Pats signing Welker to 7yr 38.5 mil offer sheet

[Rack]

I'm really surprised...not only at the money, but also giving up a 2nd rd pick for a guy who is really, really average

I'm no fan of ted Ginn, but I think when you have two 1st rd picks in the 20's he'd have made more sense than Welker for a 2nd rd pick and nearly 40 million

David

Hell I didn't even know they also gave up a 2nd rounder. Wow.

Dan Snyder must of bought the Pats.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I'm really surprised...not only at the money, but also giving up a 2nd rd pick for a guy who is really, really average

I'm no fan of ted Ginn, but I think when you have two 1st rd picks in the 20's he'd have made more sense than Welker for a 2nd rd pick and nearly 40 million

David

Welker's been in the top five in total yardage each of the last two season. He's one of the best returners in the game and an above average third/slot receiver.

He'll pick up 2000 yards next year for the Patriots in his sleep and solve the most glaring need on a Super Bowl contender. Isn't that better than the 60th best player in the 2007 draft?

Plus you almost have to throw the money out the window. The same way that people were aghast at Hutchinson's contract a year ago and he now looks like a bargain. What shocks us today makes us laugh in a year.

 

[dbair1967]

Welker's been in the top five in total yardage each of the last two season. He's one of the best returners in the game and an above average third/slot receiver.

He'll pick up 2000 yards next year for the Patriots in his sleep and solve the most glaring need on a Super Bowl contender. Isn't that better than the 60th best player in the 2007 draft?

Plus you almost have to throw the money out the window. The same way that people were aghast at Hutchinson's contract a year ago and he now looks like a bargain. What shocks us today makes us laugh in a year.

a kick returner was their most glaring need? and its worth 39mils and a 2nd rd pick?

sorry, I aint buying that

David

 

[superpunk]

My wife is going to be devastated. After Taylor and Thomas, Welker is hands down the fan favorite.

And he might go to the dirty Pats.

It's a dark day....

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Good for Welker!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

thanks for posting!

 

[big dog cowboy]

thanks for posting!

You forgot "Great read!".

 

[superpunk]

Welker's been in the top five in total yardage each of the last two season. He's one of the best returners in the game and an above average third/slot receiver.

He'll pick up 2000 yards next year for the Patriots in his sleep and solve the most glaring need on a Super Bowl contender. Isn't that better than the 60th best player in the 2007 draft?

Plus you almost have to throw the money out the window. The same way that people were aghast at Hutchinson's contract a year ago and he now looks like a bargain. What shocks us today makes us laugh in a year.

I agree.

He is instantly their #1 WR. Aside from the depth chart, he was easily Miami's best receiver last season. He's every bit the receiver Crayton is (who we also tendered a second, I think) AND he's one of the most dynamic, gutsy return men in the game.

I wouldn't discount the possibility of the Pats just turning the screws on the Dolphins here. The Dolphins cannot lose Welker. He is enormously valuable on the field, and the fans love him. This offer sheet should get matched. It's all funny money at this point anyhow.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

You forgot "Great read!".

okay!

 

[StanleySpadowski]

a kick returner was their most glaring need? and its worth 39mils and a 2nd rd pick?

sorry, I aint buying that

David

If Welker was on the 2006 Patriots, I'd be willing to wager that NE would have been making Bears' fans swear at Grossman instead of the Colts.

You do realize that he had almost 700 yards receiving yards as a third receiver catching passes from Culpepper and Harrington right? Imagine what he'll do with Brady.

After signing Thomas, NE needed a punt and kick returner and a receiver who is willing to over the middle to get cracked by linebackers. Welker fits the bill.


And again, the money is meaningless. What looks insane today is a bargain tomorrow.

 

[dbair1967]

If Welker was on the 2006 Patriots, I'd be willing to wager that NE would have been making Bears' fans swear at Grossman instead of the Colts.

You do realize that he had almost 700 yards receiving yards as a third receiver catching passes from Culpepper and Harrington right? Imagine what he'll do with Brady.

After signing Thomas, NE needed a punt and kick returner and a receiver who is willing to over the middle to get cracked by linebackers. Welker fits the bill.


And again, the money is meaningless. What looks insane today is a bargain tomorrow.

he averaged 10yds a catch and scored 1 TD...

I'm just not impressed, sorry

David

 

[superpunk]

he averaged 10yds a catch and scored 1 TD...

I'm just not impressed, sorry

David

The guy caught 67% of his passes playing the tough slot position in that offense where he was getting murdered. They didn't use him to his strengths and he still put it down, as a 3rd receiver. The trouble is, you're looking at straight numbers, and for only a receiver. If you watch this guy, admire his toughness, and watch how dangerous he is on returns, this is a perfectly reasonable offer from New England, all things considered.

Playing in a timing offense with Brady (as opposed to Culpepper, Feely, Frerotte, Lemon and Harrington) will put him instantly near Branch territory, if not have a year like Furrey did last year. I guarantee that.

 

[dbair1967]

The guy caught 67% of his passes playing the tough slot position in that offense where he was getting murdered. They didn't use him to his strengths and he still put it down, as a 3rd receiver. The trouble is, you're looking at straight numbers, and for only a receiver. If you watch this guy, admire his toughness, and watch how dangerous he is on returns, this is a perfectly reasonable offer from New England, all things considered.

Playing in a timing offense with Brady (as opposed to Culpepper, Feely, Frerotte, Lemon and Harrington) will put him instantly near Branch territory, if not have a year like Furrey did last year. I guarantee that.

I guess we'll see...but if the Pats intend on making a guy like Welker a key component of their regular offense, they are not going to score alot of pts or scare many teams

David

 

[superpunk]

I guess we'll see...but if the Pats intend on making a guy like Welker a key component of their regular offense, they are not going to score alot of pts or scare many teams

David

Just you wait Mr. bair......just you wait.

Welker is da troof. I think he's fantastic. It would be awful to see him go to the Pats.

 

[Crown Royal]

That's a lot of money, but a superior move by the pats otherwise. I think Welker is worth a 2nd, easily. Now he most likely won't see all that contract, but if he develops into a 1 or 2 WR weapon combined with his kick return ability, then 5.5 per year isn't that awful.

Anyway - most likely his salary is backloaded, so his cap hit at the beginning won't hurt to much. If he doesn't become a good starting WR, then cut your losses in 3 years before his contract starts really getting expensive.

A 2nd round pick for someone you KNOW can come in, return kicks & punts for great yardarge, contribute as at least a 3rd WR and maybe a 2 or even a 1 on that team is a bargain. Better than taking a chance on a bust.

And with Welker, Thomas and maybe one more WR, the Pats are one of the most stacked teams in the league.

 

[Hiero]

welker is perfect for the patriots. quick and shifty, and I think with Tom Brady he could really make a lot of big plays. the contract is very likely backloaded a ton. tom brady probably had talks with the FO and said they better sign some people.

 

[the kid 05]

agree 100%

i watched him at texas tech and he was an awesome talent.

weapon of mass destruction.

the patriots are really making me look stupid!!!!

not true at all...because then he wouldn't have ever been found by miami

 

[joseephuss]

I guess we'll see...but if the Pats intend on making a guy like Welker a key component of their regular offense, they are not going to score alot of pts or scare many teams

David

Troy Brown
Reche Caldwell
Brandon Childress
Doug Gabriel
Jabar Gaffney
Chad Jackson
Kelvin Kight
Jonathan Smith

Is Wes Welker any worse than those guys. Caldwell led the Pats from the wide receiver position with 61 receptions for 760 yards and 4 TDs. I think Welker can do better than that. The money is a lot even with the ever ballooning salary cap, but the Pats did get a good receiver. They should be able to score as many points as they did this past season in which they ranked 7th in points scored.

 

[coogrfan]

Playing in a timing offense with Brady (as opposed to Culpepper, Feely, Frerotte, Lemon and Harrington) will put him instantly near Branch territory, if not have a year like Furrey did last year. I guarantee that.

or....they could have just paid Branch in the first place. The money wouldn't have been that much more, they would have a much better player than Welker, and they wouldn't be out a 2nd round pick.

If Daniel Snyder had tendered this exact same offer for Welker, we would be laughing our collective butts off. Instead, it's a savvy move by the Pats "brilliant" brain trust.

I don't see it, but what do I know. I'm not the genius Belichek is.

 

[superpunk]

or....they could have just paid Branch in the first place. The money wouldn't have been that much more, they would have a much better player than Welker, and they wouldn't be out a 2nd round pick.

If Daniel Snyder had tendered this exact same offer for Welker, we would be laughing our collective butts off. Instead, it's a savvy move by the Pats "brilliant" brain trust.

I don't see it, but what do I know. I'm not the genius Belichek is.

True. Paying Branch would have been best. I guess you have to decide what is better - Branch, Welker, and no second round pick, or a first round draft pick, Welker, and no second round draft pick. If Welker's play rises to Branch status, plus his return skills, plus the first rounder, #2 is a better deal.

But we'll see.