Welker reportedly has 'mild disdain for Pats right now' per Yahoo, 3/05

[borg]

" What's important to consider is Welker's somewhat mild disdain for the Patriots right now, according to a source close to the player. Welker apparently is a little miffed at how he was treated in last year's opener, when offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had him targeted for a season-low five pass attempts that resulted in a season-low three receptions.

That bit of tweaking stuck in Welker's craw all season. So did the notion that if tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski hadn't both gotten hurt at different times, there's a strong belief that Welker would have been limited to far fewer than the 118 receptions he finished with last season. In short, there's a little paranoia in the Welker camp these days about his role with the Pats. "

Y! SPORTS

 

[JackBauer]

I'm sure several million dollars with cure what ails him.

In all seriousness, while I don't have anything against what they were trying to do in concept, it sure sounds like perhaps some better communication would have been in order.

 

[DarrylS]

Always have had issues with hearsay information..

 

[patfanken]

" What's important to consider is Welker's somewhat mild disdain for the Patriots right now, according to a source close to the player. Welker apparently is a little miffed at how he was treated in last year's opener, when offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had him targeted for a season-low five pass attempts that resulted in a season-low three receptions.

That bit of tweaking stuck in Welker's craw all season. So did the notion that if tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski hadn't both gotten hurt at different times, there's a strong belief that Welker would have been limited to far fewer than the 118 receptions he finished with last season. In short, there's a little paranoia in the Welker camp these days about his role with the Pats. "

Y! SPORTS

First of all that's most likely "agent talk" being leaked to the mindless mediots who will print anything that smacks of controversy. In other words its "created news".

Think about it. If Welker is pissed about the prospect that Gronk and Hernandez could take away some of his looks, what does that say about what kind of selfish guy HE is. Does that sound like the Welker we've seen the last 6 years. No. He's been the epitome of the unselfish player. So clearly this "source" is full of it. The fact is if Gronk, Hernandez. and Edelman had all stayed healthy, there is no question that Welker would have had less production. So what? Doesn't make him less of a player.

If he's resigned, I fully expect Welker's production to go down if Gronk, Hernandez and Edelman are all more available. That won't mean he's less of a player or his value has decreased. Its not about individual numbers anyways. Its about how effective the offense as a whole is.

Statements like the one made that instigated the original OP are just dumb. They don't help the player. Really,if we came to feel that Welker was the kind of player who cared more about his individual stats than the success of the team, most of us would happily show him the door. Whatever "friend" leaked this gem didn't do him any favors. Just the mediots who like sharks, are always feeding on this kind of chum.

 

[Jimke]

" What's important to consider is Welker's somewhat mild disdain for the Patriots right now, according to a source close to the player. Welker apparently is a little miffed at how he was treated in last year's opener, when offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had him targeted for a season-low five pass attempts that resulted in a season-low three receptions.

That bit of tweaking stuck in Welker's craw all season. So did the notion that if tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski hadn't both gotten hurt at different times, there's a strong belief that Welker would have been limited to far fewer than the 118 receptions he finished with last season. In short, there's a little paranoia in the Welker camp these days about his role with the Pats. "

Y! SPORTS

As a season ticket holder, I was at that game. Welker was conspicuous
by his absence. You notice that they lost that game to a much inferior team.
It may have proved how important Welker is. I'm sure Belichick was trying
to prove otherwise.

 

[PatsDeb]

Well, wouldn't you have mild disdain for your employer who says to you, "Yeah, you're doing a great job, and we want to keep you, but you're asking for WAY too much money, so I guess we will let you walk..."

 

[Mack Herron]

As a season ticket holder, I was at that game. Welker was conspicuous
by his absence. You notice that they lost that game to a much inferior team.
It may have proved how important Welker is. I'm sure Belichick was trying
to prove otherwise.

You think BB was trying to degrade Welker's self-esteem instead of trying to win the game?

 

[JackBauer]

Well, wouldn't you have mild disdain for your employer who says to you, "Yeah, you're doing a great job, and we want to keep you, but you're asking for WAY too much money, so I guess we will let you walk..."

Well, then again, the article above this one on the ticker is called Momentum builds with Welker & Pats, so...

 

[Jimke]

You think BB was trying to degrade Welker's self-esteem instead of trying to win the game?

Belichick was out to prove he could win games without Wes Welker. I
believe, with the exception of Tom Brady, he feels that way about all his players.

 

[Rob0729]

All the local guys are hearing that a deal between the Pats and Welker is almost imminent (Curran, Bedard, and Reiss) yet a national guy like Cole is saying Welker is still mad at the Patriots. I don't know if I am buying this one.

 

[dales804]

Belichick was out to prove he could win games without Wes Welker. I
believe, with the exception of Tom Brady, he feels that way about all his players.

I think BB might take pride in being able to win games in different ways. I find it hard to believe they agreed to pay him $9.8mil to find ways to win without him.

And what game are you talking about they lost because Welker wasn't being targeted? They easily handled TEN in week 1 then Welker was targeted a total of 21 times (11 vs ARI, 10 vs BAL) the next two games that they lost.

 

[Uncle Rico]

All the local guys are hearing that a deal between the Pats and Welker is almost imminent (Curran, Bedard, and Reiss) yet a national guy like Cole is saying Welker is still mad at the Patriots. I don't know if I am buying this one.

Sounds to me like another growing disconnect. ...

I think it's natural that Welker's feelings might have been hurt; or his pride. But the money will almost literally talk: If the Pats offer a good amount, it says they value him and will use and pay him accordingly. If they lowball him, then the reverse is true.

 

[deters]

Well, wouldn't you have mild disdain for your employer who says to you, "Yeah, you're doing a great job, and we want to keep you, but you're asking for WAY too much money, so I guess we will let you walk..."

yea but i didn't just get paid $9 mill like welker.

guy needs to stop being a whiny ***** and just sign a 6-8 mill 3 or 4 yr deal. if actually cares about winning he will sign a cap friendly deal instead of jewing the pats. face it, the guy is a 32 yr old 5'9 white dude with little ups, drops key passes and has a prior injury to his knee. yea he's good but he is insane if he thinks he should get premier money, esp with those factors against him.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

calling BS on this one

 

[Don_the_patfan]

Come on boys this is a negotiating tactic. Make me feel wanted aka sweeten the deal a bit here maybe more guaranteed money etc etc. It's a negotiation.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Belichick was out to prove he could win games without Wes Welker. I
believe, with the exception of Tom Brady, he feels that way about all his players.

You couldn't convince me for a second that Belichick paid a player nearly $10 million for 1 year and then intentionally hurt the team and sat him just to try and prove some "point."

The idea of letting everyone know they're replaceable isn't about fear or intimidation, its about accountability and making sure that everyone knows they have to do their job.

Hard work pays off more than raw talent.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'd be surprised if Welker wasn't at least a little pissed.

I'd also be surprised if a good contract couldn't smooth over at least most of the hard feelings.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I think BB might take pride in being able to win games in different ways. I find it hard to believe they agreed to pay him $9.8mil to find ways to win without him.

And what game are you talking about they lost because Welker wasn't being targeted? They easily handled TEN in week 1 then Welker was targeted a total of 21 times (11 vs ARI, 10 vs BAL) the next two games that they lost.

Facts? You're coming strong with facts?

Careful, that will just confuse anyone trying to make such a absurdly silly argument, that BB was trying to make a point and thus he sacrificed winning a game to do so.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Wes is just the latest in a long line of really good players who have to jump through hoops to get a fair deal with the Patriots.
It's so tiresome and so unnecessary.
Let's see Belichick play hardball when he has a .500 team and no Brady. Players will laugh in his face as they line up to run for free agency.
Interesting that the Welker camp would put this out right now.
Not sure how to read this re: Patriot contract negotiations.

 

[ralmat55]

First of all that's most likely "agent talk" being leaked to the mindless mediots who will print anything that smacks of controversy. In other words its "created news".

David Dunn (Welker's sgent) says hello. He's Cole's source for this wonderful piece of sports journalism. Dunn's motivation is to spread enough manure around to continue looking good to his clients, would-be clients and fellow agents when Welker signs a new contract which will contain figures far south of Dwayne Bowe's. Both bits of info contained in the article are designed to show Welker made his decision not out any loyalty ("mild disdain") to the Patriots but his own best interests (earn more of less money rather than less of more money).

After reading this article, I'm more certain than ever that Welker will be back in the fold before free agency officially commences.