Rappaport: Welker still waiting for the Pats' first offer

[mcmurtry86]

We lost one Superbowl because we didn't have a viable backup for an injured Gronkowski. Its my personal opinion we lost the potential for another because he was then out for the rest of the playoffs with another injury (Im not implying he's injury prone, but these things happen). Its my opinion that another big catching TE might have split the difference for us.

Unless that "big catching TE" was playing defense, he wasn't going to singlehandedly help beat the Ravens.

 

[Belichick8384]

More depth at TE?

We have Gronkowski and Hernandez as our starters.
We have Fells, Ballard and Hooman all competing for backup positions.

I think Ballard, with a full recovery of course, is more of a promising prospect. The guy is good. And in 2012, he could've made the difference in my opinion.

That said, an ACL injury is hard to recover fully from. And there is that possibility that he may not be what he used to be. But just look at Brady. If he recovers as well as Brady did, he'll be an excellent addition to the offense.

 

[PP2]

Why would you say something like this when the reporting on the Welker situation has been so spotty, to put it kindly? We have absolutely no idea what the hell is going on with Welker.

So far, this is basically playing out the way Moss '08 played out. The only real question is whether or not the ending will be the same.

We do know he wasn't signed by another team today. There hasn't been even as much as a rumor on twitter on what teams may be pursuing him. There's been zero buzz. Not even Schefter has had anything to say.

So it is pretty safe to conclude that he isn't in demand as much as he thought he might be.

The longer this drags out, the more certain it is that he'll return.

 

[Belichick8384]

There may not be much demand, but even so if just 1 team decides they want him they will give him a good offer. But I think Welker will return in the end, as I think any other team that wants Welker will give him an offer that the PATS can top.

 

[slash83]

From Rotoworld, according to the Herald, talks between the Pats and Welker were far apart when talks broke off last night. The possibility of losing Welker is real.

 

[DarrylS]

We have learned that we do not fall in love with veterans, we also know that the NFL pays on what they project for the future, not the past.

WW is the man, but if he is overpricing himself we need to walk away..

 

[Henroc]

We have learned that we do not fall in love with veterans, we also know that the NFL pays on what they project for the future, not the past.

WW is the man, but if he is overpricing himself we need to walk away..

ill second that. if all we do in FA is get a great cb and S, then ill expect WR to be top priority in draft along with DL somewhere in there n prob another DB late in the draft. We could use a coverage linebacker but fletcher is returning so hopefully he helps out in that regard.

 

[Froob]

There may not be much demand, but even so if just 1 team decides they want him they will give him a good offer. But I think Welker will return in the end, as I think any other team that wants Welker will give him an offer that the PATS can top.

Why would you put that as your sig....

 

[bagwell368]

From Rotoworld, according to the Herald, talks between the Pats and Welker were far apart when talks broke off last night. The possibility of losing Welker is real.

Welker:

I'm done with Wes. He talks too much. Complains about his pay too much. He's not a fully functioning top WR like a Fitzgerald. He's a niche player that BB and co. selected and trained to do a job. He's done it very well for six years. He's on the back 5 (forget 9). Whatever he is asking is too much. Sentiment is NOT a reason to pay players in a salary capped league.

Pats Spending:

By the looks of the yesterday, teams are overpaying in most deals. That means the prices will drop on the remaining FA's. It also means more players will be cut soon, and in camp. BB will make sure he keeps lots of money for those sorts of situations and his draft.

All I know is that the Pats roster will be better and deeper on the 53 man cut down day that it was two days ago - and by no small measure.

Anyone that starts losing their heads in the coming days due to "lack of activity" on behalf of the Pats has lost sight of that.

 

[Rob0729]

Based on reports by Adam Schefter and others about the lack of a market for Welker at least for good money along with the already weak market for Jennings, Welker may have unrealistic expectations for what his market is. This could play out like Leigh Bodden who wanted more than what the Pats were offering and realized the market for him wasn't what he thought it would be and ended up re-signing with the Pats.

That said, Welker could be upset that the Pats didn't reward him for taking the salary hit in the past and take an equal or even lesser offer elsewhere.

I think it is safe to think Welker isn't going to break the bank with a new deal, but the question is whether he will return to the Pats or give someone else what he thinks is below market value deal.

 

[Nunchucks]

Of course there isn't a huge market for Welker. What team wants to add a super short specialist slot receiver who is 32 years old and does not have top end speed?

 

[ralmat55]

Welker:

Pats Spending:

By the looks of the yesterday, teams are overpaying in most deals. That means the prices will drop on the remaining FA's. It also means more players will be cut soon, and in camp. BB will make sure he keeps lots of money for those sorts of situations and his draft.

All I know is that the Pats roster will be better and deeper on the 53 man cut down day that it was two days ago - and by no small measure.

Anyone that starts losing their heads in the coming days due to "lack of activity" on behalf of the Pats has lost sight of that.

Where are all these marvelous bargain free agents everyone talks about. A quick review of the Patriots roster suggests that this approach hasn't been so successful lately - Steve Gregory, Daniel Fells and Jonathan Fanene anyone?

 

[PP2]

From Rotoworld, according to the Herald, talks between the Pats and Welker were far apart when talks broke off last night. The possibility of losing Welker is real.

Rotoworld is not a credible source for rumors.

 

[borg]

Rotoworld is not a credible source for rumors.

Rotoworld just amasses info from other news outlets/sources. In this case the Boston Herald. Do you value PFT more? They just select the juiciest material from Rotoworld

 

[slash83]

Rotoworld is not a credible source for rumors.

Read my post over again. Thanks.

 

[PP2]

Rotoworld just amasses info from other news outlets/sources. In this case the Boston Herald. Do you value PFT more? They just select the juiciest material from Rotoworld

Yes, they amass information for the fantasy football crowd. They are not a site that is capable of doing much else than regurgitating every bit of rumor they hear.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Where are all these marvelous bargain free agents everyone talks about. A quick review of the Patriots roster suggests that this approach hasn't been so successful lately - Steve Gregory, Daniel Fells and Jonathan Fanene anyone?

Brian Waters, Mark Anderson and Andre Carter helped get you to the Super Bowl a distant two years ago big boy. Before you say it. Ocho and Haynesworth were trades. Oh, I get it. The Pats should win the Super Bowl every year.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Sign the little Hobbit and keep the Fellowship together.

Wes Baggins, Gandalf the Grey Hoodie, Aragorn the QB, Wilfork the Dwarf, Samwise Woodhead, Legolanandez, and Borogronk.

Merry Branch and Pippen Lloyd may have to go though.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Breer with the "they're just not that into hm" angle:

Albert Breer ?@AlbertBreer
Word around the league is the Patriots' offer to Welker came in substantially lower than expected, and he's seriously considering bolting NE

 

[BadMoFo]

Albert Breer ?@AlbertBreer

Word around the league is the Patriots' offer to Welker came in substantially lower than expected, and he's seriously considering bolting NE