Just think - Welker was nearly a Viking

[JoeSixPat]

http://hsarizona.scout.com/a.z?s=222&p=2&c=715003

Until the Patriots stepped into the picture with their trade offer with the Miami Dolphins, the Vikings were quietly in discussions to acquire Wes Welker, who originally joined the Dolphins on Rick Spielman’s watch in Miami. But the Patriots were in a better position with draft picks to offer and pre-empted Minnesota’s efforts to upgrade their receiving corps.

Interesting how Minnesota is trying to spin this huh? (The story was originally published on VikingUpdate.com. Seeing that Miami only had the $1.35 million tender that required giving up a 2nd rounder, I'm intrigued how Minnesota, which I think had a #2 pick from Atlanta (I think they might have swapped) was unable to better the Patriots 2nd round draft choice.

I'd have a tough time believing they wouldn't up the ante with a 7th round pick to match the Pats.

More likely the key issue was signing Welker to an extension so they wouldn't be renting him for a 2nd rounder - and that Welker preferred the Pats over the Vikings.

Here's a good read from Reiss from October that's worth another look as well regarding how we came to get Welker.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...ss_id=Boston.com+--+New+England+Patriots+news