Truth & Rumors > NFL
Patriots gambling on motivated Welker?
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07:25 AM ET 07.17 | The saga with Wes Welker and the Patriots will continue into next spring, if not longer. The two sides were in communication about a contract extension yesterday, but they couldn't reach anything before the deadline, according to a source. As a result, Welker will play under the franchise tag this season, and he'll earn $9.5 million in guaranteed money. It might still cost the Patriots more money than it could have this offseason, but that's the gamble they made by forcing Welker to prove his worth again in 2012. Welker will take it to heart, too. Sources close to the receiver said he worked out last offseason with these contract negotiations in mind. He wanted to show the Patriots that he could fully recover from the knee injury that limited him in 2010, and he had the best statistical season of his career with 122 receptions (one shy of his career high) for personal bests of 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. The 31-year-old will be motivated to bring it again, as he has through his football life.
Wes Welker, Icon SMI
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Comments (58) Add A Comment
Over-rated Diva.
Robataille
Total Comments (54455)
If you're not willing to pay a player like Wes Welker, who will you pay? Wes earns his money every play.
markwwnb
Total Comments (94)
Are you out of your mind?
clemtheslowson
Total Comments (35999)
Nah... Just have my own opinion.
Robataille
Total Comments (54455)
I'm out of my mind... in general.
Wawa-we-wa
Total Comments (2008)
Okay. Was just checking.
clemtheslowson
Total Comments (35999)
Yes he did.
In a loss.
clemtheslowson
Total Comments (35999)
This is how the team operates.
TxHeat
Total Comments (13686)
I feel a big time Dez Bryant thread coming on....
Robataille
Total Comments (54455)
I think we may see Welker in another uniform next season as the Pats try to develop some young blood. They are the Ronald Reagan of the NFL. "We will not negotiate with players."
Lightly Salted Nuts
Total Comments (4086)
Welker is worth $9.5 M per season, too bad they couldn't come to a long tern deal, but that amount is not chicken feed...
Mangler.
Total Comments (11572)
There is nothing to prevent them from continuing to negotiate. They've done this before, and they'll do it again. Welker plans to be in camp, and to be a big part of the offense just like he's always been. They may have a negotiated deal before the season starts, despite the article's contention that it will go into next year.
Debbie Does
Total Comments (20406)
This is playing out exactly to the Patriots' wishes. Welker is over 30. He already had his multi-year contract. Moving forward, Pats aren't all that interested in multi-year contracts for him.
Hatrunner
Total Comments (2009)
right..keep in mind where the story was published.
TxHeat
Total Comments (13686)
Brees signed, 5 years, 100 million.
Debbie Does
Total Comments (20406)
Not that 9.5 mill is anything to balk at but it doesn't offer the long term security that these players look for. It's a slap in the face by the Patriots for all that this guy has done for the team. Yes, Wes is on the backend of his career but his contributions have helped make that team what it is. The paid Gronk his money (he deserves it as well). If I was a young player looking at this it would serve as a deterent for me wanting to put down roots. Another reason why I can't stand the Pats, CHEATERS AND STINGY!
Book
Philadelphia, PA
Total Comments (28)
umm,........i believe the pats ''$toled'' him from the finz for something like 5-yrs./18-mill.[?],.....he should get a long-term deal, esp. after they paid ocho-stinko 6-million/yr.,.......but $9.5 ain't bad either.
{+}MOTHER-MARGE{+}
Total Comments (4508)
~fly~......EAGLES.......~fly~ !
{+}MOTHER-MARGE{+}
Total Comments (4508)
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