Patriots re-sign Aaron Hernandez to long term deal

[Eja117]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

2007 was a loooooonnnngggg time ago.  Also I gotta admit if Bill Buckner had been a really really good player (and he was pretty good) would we have given him a lot of money to stay? Cause to me that's a little what Welker is these days.  And I also gotta say it's probably a little easier for a guy to be a very good and productive receiver when the QB is Brady, the coach is BB, and your opposite receivers are guys like Moss, Gronk, and Hernandez.  I have very little doubt that if Edelmen was put in Welker's position he could perhaps easily catch 65 balls. Plus we have B Lloyd now.  Welker's best days are behind him. You pay for future, not past.  I love Welker. But not enough to overpay for him at this stage when we have other guys to pay.

[Cman]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

While I agree, you have to wonder how much longer Welker can do it at an elite level.

I don't think they are choosing to not sign him to a longer deal.  I just think he wants more years and money than they are willing to invest.  And I don't blame them for that.

If he will sign for 3 years at reasonable money, then I think the deal would already be done.  But I think he is looking for a huge deal, which the Pats just don't give to most guys over 30.

I have agreed with Felger that they should have done 3 years 27 million from the get go.  I don't know how much would be guaranteed vs not guaranteed but I think the tag for him would go up to like 13 million next year so you are talking two years on the franchse tag being like 22 million guaranteed.  So I think 3 at 27 is fair for both

Yeah what was the Pats offer 3 years 15 mil? It was something ridiculous. I don't think Welker was going to be greedy but at least a somewhat respectable offer may have pushed negotiations a little closer

No positive, but I think $15 million was the guaranteed amount...which isn't so terrible.

Anyways, the other interesting thing with Hernandez and Welker is that I see Hernandez as the eventual Welker replacement.  Not that he will be a full time WR, but that he will become the go-to safety valve reciever, and will spend a decent amount of time in the slot.

While he isn't as fast, Hernandez has some similar characteristics to Welker, and he really is a weapon on the short passes, and can run after the catch. 

My guess is, if Welker does move on after this year, the plan will be to utilize Hernandez even more, and perhaps try to use some of Welker's salary spot to get someone who can stretch the field more (depending on how things work out with Lloyd).

I think the Pats have enough offensive weapons at this point, and that the o-line is more important.

It is not just about giving Brady targets, it is also about keeping him safe. In fact, the more he ages, the more important the latter will become.

I'd rather use the money that would have been spent on Welker to get guard and tackle help on the right side of the line (I think we are set at left with Solder and Mankins).

[Donoghus]

Dons I agree with what you say, but at this point isnt it about maximizing the liklihood the pats win a title while we still have Brady?  I know the pats always think long term but when you have a guy like brady who maybe has 5 years left you gotta trying to maximize that window.

Pats have, for the part, always had one eye on the long-term while maximizing chances of winning in the short-term.  I cant imagine they'd lock up that much $$$ in a over 30 slot WR.  You're talking a 2nd year franchise tag where the money escalates. 

They might not find a slot guy as good as Welker but its not like slot guys are extremely difficult to replace, either.   

[Chris]

I think the Pats have enough offensive weapons at this point, and that the o-line is more important.

It is not just about giving Brady targets, it is also about keeping him safe. In fact, the more he ages, the more important the latter will become.

I'd rather use the money that would have been spent on Welker to get guard and tackle help on the right side of the line (I think we are set at left with Solder and Mankins).

I can't argue with that, the line is a HUGE issue right now.  Although I do think they have been working on solidifying it.  The problem is, injuries have really hurt, and the young guys seem to be having a steeper learning curve than I would like.

I am not too worried about the line, if Vollmer comes back...and especially if Waters comes back as well.  If not, then they are in trouble THIS year. 

[action781]

Dons I agree with what you say, but at this point isnt it about maximizing the liklihood the pats win a title while we still have Brady?  I know the pats always think long term but when you have a guy like brady who maybe has 5 years left you gotta trying to maximize that window.

Pats have, for the part, always had one eye on the long-term while maximizing chances of winning in the short-term.  I cant imagine they'd lock up that much $$$ in a over 30 slot WR.  You're talking a 2nd year franchise tag where the money escalates. 

They might not find a slot guy as good as Welker but its not like slot guys are extremely difficult to replace, either.

Absolutely.  A guy like Danny Amendola for 1/3 of the money?  Yes, please.

Remember, Welker was relatively unknown (to more casual fans) before he came here.  I'm sure there are more similar players out there to be found.

[arambone]

Really happy for Hernandez and the Pats. I hope Welker is able to focus this year.

I'm not sure Brady lasts 5 more years. It might be Mallet throwing to Gronk and Hernandez in the last years of their contracts.

Mallet throwing lasers to Gronk would be quite the sight eventually.

[AB_Celtic]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

2007 was a loooooonnnngggg time ago.  Also I gotta admit if Bill Buckner had been a really really good player (and he was pretty good) would we have given him a lot of money to stay? Cause to me that's a little what Welker is these days.  And I also gotta say it's probably a little easier for a guy to be a very good and productive receiver when the QB is Brady, the coach is BB, and your opposite receivers are guys like Moss, Gronk, and Hernandez.  I have very little doubt that if Edelmen was put in Welker's position he could perhaps easily catch 65 balls. Plus we have B Lloyd now.  Welker's best days are behind him. You pay for future, not past.  I love Welker. But not enough to overpay for him at this stage when we have other guys to pay.

Some people might attack me for saying this, but I watched Jeremy Ebert play at Northwestern, and the kid really is like the second coming of Welker. He was our go-to passing option and made most of his catches in the slot. That said, he's got a long way to go, since he was a 7th (I think) round draft pick and is still pretty raw.

[Cman]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

2007 was a loooooonnnngggg time ago.  Also I gotta admit if Bill Buckner had been a really really good player (and he was pretty good) would we have given him a lot of money to stay? Cause to me that's a little what Welker is these days.  And I also gotta say it's probably a little easier for a guy to be a very good and productive receiver when the QB is Brady, the coach is BB, and your opposite receivers are guys like Moss, Gronk, and Hernandez.  I have very little doubt that if Edelmen was put in Welker's position he could perhaps easily catch 65 balls. Plus we have B Lloyd now.  Welker's best days are behind him. You pay for future, not past.  I love Welker. But not enough to overpay for him at this stage when we have other guys to pay.

Some people might attack me for saying this, but I watched Jeremy Ebert play at Northwestern, and the kid really is like the second coming of Welker. He was our go-to passing option and made most of his catches in the slot. That said, he's got a long way to go, since he was a 7th (I think) round draft pick and is still pretty raw.

All i got to say is i hope you are right!
He'll likely be cut but hopefully on the practice squad.

[Chris]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

2007 was a loooooonnnngggg time ago.  Also I gotta admit if Bill Buckner had been a really really good player (and he was pretty good) would we have given him a lot of money to stay? Cause to me that's a little what Welker is these days.  And I also gotta say it's probably a little easier for a guy to be a very good and productive receiver when the QB is Brady, the coach is BB, and your opposite receivers are guys like Moss, Gronk, and Hernandez.  I have very little doubt that if Edelmen was put in Welker's position he could perhaps easily catch 65 balls. Plus we have B Lloyd now.  Welker's best days are behind him. You pay for future, not past.  I love Welker. But not enough to overpay for him at this stage when we have other guys to pay.

Some people might attack me for saying this, but I watched Jeremy Ebert play at Northwestern, and the kid really is like the second coming of Welker. He was our go-to passing option and made most of his catches in the slot. That said, he's got a long way to go, since he was a 7th (I think) round draft pick and is still pretty raw.

I heard the same thing from another Northwestern fan.  It is definitely intriguing.  Although I am not sure there is a roster spot for him this year. 

[AB_Celtic]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

2007 was a loooooonnnngggg time ago.  Also I gotta admit if Bill Buckner had been a really really good player (and he was pretty good) would we have given him a lot of money to stay? Cause to me that's a little what Welker is these days.  And I also gotta say it's probably a little easier for a guy to be a very good and productive receiver when the QB is Brady, the coach is BB, and your opposite receivers are guys like Moss, Gronk, and Hernandez.  I have very little doubt that if Edelmen was put in Welker's position he could perhaps easily catch 65 balls. Plus we have B Lloyd now.  Welker's best days are behind him. You pay for future, not past.  I love Welker. But not enough to overpay for him at this stage when we have other guys to pay.

Some people might attack me for saying this, but I watched Jeremy Ebert play at Northwestern, and the kid really is like the second coming of Welker. He was our go-to passing option and made most of his catches in the slot. That said, he's got a long way to go, since he was a 7th (I think) round draft pick and is still pretty raw.

I heard the same thing from another Northwestern fan.  It is definitely intriguing.  Although I am not sure there is a roster spot for him this year.

Probably not, with Welker and Edelman ahead of him. All three are very similar players.

[Donoghus]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

2007 was a loooooonnnngggg time ago.  Also I gotta admit if Bill Buckner had been a really really good player (and he was pretty good) would we have given him a lot of money to stay? Cause to me that's a little what Welker is these days.  And I also gotta say it's probably a little easier for a guy to be a very good and productive receiver when the QB is Brady, the coach is BB, and your opposite receivers are guys like Moss, Gronk, and Hernandez.  I have very little doubt that if Edelmen was put in Welker's position he could perhaps easily catch 65 balls. Plus we have B Lloyd now.  Welker's best days are behind him. You pay for future, not past.  I love Welker. But not enough to overpay for him at this stage when we have other guys to pay.

Some people might attack me for saying this, but I watched Jeremy Ebert play at Northwestern, and the kid really is like the second coming of Welker. He was our go-to passing option and made most of his catches in the slot. That said, he's got a long way to go, since he was a 7th (I think) round draft pick and is still pretty raw.

I heard the same thing from another Northwestern fan.  It is definitely intriguing.  Although I am not sure there is a roster spot for him this year.

Probably not, with Welker and Edelman ahead of him. All three are very similar players.

Best case scenario: they bury him on practice squad.

[Chris]

gotta wonder how welker feels about this though

Like his ass is out the door after this year or after next (and another franchise tag)

Probably, though I really don't agree with the pats decision making if they choose this route though.  Brady to Welker at the sticks has been the bread and butter of this offense since 2007.  Welker just makes everything easier for the pats offense.

2007 was a loooooonnnngggg time ago.  Also I gotta admit if Bill Buckner had been a really really good player (and he was pretty good) would we have given him a lot of money to stay? Cause to me that's a little what Welker is these days.  And I also gotta say it's probably a little easier for a guy to be a very good and productive receiver when the QB is Brady, the coach is BB, and your opposite receivers are guys like Moss, Gronk, and Hernandez.  I have very little doubt that if Edelmen was put in Welker's position he could perhaps easily catch 65 balls. Plus we have B Lloyd now.  Welker's best days are behind him. You pay for future, not past.  I love Welker. But not enough to overpay for him at this stage when we have other guys to pay.

Some people might attack me for saying this, but I watched Jeremy Ebert play at Northwestern, and the kid really is like the second coming of Welker. He was our go-to passing option and made most of his catches in the slot. That said, he's got a long way to go, since he was a 7th (I think) round draft pick and is still pretty raw.

I heard the same thing from another Northwestern fan.  It is definitely intriguing.  Although I am not sure there is a roster spot for him this year.

Probably not, with Welker and Edelman ahead of him. All three are very similar players.

Best case scenario: they bury him on practice squad.

Yeah, I think that will be the goal. 

[StartOrien]

"AARON HERNANDEZ!?!?!"

Nice game, pretty boy

[Rondo2287]

"AARON HERNANDEZ!?!?!"

Nice game, pretty boy

Haha, glad you got this, I pretty much do the newman voice every time he catches a big pass. 

[Rondo2287]

Just read in an article that Hernandez is only 22.  Now this 5 year extension makes sense.  Kid will only be 27 when the contract is over