. (but from the tone of your previous post, I would bet that you would)

 

[NEP4Life]

I love Welker as much as anyone here, but I hope you're not arguing that you'd rather have Welker than, say, Calvin Johnson.

Patsfans.com is the internet home of the false dichotomy.

I can do it too.

I love Welker as much as anyone here, but I hope you're not arguing that you'd rather have Welker than, say, a night with your 5 favorite Victoria's Secret models.

That was fun.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I don't know what Wes wants for a contract. If it's top #1 WR $, then there will be a problem. But from his comments over the past couple of years when it comes to $, I don't think he will be asking for that.

It would be reasonable for him to want Chad $, average $6 mil on a 3 year contract, with nice up front bonus.

 

[PatsFan2]

I'm sorry but no one, but no one could ever replace the likes of Wes Welker. Even those tall strong, young, big and fast receivers we boast on so much can't fathom his skill set.

Case closed.

Think about Vincent Jackson and Gronk who are bouth 6'6 catching passes from Brady.:scared: Just think about the PI calls we would get with those Two alone...food for thought.

 

[ivanvamp]

Patsfans.com is the internet home of the false dichotomy.

I can do it too.



That was dumb.

Fixed it for you. I was responding directly to Kid~Brady's comment about "tall strong, young, big and fast receivers". So I gave him one of those "tall strong, young, big and fast receivers".

You reply by making a statement about Victoria's Secret models?

:bricks:

 

[NEP4Life]

Fixed it for you. I was responding directly to Kid~Brady's comment about "tall strong, young, big and fast receivers". So I gave him one of those "tall strong, young, big and fast receivers".

You reply by making a statement about Victoria's Secret models?

:bricks:

I think you're missing the bigger point.

Are you looking for an internet argument?

 

[ivanvamp]

I think you're missing the bigger point.

Are you looking for an internet argument?

The bigger point is that the Patriots should re-sign Welker. I agree with that sentiment. Meanwhile, Kid~Brady offered a silly point and I called him on it. Your response had absolutely nothing to do with that and just added noise.

And....sure, I'm up for an internet argument. What do you want to argue about? You pick the topic and tell me what side to argue and I'll do it.

 

[PatsDeb]

I know the Pats didn't win the SB in 2006 and Caldwell had a huge drop against the Colts in the AFCCG. We all remember that. But the Pats scored 34 points and were up 21-3 at one point in that game. The defense (ranked by profootball-reference's dSRS as the #2 Pats' defense of all time) simply could not get off the field and stop Peyton Manning in the 2nd half. I know the Caldwell drop was big, but the defense imploded in that game. Pats had the game in the bag and blew it. Hard to blame all that on Caldwell (who, if he had made the catch, would have given the Pats 4 more points...only enough to tie; and given the way Indy was scoring, I would not have been comfortable going into OT in that game). That game was primarily on the defense.

And, yes, they would have pummeled the Bears in the SB that year, even with Caldwell as their #1 receiver.

I just remember Brady being miserable that year, and that drop killed us. Wasn't that the year that the week before we just barely squeaked by the Chargers when Troy Brown stripped someone who had intercepted Brady on another throw to Caldwell? Have to admit my memory is fuzzy.

Are you saying they shouldn't make resiging Welker a priority?

 

[cmasspatsfan]

I know the Pats didn't win the SB in 2006 and Caldwell had a huge drop against the Colts in the AFCCG. We all remember that. But the Pats scored 34 points and were up 21-3 at one point in that game. The defense (ranked by profootball-reference's dSRS as the #2 Pats' defense of all time) simply could not get off the field and stop Peyton Manning in the 2nd half. I know the Caldwell drop was big, but the defense imploded in that game. Pats had the game in the bag and blew it. Hard to blame all that on Caldwell (who, if he had made the catch, would have given the Pats 4 more points...only enough to tie; and given the way Indy was scoring, I would not have been comfortable going into OT in that game). That game was primarily on the defense.

And, yes, they would have pummeled the Bears in the SB that year, even with Caldwell as their #1 receiver.

Half the team had the flu and had to fly out to the west coast the week before, it showed up in the second half as most of them had nothing left in the tank, The offense was good enoguh to win the Super Bowl although I support signing Wes Welker 100%.

 

[ivanvamp]

I just remember Brady being miserable that year, and that drop killed us. Wasn't that the year that the week before we just barely squeaked by the Chargers when Troy Brown stripped someone who had intercepted Brady on another throw to Caldwell? Have to admit my memory is fuzzy.

Are you saying they shouldn't make resiging Welker a priority?

Read my post just above yours for the answer to that question. (hint: my first two sentences in that post)

 

[patfanken]

Please. There is an article mimicing this post in the Herald today. Typical. Lets get prepared for all the media's hype about "paying" Wes Welker. Why should we be surprised that the media will now shill for another player. There hasn't been a single player in Boston sports history that the media didn't want to see "paid". They wanted Bledsoe "paid". They wanted the Rucci and Lane paid. Given their druthers, they would handed the keys to the Kraft vault to Logan Mankins in a nanosecond. And every OTHER player from Seymour to Law

Even PatsDeb in her original post doesn't want to "break the bank" but what exactly would constitute "breaking the bank". Don't forget when the Pats first signed him to his original contract, many thought they over paid (IIRC it was a 4 year contract for about $12-14MM)

Well now he's 4 years older and completely underpaid. A VERY rare example of a FA pick up who has exceeded the value of his FA contract. So the question remains what is about Welker's value to the Pats....at THIS point in his career. Plus one has to consider the value to Welker to STAY with the Pats beyond money.

I'd like to see a 4 year contract at about $8-9 million with half guaranteed front loaded so it would be easy to walk away from after 2 years. But then again how can you pay Welker only $8.5MM when the Jets are paying that idiot Santonio Holmes $10MM/yr. Maybe we could explain to Welker that Holmes gets more because he has the added duties of being a captain.

This is NOT an easy situation for the Pats. His size, age, and injury potential weigh against him. Yet his prodigous production THIS year without Randy Moss is a huge plus for him. He also has to weigh the effect of leaving the "nest". Branch went for the big bucks and wasted 4 years of his career for a few million more that he will never spend. And now 2 years into his 2nd stint with the Pats it is fair to wondere if Deion would have made the same or more dollars iover the last 6 years if he had simply stayed with the Patriots and signed the very lucritive offer they made. I'm pretty sure he'd have made more money over the last 2 years under that scenario to balance the lesser amount he would have made during the 4 years he spent in Seattle

I guarantee you he'd never have the same product if he goes to another team who's QB isn't named Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Aaron Rogers. Hopefully Welker understands its more than just the last dollar. There is real economic value to being viewed as a career Patriot in a market as large as the Pats

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I would expect a contract extension of no more than 3 years

Wes is a great receiver,but in 3 years he hits the mid 30s so.....

 

[ivanvamp]

I would expect a contract extension of no more than 3 years

Wes is a great receiver,but in 3 years he hits the mid 30s so.....

3 years for $22 ($9 mil guaranteed) or 4 years for $26 ($12 mil guaranteed). Let Welker make the choice.

If they go for the 3-year deal (which is what I'd prefer), it means he'd be done with it at age 33. That's old enough whereby you consider not re-signing him, but it's still young enough that he *could* be very productive for one or two more years, so Welker could still seek one more lucrative contract.

 

[Gwedd]

WWW will get his contract, and I would not be surprised one whit if, when the spring rolls around and things seem a bit sticky, that he gets the franchise tag.

Replacing WWW with, say, Calvin Johnson, is a difficult argument, because you are talking about two different skill sets. WWW has a stranglehold on the ideal slot receiver skills. He could be the example for anyone interested in the position. he also knows thisa system inside out. He CAN go deep, as witnessed in previous games, but his primary advantage is his ability to get open for TFB when we REALLY need someone to get that first down, or just to move the chains and disrupt the defense.

It would be nice to have another receiver like CJ or Vincent Jackson, but let's also see how #85 plays out the rest of this year. Ocho is locked up for 3 years so we have time for him to develop with Brady, and apparently TFB and Coach are also high on his abilities, otherwise he wouldn't be dressing for all our games.

But I expect that WWW will be here for the rest of his career, or at least as long as HE wants to be a Patriot.

V/R

 

[randomk1]

Wes will get his...i have no doubts about it.

And honestly...i'd lock him up for another 5 years. He's a hard worker,takes care of his body,i don't think his game will diminish that much. And if we get more talent outside i think that will go along way in helping him to keep moving the chains.