Welker contract has distraction written all over it

The Pats have about 10 receivers so it might be wise for Welker to get a move on and get to Foxboro real soon.

Only $9.5 mil? The poor guy will be eating cat food and sleeping in a cardboard box. I bet the cardboard won't even be the corrugated kind.

He didn't really strike me as the type to play these games but I guess success can go to your head. He's got a good thing going and I'll bet that playing out the offer would serve him well whether with the Pats or someplace else come next season.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:08 AM ET  05.10 by Devi8ed

Only $9.5 mil? The poor guy will be eating cat food and sleeping in a cardboard box. I bet the cardboard won't even be the corrugated kind.

Maybe he could pick up a side gig maintaining Tom Terrific's hair.

Well well well.... If it isn't the diva himself.

GO CAPS!!!

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:09 AM ET  05.10 by Lightly Salted Nuts

He didn't really strike me as the type to play these games but I guess success can go to your head. He's got a good thing going and I'll bet that playing out the offer would serve him well whether with the Pats or someplace else come next season.

It's a lot of cash but I think you can see what Welker is miffed about, he's a lot closer to the end of his career than the beginning so is this the one year handshake?I think after all the service he's given them they would sign him to a deal to see him a Pat until the end of his career, but that's the 21st century NFL.

Huge Patriot fan and this kind of thing makes me so mad. Welker isnt one of those guys who signs a contract one year and wants a bigger one the next year. He should be paid. He even came off that injury in record time because he wanted to play.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:17 AM ET  05.10 by Mr Steeler

It's a lot of cash but I think you can see what Welker is miffed about, he's a lot closer to the end of his career than the beginning so is this the one year handshake?I think after all the service he's given them they would sign him to a deal to see him a Pat until the end of his career, but that's the 21st century NFL.

On a different team maybe. The Pats have never let loyalty get in the way of business; thinking Seymour.

Things really have changed because I'd have thought the Steelers would retain Ward for another year or two rather than what happened this off-season. Maybe Favre set this off for everyone by trying to hold the Pack hostage.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:17 AM ET  05.10 by Mr Steeler

It's a lot of cash but I think you can see what Welker is miffed about, he's a lot closer to the end of his career than the beginning so is this the one year handshake?I think after all the service he's given them they would sign him to a deal to see him a Pat until the end of his career, but that's the 21st century NFL.

Belichik has mastered the art of pushing them out the door when they think he's just patting them on the back.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:17 AM ET  05.10 by Robataille

GO CAPS!!!

Great win........one to go........

Wes, your getting the only deal you will get from the Patriots. Sign the tender and get ready to put your house on the market. You're gone next season.

9.5 million. Sign the offer

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:17 AM ET  05.10 by Mr Steeler

It's a lot of cash but I think you can see what Welker is miffed about, he's a lot closer to the end of his career than the beginning so is this the one year handshake?I think after all the service he's given them they would sign him to a deal to see him a Pat until the end of his career, but that's the 21st century NFL.

That's part of the reason the Pats stay so good year in and year out. Emotions and past performance play no part in their decision making. It's all about what they project your gonna do for them in the upcoming year, if they feel Welker is nearing the end he's not gonna get a long contract, simple as that. Don't get me wrong, I love Welker and hope they do keep him for a few more years cause I think he has plenty left in the tank, but I'm not Belichick and whatever decision he makes I'm sure it's the right one.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:06 AM ET  05.10 by TxHeat

The Pats have about 10 receivers so it might be wise for Welker to get a move on and get to Foxboro real soon.

True, but there's only one Wes Welker.

If I were him, I'd take the $9.5million. Most of his success is due to the system he's in. Someone needs to remind Wes Welker that he's not the next Jerry Rice.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 08:23 AM ET  05.10 by Lightly Salted Nuts

On a different team maybe. The Pats have never let loyalty get in the way of business; thinking Seymour.Things really have changed because I'd have thought the Steelers would retain Ward for another year or two rather than what happened this off-season. Maybe Favre set this off for everyone by trying to hold the Pack hostage.

I also thought that the Steelers would give Hines one more year but you know it's a different story here, Welker is not thinking about retiring. Just seems like they would want him to be the guy that he has been for them for the past years, but yeah that is the reality of the game today

$9.5 is the only number the Pats could put out there. That is the tag number for WR this year.
They can do the same thing next year. He really has no choice, and it is all guaranteed money when you tag a guy.

Note: This is why the other 30 owners were so pi##ed at the cowboys and Redskins for playing around in that uncapped year. Miles Austin got $17 million that year from the cowboys ( 2010 ), that RAISED the franchise tag number for receivers by about $1.5 million.

Now ya know.....

sign the tender Wes. Hines Ward had 2 years left on his final contract, the Steelers cut him, these long term contracts mean doodle-squat.