Hey, Welker Fans!

[Joker]

Welker could care less about me or any Patriot fan...he's about him, his money and his career.That's fine, it's his body he's running through a saw mill. I respect and understand what he did as a Patriot and I also remember two GIGANTIC plays he should have made that he did not make that kept the Patriots from their ultimate goal. I want the player that DOES make that catch when we get there...like a Troy Brown.

I get it that some fans just have this hero worship thing they can't get beyond, and that they think the Pats "did Wes wrong"...well, IMO, Wes Welker did US wrong and could care less about what we think. I don't wish him ill, I just don't care enough about this big bad Patriot boogeyman that what done him wrong garbage. He's where he wants to be...and he's a loser tonight...suck a dozen eggs Wes.

 

[brady199]

Sure did seem like BB was still in WW's head, and what a glorious thing it was! :singing:

 

[TomPatriot]

Welker had a pretty mediocre game. He was basically a checkdown at best for the whole game. And of course he had a bad drop.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Welker had a pretty mediocre game. He was basically a checkdown at best for the whole game. And of course he had a bad drop.

I know WW engenders a lot of good feeling among a fairly sizable slice on PatriotNation. And, undoubtedly, he was not only one of the most effective and important Patriots over his tenure here but he is arguably one of the best slot receivers of all time. With that said, I think mediocre is being too kind to Wes. His production was a non factor. And it isn't as if he swallowed up the Patriots best coverage allowing other guys to roam free. And he also dropped a pass right in his hands (right in his hands). Another pass PM did deliver it behind him as well as credit Collins who hit the ball quickly and perfectly to knock it out of WW hands -- but that was a critical! play and it was a catchable pass/did hit him in the hands. Whether WW, Gronk, DA, JE whoever, for the ultra critical moment of the game that has got! to be caught. Then add to it he did not wave off his coverage team quickly enough and that contributed to that game losing TO (are some actually saying WW has no fault on that play??).
Would I want WW back? Absolutely. Is he coming back? Absolutely not. Is DA showing modest equivalence to WW? Not even close (((DA has a few flashes of WW equivalence, but equivalence over the small sample so far provided? not even close at all))). As clearly and strongly valuable as WW is, list another moment that him making a play would make a huge difference in a very big game and he didn't. Lastly, do I care for WW or for him to be all swell and shining in his new digs with PM/Denver? Not by a friggin country mile. I hope he drops his next 50 passes thrown to him setting a new NFL record, Denver misses the playoffs in great embrassment, all the while DA catches all 50 passes to go his way and makes everyone think WW was in fact totally unneeded as of week 1 2013. Anyone who spends time on this board and doesn't agree with that? No offense, I just don't get your Patriot fandom programming......

 

[stcjones]

Very fair post here Joker....well said

Welker could care less about me or any Patriot fan...he's about him, his money and his career.That's fine, it's his body he's running through a saw mill. I respect and understand what he did as a Patriot and I also remember two GIGANTIC plays he should have made that he did not make that kept the Patriots from their ultimate goal. I want the player that DOES make that catch when we get there...like a Troy Brown.

I get it that some fans just have this hero worship thing they can't get beyond, and that they think the Pats "did Wes wrong"...well, IMO, Wes Welker did US wrong and could care less about what we think. I don't wish him ill, I just don't care enough about this big bad Patriot boogeyman that what done him wrong garbage. He's where he wants to be...and he's a loser tonight...suck a dozen eggs Wes.

 

[Fixit]

I'm sure Andy will get back to you just as soon as he's done deleting a 3500 word post about why Julian Edelman is a mediocre receiver at best.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I like Welker very much too. I wish him the best. I am pretty much just saying it tongue in cheek in an attempt to be humorous.

I don't like Welker very much (when he is playing football). I don't wish him the best (when he is playing football). I am pretty much saying that tongue in teeth (I just ate some Peanut Brittle and I'm trying to dislodge it from my dental work while I wish WW a lousy season on the field).

But no reason to over do it, it is the holiday season, it should be a joyous time to all. So for WW, I hope he and his family have a great, healthy, happy holiday season together....and I hope that excellent family time helps soothe the embarrassing friggin fumbles, dropped passes and penalties he causes, that I want him and the rest of his Donkeys to do from now thru the end of the entire 2013 season.
Merrrrrrrrry Christmas WW!

 

[shmessy]

I know WW engenders a lot of good feeling among a fairly sizable slice on PatriotNation. And, undoubtedly, he was not only one of the most effective and important Patriots over his tenure here but he is arguably one of the best slot receivers of all time. With that said, I think mediocre is being too kind to Wes. His production was a non factor. And it isn't as if he swallowed up the Patriots best coverage allowing other guys to roam free. And he also dropped a pass right in his hands (right in his hands). Another pass PM did deliver it behind him as well as credit Collins who hit the ball quickly and perfectly to knock it out of WW hands -- but that was a critical! play and it was a catchable pass/did hit him in the hands. Whether WW, Gronk, DA, JE whoever, for the ultra critical moment of the game that has got! to be caught. Then add to it he did not wave off his coverage team quickly enough and that contributed to that game losing TO (are some actually saying WW has no fault on that play??).
Would I want WW back? Absolutely. Is he coming back? Absolutely not. Is DA showing modest equivalence to WW? Not even close (((DA has a few flashes of WW equivalence, but equivalence over the small sample so far provided? not even close at all))). As clearly and strongly valuable as WW is, list another moment that him making a play would make a huge difference in a very big game and he didn't. Lastly, do I care for WW or for him to be all swell and shining in his new digs with PM/Denver? Not by a friggin country mile. I hope he drops his next 50 passes thrown to him setting a new NFL record, Denver misses the playoffs in great embrassment, all the while DA catches all 50 passes to go his way and makes everyone think WW was in fact totally unneeded as of week 1 2013. Anyone who spends time on this board and doesn't agree with that? No offense, I just don't get your Patriot fandom programming......

Yup!

Although, I think you repeat something that a lot of folks (including myself early on) have mistakenly assumed. Amendola really is NOT the replacement for Welker. He seems more the replacement for Lloyd. Any comparisons really should be Welker to Edelman - - they both play slot and they both PR. Edelman is the better PR and Welker is the better slot WR (at this time). Edelman (at this time) allows much more cap flexibility. He'll be more expensive next year than he is now, but probably still won't be as expensive as Welker (unless that Denver deal for Welker really turns into a one year deal.)

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I'm sure Andy will get back to you just as soon as he's done deleting a 3500 word post about why Julian Edelman is a mediocre receiver at best.

To be fair to AJ, there wasn't exactly an army of posters high on JE. AJ and a 1000 others were low-ish on JE except for his return skills.

Fyi, I'm not sticking up for AJ (he is a capable poster who doesn't need my assistance). I'm just saying there will be JE humble pie being served at 1000 PatsFan member's Thanksgiving tables this year. Fortunately I was in the minority and can look forward to pumpkin and blueberry

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Yup!

Although, I think you repeat something that a lot of folks (including myself early on) have mistakenly assumed. Amendola really is NOT the replacement for Welker. He seems more the replacement for Lloyd. Any comparisons really should be Welker to Edelman - - they both play slot and they both PR. Edelman is the better PR and Welker is the better slot WR (at this time). Edelman (at this time) allows much more cap flexibility. He'll be more expensive next year than he is now, but probably still won't be as expensive as Welker (unless that Denver deal for Welker really turns into a one year deal.)

Fair enough though, maybe, it is fair to consider DA's signing as an attempt by BB to replicate WW's pass/yard production (even though they don't play quite the same positions)?

For JE, his agent is definitely hearing cha-ching. JE is not only being a productive WR but he is putting to rest the 'can't stay healthy' label (hope I don't jinx him by saying that). JE has worked his way toward what might be a 2.5-3 million a year salary (probably with good chunk of up front/guaranteed money). I don't think it will be any more than that because buyers will consider he is coming from the Patriots/still has injury concerns/they'll consider he is a result of TFB/that he has a better chance than average to not translate his production to another team (just my two cents worth of pure guesswork).

I hope JE stays. I had hoped/and was glad he stayed last year. Fortunately I think he likes it here and this will be his first choice if he doesn't give up too much money. But if he is looking for his best payday then he is playing his last game as a Patriot (IMHO).

 

[vyrago]

Just what is wrong about this?

"...his Achilles Heel has been getting the "yips" in the clutch. He has a history of shrinking under pressure in the fourth quarter of big games."

We've all seen it and felt it. I loved WW while he was here, but I'm realistic about his failings and the yips under pressure is the most painful one.

Shmessy isn't trolling, he is simply stating facts.

 

[Fixit]

To be fair to AJ, there wasn't exactly an army of posters high on JE. AJ and a 1000 others were low-ish on JE except for his return skills.

Fyi, I'm not sticking up for AJ (he is a capable poster who doesn't need my assistance). I'm just saying there will be JE humble pie being served at 1000 PatsFan member's Thanksgiving tables this year. Fortunately I was in the minority and can look forward to pumpkin and blueberry

True, but Andy went out of his way to delegitimize Edelman's production, saying that he was only good for three-yard routes and other such madness.

Here's a fun game for the remaining doubters: do a side-by-side comparison of JE and WW this year. Receptions, yards, and ypc are just about even.

 

[Nikolai]

Yep, and give Arrington credit too.

Put me in among the chorus of people who saw Welker's fourth quarter and OT performance as something familiar. I loved him while he was here, but his limitations were evident toward the end. He's as tough as they come, but mentally, he loses that edge in the clutch.

As for the OT play, Welker should have caught that. It wouldn't have been a first down, but I think most receivers make that catch and hang on.

Oh well...Welker takes the long flight home with Forehead, while Edelman drives 10 minutes home, props his feet up, and sleeps well.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

Rookie linebacker covering your boyfriend Wes on third down one on one. Shut down. Game over. How you like those particular apples?

Forget AJ

Has anyone looked in on Molewisrocks lately?

He might still be curled up in the fetal position clutching his orange 83 jersey.

 

[Nikolai]

Forget AJ

Has anyone looked in on Molewisrocks lately?

He might still be curled up in the fetal position clutching his orange 83 jersey.

I kinda hope that's the case actually. I've heard some not-so-great thoughts on his whereabouts...he's been MIA since March

 

[smg93]

Just read this whole thread and I do agree there is a troll here but his name isn't Shmessy.

 

[condon84]

Welker could care less about me or any Patriot fan...he's about him, his money and his career.That's fine, it's his body he's running through a saw mill. I respect and understand what he did as a Patriot and I also remember two GIGANTIC plays he should have made that he did not make that kept the Patriots from their ultimate goal. I want the player that DOES make that catch when we get there...like a Troy Brown.

I get it that some fans just have this hero worship thing they can't get beyond, and that they think the Pats "did Wes wrong"...well, IMO, Wes Welker did US wrong and could care less about what we think. I don't wish him ill, I just don't care enough about this big bad Patriot boogeyman that what done him wrong garbage. He's where he wants to be...and he's a loser tonight...suck a dozen eggs Wes.

 

[supafly]

Forget AJ

Has anyone looked in on Molewisrocks lately?

He might still be curled up in the fetal position clutching his orange 83 jersey.

I kinda hope that's the case actually. I've heard some not-so-great thoughts on his whereabouts...he's been MIA since March

Yes, MLR has been missing for quite some time now and the rumors that have surfaced are not at all positive. We all wish him and his family the best.

 

[supafly]

Yep, and give Arrington credit too.

Arrington did a very good job on Welker last night. We've seen that kind of shutdown slot coverage before though, particularly in the last SB loss to the NYG where he helped to hold Victor Cruz to a 4 catch 24 yard performance.

As we all know, he is much, much better suited to cover a shorter area of the field; but I also think that he's improved on the outside in some ways as well. He's be no means "good" on the outside, but he has had some progress there and can at least be considered "fair" or acceptable at times.

Every now and then we see him really step up and plays his ass off though, and I do like what he brings to the team--just as long as it's not as a CB2 for long stretches of a time.

 

[supafly]

To be fair to AJ, there wasn't exactly an army of posters high on JE. AJ and a 1000 others were low-ish on JE except for his return skills.

Fyi, I'm not sticking up for AJ (he is a capable poster who doesn't need my assistance). I'm just saying there will be JE humble pie being served at 1000 PatsFan member's Thanksgiving tables this year. Fortunately I was in the minority and can look forward to pumpkin and blueberry

To be fair though, Edelman's actual skills at the position of receiver were far from being considered "good," and he is still currently working on his progress in that area. As we've seen several times or more this year, he has made some bad mistakes too in terms of not reading the defense properly and running the wrong route. Coming into this year he had posted receiving numbers of 37, 7, 4, and 21---and he had been injured pretty significantly. In terms of being considered "good" as an actual receiver, he hadn't shown too much prior to this season aside from flashes here and there, and even that was mainly in the slot role.

The great news is that Belichick, JMcD, and Chad O'Shea have continued to give him the proper time to try and develop and progress in that role, and I think that we've seen some significant development in that area and will continue to in the future if he stays here. I honestly believe that if he stays for another 2-3 yrs, he can have the potential to see a bigger deal of 5-6 million AAV if he continues to polish his skills as more of an actual receiver.

He's got great moves, is one of the most shiftiest players in the entire league, has a ton of heart and guts, and his special teams play is on par with some of the best in the entire NFL. I hope that they pay a little extra on his next pact to keep him here and allow him to continue to develop in polishing his skills in the transformation from a college QB. He is very talented for sure.

JE has worked his way toward what might be a 2.5-3 million a year salary

I find your guesstimate to be directly in line with my own. I think that a nice raise from 700k to 2.5/3 million AAV is in order, and I hope he stays and continues to develop for the next couple/few years here as our WR3-4 (which could allow him to climb up that ladder even more in the next year or two).

Just his ST presence, versatility, and raw talent alone are likely worth double his 700k salary. The concern will be whether he's looking for a bigger payday or how much Belichick will come up a bit on what he sees his value at to at least make things "reasonable" enough to keep him. As we know, Belichick coming up in his value doesn't happen very often, but I'm hoping that he is pleased with Edelman's progress and that he sees a future with him here.