Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on Welker

[West Philly Patriot]

I think something that we aren't discussing is, that it's likely Welker is tagged. If that happens, how do you think people in the Welker camp will feel about that happening? I would think he would be incredibly disappointed given his Age which will affect the years on his next deal. In light of the production he has given the pats for a very patriot friendly price I think it would be a perceived diss to Wes if they allowed him to play out the year on the tag. I imagine that would effect any long term deal taking place in the future. The guy has never complained(by all accounts) or held out like a lot of guys would have with his numbers.

 

[Boomer B]

I think something that we aren't discussing is, that it's likely Welker is tagged. If that happens, how do you think people in the Welker camp will feel about that happening? I would think he would be incredibly disappointed given his Age which will affect the years on his next deal. In light of the production he has given the pats for a very patriot friendly price I think it would be a perceived diss to Wes if they allowed him to play out the year on the tag. I imagine that would effect any long term deal taking place in the future. The guy has never complained(by all accounts) or held out like a lot of guys would have with his numbers.

If Wes doesn't sign a long term deal this year, it's not likely the team would want to do so next year.

Both camps have bargaining chips to play. Wes's camp can point to his production and the Pats camp can point to his age. Let's hope they meet somewhere in the middle.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think something that we aren't discussing is, that it's likely Welker is tagged. If that happens, how do you think people in the Welker camp will feel about that happening? I would think he would be incredibly disappointed given his Age which will affect the years on his next deal. In light of the production he has given the pats for a very patriot friendly price I think it would be a perceived diss to Wes if they allowed him to play out the year on the tag. I imagine that would effect any long term deal taking place in the future. The guy has never complained(by all accounts) or held out like a lot of guys would have with his numbers.

When he does get tagged they will still have until July 16th to work out a long term deal. During that time both sides can continue to assess the market and negotiate. I think Wes and his camp and his fans would be disappointed if they can't find common ground, but at the end of the day most folks (with a few exceptions among the fan base) get that it's not just a game, it's a business and it is what it is. If Wes is seriously asking for Megatron or Fitz type money at 31, I'd be disappointed in him. If the team is lowballing him like some posters here offering him way below top ten money, I'd be disappointed in them and convinced they are making a mistake they have made before and forced Brady to suffer the consequences of.

 

[Ric_Flair]

I cannot think of one rational reason to not lock up Wes Welker.

I can. He'll be 31 this year, and he wants 14-15 million per year.

No way you lock up that kind of cash to one player not named Brady to a big contract. 9.5 million a year is too much imo.

I love Wes...but when signing him strangleholds other possible moves for the team for years to come, I don't like it. We haven't won a Super Bowl in two attempts with Wes...love him...but he tends to disappear at very important times. Good during the regular season, but the regular season doesn't win championships.

 

[Ring 6]

I think something that we aren't discussing is, that it's likely Welker is tagged. If that happens, how do you think people in the Welker camp will feel about that happening? I would think he would be incredibly disappointed given his Age which will affect the years on his next deal. In light of the production he has given the pats for a very patriot friendly price I think it would be a perceived diss to Wes if they allowed him to play out the year on the tag. I imagine that would effect any long term deal taking place in the future. The guy has never complained(by all accounts) or held out like a lot of guys would have with his numbers.

I'm not sure how protecting their rights with the tag is 'dissing' him.
The tag is not an impediment to negotiating a new contract. I could see bad blood if it was a case of tagging him then ignoring him, but they are already discussing a new contract.

 

[Ring 6]

I can. He'll be 31 this year, and he wants 14-15 million per year.

No way you lock up that kind of cash to one player not named Brady to a big contract. 9.5 million a year is too much imo.

I love Wes...but when signing him strangleholds other possible moves for the team for years to come, I don't like it. We haven't won a Super Bowl in two attempts with Wes...love him...but he tends to disappear at very important times. Good during the regular season, but the regular season doesn't win championships.

Where are you getting that he wants 14-15 million a year?

 

[Deus Irae]

I can. He'll be 31 this year, and he wants 14-15 million per year.

No way you lock up that kind of cash to one player not named Brady to a big contract. 9.5 million a year is too much imo.

I love Wes...but when signing him strangleholds other possible moves for the team for years to come, I don't like it. We haven't won a Super Bowl in two attempts with Wes...love him...but he tends to disappear at very important times. Good during the regular season, but the regular season doesn't win championships.

Link.....?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I can. He'll be 31 this year, and he wants 14-15 million per year.

Where are you getting that he wants 14-15 million a year?

Link.....?

I've only read one claim to that effect, and given that the phrasing used is "as he's reportedly seeking $14-15 million per year," it seems like someone's smoking some pretty nasty ****.

 

[rdf63]

Franchise him if a deal can't be reached by March 5th and continue to work on a longer deal. $9M+ for one year isn't a bad deal and it gives the Pats more time to make the best deal for the team.

 

[Boomer B]

I can. He'll be 31 this year, and he wants 14-15 million per year.
No way you lock up that kind of cash to one player not named Brady to a big contract. 9.5 million a year is too much imo.

I love Wes...but when signing him strangleholds other possible moves for the team for years to come, I don't like it. We haven't won a Super Bowl in two attempts with Wes...love him...but he tends to disappear at very important times. Good during the regular season, but the regular season doesn't win championships.

I don't believe for a second Wes and his camp are asking for $14-$15 mil per year. No team in the league would go even close to those numbers. That source is most likely on the crack pipe.

My guess would be Wes wants $9 - $10 mil per at 4-5 yrs and the Pats are offering $7 - $8 mil per at 2-3 yrs. If the Pats move up on the yrs and Wes moves down on the $ they can strike a deal.

 

[ay-yo]

I don't believe for a second Wes and his camp are asking for $14-$15 mil per year. No team in the league would go even close to those numbers. That source is most likely on the crack pipe.

My guess would be Wes wants $9 - $10 mil per at 4-5 yrs and the Pats are offering $7 - $8 mil per at 2-3 yrs. If the Pats move up on the yrs and Wes moves down on the $ they can strike a deal.

I was thinking just the opposite. The Pats would rather overpay by a mil or 2 and have a shorter contract.

It's a refreshing change of pace to see a player handle a negotiation quietly.

 

[Boomer B]

I was thinking just the opposite. The Pats would rather overpay by a mil or 2 and have a shorter contract.

It's a refreshing change of pace to see a player handle a negotiation quietly.

You're right, and maybe I wasn't clear in my post. If it's a short term deal (2 yrs) the Pats would have to pay more per yr. If Wes wants a long term deal he will have to come down on the $.

 

[thechris]

To me Welker is a niche receiver albeit one of the best. I don't think he's a good #1 and is obviously better suited for the slot. I am really hoping for a big FA WR bigup this offseason to take some of the pressure of Wes.

 

[ausbacker]

I can. He'll be 31 this year, and he wants 14-15 million per year.

No way you lock up that kind of cash to one player not named Brady to a big contract. 9.5 million a year is too much imo.

I love Wes...but when signing him strangleholds other possible moves for the team for years to come, I don't like it. We haven't won a Super Bowl in two attempts with Wes...love him...but he tends to disappear at very important times. Good during the regular season, but the regular season doesn't win championships.

That's not a rational position nor is it a rational demand Ric.

 

[hovis]

I don't believe for a second Wes and his camp are asking for $14-$15 mil per year. No team in the league would go even close to those numbers. That source is most likely on the crack pipe.

My guess would be Wes wants $9 - $10 mil per at 4-5 yrs and the Pats are offering $7 - $8 mil per at 2-3 yrs. If the Pats move up on the yrs and Wes moves down on the $ they can strike a deal.

I don't see why it'd be so insane to expect Welker to ask for Top 3 Receiver money. He's been in the Top 3 in receptions since 2007, except for 2010 when just got off the ACL injury and was ONLY in the Top 5. Receiving yard numbers are similar, with 2008 (Cassell and 2010 (ACL comeback) being the only years with him out of the Top 3. If Wes wants to ask for it, he certainly could substantiate it.

Wes seems like a good guy, but this IS a business. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get tagged and traded after privately threatening a holdout. The team that gets him will pay what he wants. Even though may appear out of character for a guy like Wes, this is the last big contract he'll ever get. Don't be shocked if he wants to cash in.

 

[Boomer B]

I don't see why it'd be so insane to expect Welker to ask for Top 3 Receiver money. He's been in the Top 3 in receptions since 2007, except for 2010 when just got off the ACL injury and was ONLY in the Top 5. Receiving yard numbers are similar, with 2008 (Cassell and 2010 (ACL comeback) being the only years with him out of the Top 3. If Wes wants to ask for it, he certainly could substantiate it.

Wes seems like a good guy, but this IS a business. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get tagged and traded after privately threatening a holdout. The team that gets him will pay what he wants. Even though may appear out of character for a guy like Wes, this is the last big contract he'll ever get. Don't be shocked if he wants to cash in.

There's a few reasons i'd think it would be crazy for Wes to expect $14 - $15 mil per year.

The first and biggest issue is that he is on the wrong side of 30. Fitzgerald and Johnson are in their 20's. You don't give a guy who may be exiting his prime in the next year or 2 that kind of money.

The second is that Fitzgerald and Johnson are the best players on their team and are paid as the best players, Welker right now would be 3rd best player on the Pats. If we give Wes $14 mil how much do we pay Gronk when we redo his deal?

Third reason is that as good as Welker is, I really don't think he is as good as C. Johnson, L. Fitzgerald, or A, Johnson. He is a great at getting open within 10 yards and does that better then anyone, but is being the best slot receiver = being a great outside receiver?

By the way, i'm not one of the people here who are hating on Welker. I really appreciate what he brings to the team and I hope he gets resigned. I just don't think it would be smart to resign him at those type of numbers.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I don't see why it'd be so insane to expect Welker to ask for Top 3 Receiver money. He's been in the Top 3 in receptions since 2007, except for 2010 when just got off the ACL injury and was ONLY in the Top 5. Receiving yard numbers are similar, with 2008 (Cassell and 2010 (ACL comeback) being the only years with him out of the Top 3. If Wes wants to ask for it, he certainly could substantiate it.

Wes seems like a good guy, but this IS a business. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get tagged and traded after privately threatening a holdout. The team that gets him will pay what he wants. Even though may appear out of character for a guy like Wes, this is the last big contract he'll ever get. Don't be shocked if he wants to cash in.

I would, because he knows he won't get full value due to the trade compensation and he knows BB won't discount it and we all know he won't hold out into the season for that kind of money. Easier to take his $9.5M (half as much as he made in the last 5 seasons) and hit the market again next season looking for a 3 year $21M deal with $10M up front. He'll only be turning 32. Welker's wired to make the most of a contract year, so he'll be confident he will realize the balance. You're just projecting your own beliefs onto the player because you don't want him to get a market deal here and you don't understand how the business end of the game works. Maybe not the game itself either since you want to replace Welker with Edelman to save money. That's why the trade me scenario seems logical to you.

 

[Joker]

You're just projecting your own beliefs onto the player

sometimes I think THAT is a prerequisite for logging on here....

 

[hovis]

I would, because he knows he won't get full value due to the trade compensation and he knows BB won't discount it and we all know he won't hold out into the season for that kind of money. Easier to take his $9.5M (half as much as he made in the last 5 seasons) and hit the market again next season looking for a 3 year $21M deal with $10M up front. He'll only be turning 32. Welker's wired to make the most of a contract year, so he'll be confident he will realize the balance. You're just projecting your own beliefs onto the player because you don't want him to get a market deal here and you don't understand how the business end of the game works. Maybe not the game itself either since you want to replace Welker with Edelman to save money. That's why the trade me scenario seems logical to you.

I think a "market deal" here is in the Top 10 WR Salary range. I said $6 mill, and I'm sticking with it. All the WR salary info I've been able to find show that as being comparable for that range. But, as I just said, Welker may see his value as Top 3, and he could use certain numbers to back that up. So no, we don't all know that Welker won't hold out. You're projecting your beliefs onto the player just because you don't want him play hardball for a big payday and you don't understand how the business end of the game works. Maybe not the game itself either since you want to pay top dollar for a slot receiver when you have a backup slot receiver that provided 85% of his production in a 5-game stretch.

That's pretty naive of ya buddy. Welker will play hardball.

Not to ruin your day some more, but Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and unicorns don't exist.

 

[Ring 6]

Not to ruin your day some more, but Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and unicorns don't exist.

Yet all have as good a chance of replacing Wes Welker as Julain Edelman does.