Are you supporting Wes or against him?

[MoLewisrocks]

i support the team. wes should sign the tag contract and run. hes no spring chicken anymore. and at his size he may not last as long as most wrs. if he holds out he will regret it. the pats dont back down period.

The hell they don't... Seymour got his. Mankins called them names and got his. Wilfork was on the verge of burning bridges after having his feet held to the fire, but he got his. Then of course there are situation like Jerod Belichick...I mean Mayo who didn't even get a shot at consistently outperforming his rookie deal before landing a top tier extension that is paying him franchise tag money. And that odd deal last season when we traded two late round picks for the opportunity to pay Ochocinco not only the $6M he was no longer worth on the remaining year of his Bungles deal but a two year extension for the already 33 year old fading diva. He must be Jerod's offensive twin BB lovechild.

 

[condon84]

Wes was wildly underpaid on his last contract. I can't see why any rational fan wouldn't be supporting Welker when it comes to this contract.

I love Wes and what he's done for the team, but the Pats shouldn't compensate him based on what he's done for us in the past rather what they think he can do for us in the future.

 

[jcdavey]

I love Wes and what he's done for the team, but the Pats shouldn't compensate him based on what he's done for us in the past rather what they think he can do for us in the future.

that's how it should be, for sure

 

[jlu52]

I support Welker, as this is his last best chance to earn the huge bucks. In reality, I think all pro athletes are overpaid, since I can almost fund a vacation for the price it costs to take my kids to one game these days. Fans get royally screwed, but that is an entirely different matter. Given the actual financial climate, Welker has outperformed his paycheck, and by a lot. He is using his only leverage, and I fully believe he will be there for training camp, no matter what happens. He lives to play, and I love to watch him. I hope the Patriots offer him 3 years at 25 - 28 million, with 2/3 guaranteed. IMHO, he will be viable for that long, at least.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

What you have done in the past is part of the projection of what you will do in the future. Barring injury, and that goes for every player regardless of age, Wes should be as good to go for another 3 years as Mayo or Mankins or Wilfork was. He's just turning 31 NEXT MONTH not 33 and he's already also proven not only his durability and consistency but his resiliance coming back they way his did from an ACL. Which is why this is such utter nonsense.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I support Welker 100%. From all reports the Patriots haven't come close to offering anywhere near what he's worth and if true they are acting like fools and Brady will pay a huge price for it if they don't get him in.

 

[Don_the_patfan]

Wes was wildly underpaid on his last contract. I can't see why any rational fan wouldn't be supporting Welker when it comes to this contract.

I have no issue with Welker not being there because he wants a new contract. I think he deserves a new contract. But where I and you differ is that you in that general statement make it sound like you would give him him a carte blanche and I would not. A 'rational' fan would have to know the terms of a deal to form an educated opinion on 'supporting' a player. An 'irrational' fan would give him carte blanche. A slip on your part I take it...

 

[Big-T]

I can't support anyone who holds out, in fact I lose all respect for anyone who does.

If he wants to sit at home and sulk over being paid 9.5m for the year on the franchise tag then he has a seriously overinflated sense of self worth. In fact, that 9.5m would be over paying for someone who at the end of the day is a slot receiver who dropped a catch he makes 9/10 in the Super Bowl.

At the very most I'd offer him 7m a year over 3-4 years (still 21-28m guaranteed, which is nothing to be sniffed at) and if he doesn't like that, inform him that he will be traded to some perennial 3-13 team and see how that works out for him....he should have a word with Branch before he starts messing with the Patriots over money.

 

[IllegalContact]

Life works exactly like that.

maybe in MLB, but look at that....LOL

 

[IllegalContact]

The hell they don't... Seymour got his. Mankins called them names and got his. Wilfork was on the verge of burning bridges after having his feet held to the fire, but he got his. Then of course there are situation like Jerod Belichick...I mean Mayo who didn't even get a shot at consistently outperforming his rookie deal before landing a top tier extension that is paying him franchise tag money. And that odd deal last season when we traded two late round picks for the opportunity to pay Ochocinco not only the $6M he was no longer worth on the remaining year of his Bungles deal but a two year extension for the already 33 year old fading diva. He must be Jerod's offensive twin BB lovechild.

2 of those 3 played on their franchise tag. I have no problem having welker do the same. I don't think it matters when welker shows up, he knows the scheme and knows the QB/coach....he does not need much practice or wear and tear.

Let him show up and play for the franchise tag. THAT is the smart-money move for the team just as it was in the past.

 

[Deus Irae]

I love Wes and what he's done for the team, but the Pats shouldn't compensate him based on what he's done for us in the past rather what they think he can do for us in the future.

What a player might possibly do in the future is, naturally, heavily influenced by, and largely based upon, what he's done in the past.

 

[Deus Irae]

I have no issue with Welker not being there because he wants a new contract. I think he deserves a new contract. But where I and you differ is that you in that general statement make it sound like you would give him him a carte blanche and I would not. A 'rational' fan would have to know the terms of a deal to form an educated opinion on 'supporting' a player. An 'irrational' fan would give him carte blanche. A slip on your part I take it...

No. Misinterpretation on your part.

 

[Deus Irae]

I can't support anyone who holds out, in fact I lose all respect for anyone who does.

1.) He's not holding out, since he's unsigned.

3.) I assume you've lost all respect for every team in the league, since they frequently use the avenues they have available to them in order to force players to take less money than they originally contracted for.

If he wants to sit at home and sulk over being paid 9.5m for the year on the franchise tag then he has a seriously overinflated sense of self worth. In fact, that 9.5m would be over paying for someone who at the end of the day is a slot receiver who dropped a catch he makes 9/10 in the Super Bowl.

The stupidity of this portion of your post really speaks for itself, on multiple levels.

At the very most I'd offer him 7m a year over 3-4 years (still 21-28m guaranteed, which is nothing to be sniffed at) and if he doesn't like that, inform him that he will be traded to some perennial 3-13 team and see how that works out for him....he should have a word with Branch before he starts messing with the Patriots over money.

How do you expect them to trade an unsigned player? Interestingly, though, this comment of yours is a perfect demonstration of why an unsigned player would want to hold off on signing in order to prevent exactly the sort of nonsense you're in favor of here.

 

[Rob0729]

First, why do we even have to choose sides on this one? Just because nothing is done now, it doesn't mean a deal won't be done before camp. Also, just because Welker is sitting out offseason events doesn't mean he will miss a single down this season.

Second, I think both sides have their valid positions. Welker is arguably the best slot WR of all time and been a faithful good soldier and wants to be paid. The Pats have to be concerned with giving Weker a long term deal because of his age and all the hits he gets playing the position he plays. I don't see anyone being right or wrong here.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

You do know at least half of that equation, a two year $16M deal was the only long term offer they have placed on the table. Negotiations have been stagnant for a year since. That offer was at the time btw about $3M more than he will make having played out the original contract combined with being tagged this season. Considering they have since entered three year $12-15M deals with guys his age or older at the position who had yet to take a snap in this offense - one of whom once he did produced nothing - I'd say he wants a fair deal given his consistent and often league leading production in this offense over the last 5 seasons. Until they offer him at least a three year deal with double digit guaranteed money, I'll take Wes side just like I did with Brady in 2005 and again in 2010. They ****ed with even him to an extent, they seem to have to with their best and most productive and durable and least problematic core guys, like it's a compulsion. I'm all for not coddling players but this organization takes that to ridiculous extremes in the oddest possible instances...as if they have to feign alienation to prove a point.

It's Kraft's $ not mine but why not give Wes a 3 year deal with the least salary in the 3rd year such that were he to deteriorate such that he'd be cut in 2014 the cap hit would be minimized though substantial, mostly amortized guaranteed money? Even though he's not a WR, :roll eyes: :roll eyes: tall or black, he vastly outperformed his pay on this team.

 

[IllegalContact]

First, why do we even have to choose sides on this one? Just because nothing is done now, it doesn't mean a deal won't be done before camp. Also, just because Welker is sitting out offseason events doesn't mean he will miss a single down this season.

Second, I think both sides have their valid positions. Welker is arguably the best slot WR of all time and been a faithful good soldier and wants to be paid. The Pats have to be concerned with giving Weker a long term deal because of his age and all the hits he gets playing the position he plays. I don't see anyone being right or wrong here.

it is business on both sides.

just as I've said since the end of the season, he will show up in mid/late august and be ready to play for the regular season. first, neither he nor the team needs the wear and tear he would be subjected to with an active off season that he does not need. 2nd, he doesn't get an extra dime for showing up before the start of the season.

let the man rest and show up under the tag the way most others have in the past.

 

[stcjones]

I love welk for what he has done for the Pats and the all around tough and dependable player that he has been for the Pats. I do NOT support him in the approach he is taking here on the contract situation and holding out.....and I have to think it is his agent telling him to do this of course. I agree with McGuinnest.....get your a## in there and participate in OTAs and meetings....you are being paid 9 mil plus either way.....plenty of time to work out contract stuff. I for one, do not see him here after next season. I do not see the Pats laying out the kind of money he appears to want for a 31 y/o situational WR with a history of a major knee injury that has taken some big shots and will continue to do so.....
I wish the best for the guy and hope he comes to his senses before too many Patsfans turn against him......

Wondering how many people are supporting Wes Welker during this time and how many people are against him. My lasting memory of him right now is the play in the superbowl and you'll have a hard time finding me feel sorry for someone who will make over $9 million next year. At the same time he has been a great player who probably deserved a little more in the past. I do feel like he's probably has the most value on the field for us. Where do you stand on this situation?

 

[randomk1]

First, why do we even have to choose sides on this one?

No...we must take sides!!! To hell with your logic and being sensible!

Red: Welker is a complete can that is a product of the system. Greedy bastard! We already have the next Welker on the roster.

Blue: BB & Kraft are cheap sons of *****es who drive talent away from NE.



Decide!

 

[IllegalContact]

you're not a holdout if you're not under contract.

it is very typical for someone who has the franchise tag to simply work out on his own until it is time to show up before the season starts. he does not get workout bonuses or reporting bonuses when under the tag....he gets nothing extra for showing up today versus august 25th. he would be an idiot to risk injury for any reason in this way. I am sure the team also realizes this

I love welk for what he has done for the Pats and the all around tough and dependable player that he has been for the Pats. I do NOT support him in the approach he is taking here on the contract situation and holding out.....and I have to think it is his agent telling him to do this of course. I agree with McGuinnest.....get your a## in there and participate in OTAs and meetings....you are being paid 9 mil plus either way.....plenty of time to work out contract stuff. I for one, do not see him here after next season. I do not see the Pats laying out the kind of money he appears to want for a 31 y/o situational WR with a history of a major knee injury that has taken some big shots and will continue to do so.....
I wish the best for the guy and hope he comes to his senses before too many Patsfans turn against him......

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

The hell they don't... Seymour got his. Mankins called them names and got his. Wilfork was on the verge of burning bridges after having his feet held to the fire, but he got his. Then of course there are situation like Jerod Belichick...I mean Mayo who didn't even get a shot at consistently outperforming his rookie deal before landing a top tier extension that is paying him franchise tag money. And that odd deal last season when we traded two late round picks for the opportunity to pay Ochocinco not only the $6M he was no longer worth on the remaining year of his Bungles deal but a two year extension for the already 33 year old fading diva. He must be Jerod's offensive twin BB lovechild.

Except for the fact that Seymour eventually got his.....way out of town.

Mo, ya might want to ask Moss how this pattern went.

This discussion is so pre-draft 2010 and all the hysteria over having no TE's on the roster.

The Patriots may or may not be moving on from Wes. We don't know.....only BB knows for sure.

Best to let it play out before emotions run high.

However, to start any point of view as somehow this origionates from a vacuum is absurd. "7-9 to 9-7"?