Do you want Welker to retire a Patriot?

[QuantumMechanic]

and a 41 yarder with seconds left on the clock to win SB XXXVIII.

Of course, he only had to make that one because he blew two kicks earlier in the game...

 

[flasox27]

yes, but it does need a little time maybe if Welker comes back after next season or something then it will heal faster but we will reconcile with him eventually.

Don't hold your breath. Bill Buckner has a better chance to see the Sox paint his number on the grandstand than the weasel retiring as a Pat.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Only if he returns to the team and wins a Super Bowl here should he retire a Patriot.

I appreciate his contributions - but he didn't make the big plays when it counted.

 

[Texxx]

Welker and Edelman aren't that much different in how they approached free agency.

Welker:
Wasn't happy with Patriots offer
Went looking for others
Found an offer in Denver
Asked Patriots to match it -- an offer that the Patriots themselves say was less than what the Patriots offered
Patriots say they've moved on

Edelman: (two seasons in a row)
Wasn't happy with Patriots offer
Went looking for others
Found none to his liking
Asked Patriots if their offer was still on table
It was, and signed it


Why exactly is Welker crucified because the Patriots choose to pull their offer and sign Amendola instead? Whereas Edelman is not thought of in any negative manner for acting the same way?

I think Bill for some reason hates Welker; I just don't know why as Welker basically played hard, didn't do anything wrong (other than make a comment that he thought was funny once), and never complained

Here is a fan who actually has common sense that isn't clouded by homerism and childish bravado. By the same standards that Welker is criticized, Edelman would get the same stuff if people actually had appreciation for the players here and what they've done or at least tried to do. Edelman tried thee same thing, but teams knew he wasn't as good as Welker and he just didn't get the same kind of deal so people act blind to the fax that he tried to do the same thing. They are both hard working players that should be celebrated for the hard work they put in for this franchise. Personally, I think it would be hilarious to see what would happen if Brady ended up on another team how many in here would call him overrated and average the minute he was gone. I remember seeing some of the dumbest arguments for Chad Johnson here and how he was going to show everyone, but the minute it was clear at the end of the playoffs that he was a complete bust everyone bashed him who had been bashing anyone who would criticize the signing. The same thing happened with Amendola last season. But the minute Amendola is gone those same people will crush the guy. Fake fans.

 

[Patsrock]

He wasn't with the Pats all that long and he will have spent a minority of his career with the team. .

He has played 10 seasons.

6 with Pats
3 with Mia
1 with Denver

In order for his Pats years to be the minority he has to play 3 more seasons. Honestly I don't see that happening.

 

[Jackson 2]

Here is a fan who actually has common sense that isn't clouded by homerism and childish bravado. By the same standards that Welker is criticized, Edelman would get the same stuff if people actually had appreciation for the players here and what they've done or at least tried to do. Edelman tried thee same thing, but teams knew he wasn't as good as Welker and he just didn't get the same kind of deal so people act blind to the fax that he tried to do the same thing. They are both hard working players that should be celebrated for the hard work they put in for this franchise. Personally, I think it would be hilarious to see what would happen if Brady ended up on another team how many in here would call him overrated and average the minute he was gone. I remember seeing some of the dumbest arguments for Chad Johnson here and how he was going to show everyone, but the minute it was clear at the end of the playoffs that he was a complete bust everyone bashed him who had been bashing anyone who would criticize the signing. The same thing happened with Amendola last season. But the minute Amendola is gone those same people will crush the guy. Fake fans.

You're a fool. Go away away.

 

[Nikolai]

Here is a fan who actually has common sense that isn't clouded by homerism and childish bravado. By the same standards that Welker is criticized, Edelman would get the same stuff if people actually had appreciation for the players here and what they've done or at least tried to do. Edelman tried thee same thing, but teams knew he wasn't as good as Welker and he just didn't get the same kind of deal so people act blind to the fax that he tried to do the same thing. They are both hard working players that should be celebrated for the hard work they put in for this franchise. Personally, I think it would be hilarious to see what would happen if Brady ended up on another team how many in here would call him overrated and average the minute he was gone. I remember seeing some of the dumbest arguments for Chad Johnson here and how he was going to show everyone, but the minute it was clear at the end of the playoffs that he was a complete bust everyone bashed him who had been bashing anyone who would criticize the signing. The same thing happened with Amendola last season. But the minute Amendola is gone those same people will crush the guy. Fake fans.

 

[stinebot]

I liked Welker while he was here. And I'm not mad he left. I'm a bit annoyed that when he did leave he went to Denver, just like I was not a fan of a certain kicker going to Indianapolis. If they had gone to the Raiders or Browns or basically any NFC team I would not have cared at all. But a player cannot expect to sign with the team who is at the time NE's biggest rival and then also expect to be welcomed back with open arms so they can sign a 1 day contract and retire as a Patriot. They chose to leave, they need to live with that decision.

 

[doesntmatter1]

I have to say yes. It doesn't feel like he was here long but he was and at times he literally was our entire offense. No one was more consistent than him and he didn't hold out when he wanted a new contract then later blew out his acl that same year. Yes he had a few costly drops, but that shouldn't override his body of work here.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

paragraph?

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I have to say yes. It doesn't feel like he was here long but he was and at times he literally was our entire offense. No one was more consistent than him and he didn't hold out when he wanted a new contract then later blew out his acl that same year. Yes he had a few costly drops, but that shouldn't override his body of work here.

A few drops wouldn't matter if they weren't in the SB or key playoff games (2012 AFCCG had several). The dude played his heart out here, but didn't hold his end of the bargain up in key situations.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Of course, he only had to make that one because he blew two kicks earlier in the game...

Yes, he did miss those kicks (and had another one blocked as I recall). But that's selective memory. He had also just made five FG's to beat the Colts in the AFCCG, when the offense could only manage one TD.

When he made the 41 yarder, the Lombardi was on the line.
If he missed it, they'd have gone to OT and who knows what might have happened under the old rules.
He made the kick.
They won the SB.
That's enough for me.

The Vinatieri debate has been hashed and rehashed in dozens of threads out here. None of us are going to change each other's minds.

I'm in the camp that doesn't hold a grudge against him for taking the bucks to go kick in a Dome and that thinks he belongs in and will end up in Canton.

I don't expect to change your mind; please don't expect to change mine.

 

[Patriot Missile]

This whole should he retire with x team I haven't really cared about in awhile. The first few times when player "a" signed a 1 day contract to retire from a team was neat but now to me it's just downright tacky.

I know a players worth and what he means to an organization. Bruschi may never be a hall of famer but he is an all time Patriot and had he left for another team late it wouldn't have mattered where he retired. He was a Patriot thick and thin.

 

[spacecrime]

I guess when Tom Brady retires he'll end up being hated in here too.

You aren't seriously equating the contributions to the Pats of Welker and Brady, are you?

Plenty (most) ex-Patriot players get ovations their first trip back to Gillette. Depends on how they choose to leave and how they talk after they leave.

Had Troy Brown become a Jet, I would still give him a standing O when he came back and would be welcomed by most here. Bledsoe got a standing O. Vinitieri, no. Welker no.

You ever hear people bad-mouth Tom Tupa, even when he beat the Pats when Testeverde got hurt? Curtis Martin or other Pats players who went to the Jets?

Welker showed no respect for the Pats or Pats fans, why in the world would you respect him for disrespecting you?

He could have kept his mouth shut about BB, no one made him say Manning's Bronco offense was better than the 2007 Patriots offense. It was simply that he wanted to slur the Pats.

Fine. It's his right. Most people won't stand for that. Some enjoy it.

But to make a blanket statement that because people don't like they way Welker ran his mouth after leaving means they will hate Brady is simply ignorant.

 

[Gumby]

Seymour, Vrabel, McGuinest, Curtis Martin, Lawyer Malloy, Drew Bledsoe, Asante, Woody, Moss...sign them all to one-day contracts and pretend they all ended their careers with the Pats. We'll have some good veteran leadership that day.

Have no clue why these 2 guys are on your list.

Vrabes was TRADED away and McGinest was RELEASED.

Both only played for one more team before retiring and always said good things about Pats and that they had hoped to retire as Patriots.

Not to mention their PRODUCTION and RINGS. In particular Vrabes is quite the IRONIC choice of a guy to put on this list considering he has a DROP PERCENTAGE with NE OF: 0 % (and every one for a TD)