Wes Welker signs with Denver Broncos / Amendola to Pats (Merged)

[Snakehead]

Pats basically disrespected Welker, have done so in the past, and he's supposed to stay?

He shouldn't have stayed --  he made the right move.  But time will tell as to whether the Pats made the right move.  I am not one who cares much about the respect factor.  Everyone in the world who is offered less than what they think they're worth feels disrespected. And it happens every day in every walk of life.  Any employer who has a budget HAS TO try to get the most he can out of the least money. If the Pats put a low offer on the table, they knew the risk and therefore must be OK with losing him.   If they're OK, I'm OK, given that BB and Co. know more about running an NFL football organization than I do. 

You do not pay for lifetime achievement or to avoid hurting someone's feelings.  If you do, you end up doing something like paying a hobbled David Ortiz 26M for 2 years -- and you get blasted by fans for that.  In this case, it's surprising they didn't offer more -- but notice that no one in the NFL offered near what Welker reportedly wanted.

Let's see what the Pats do from here.

My only issue with this is for example how Welker was treated at the start of this season (where he was intentionally not played).  Stuff like that plus the low ball offer and contract issues does reach disrespect to me.

[BleedGreen1989]

Ugh it's a sad day. I'd have no problem if somebody broke the bank on him and he left but the Pats can't match 12mill over 2 years!? That's a bargain. We always say "in Belicheck we trust" but it seems to get harder and harder

There's really only two options. Belichick is a moron, or he has a plan in place. I don't think any of us think belichick is a moron. Lets wait and see how this all pans out before we hang ourselves. And yes I agree, ^ we're consistent mainly because of bradys awesomeness.

I hear you and I keep seeing people say that but what would be a possible "plan"? I'm not sure Danny Amendola is the answer. The guy is injured fairly often and we can't just assume the Pats will land him. Somebody who misses out on Greg Jennings could easily throw some money at him.

I'd really like to see the Pats retain Talib. Been a very long time since they've had a true #1 corner. Also, Ed Reed has been mentioned a lot and I can't see him returning to Baltimore after they're clearly heading for a young rebuild on the defensive side. I feel there are a lot of good veteran defensive players still left out there.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

From ESPN:

It's possible that the Patriots were laying contingency plans in the event that they lost Wes Welker in free agency, as ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that the team began pursuing Danny Amendola during the three-day negotiating window this past weekend.

Amendola, 27, is considered by many to be a comparable player to Welker, although he has missed 20 games over the past two seasons for the Rams.

Great. So the Patriots' plan is to replace a 100+-reception guy with someone who might play half the season. If we're lucky.

[Snakehead]

Ugh it's a sad day. I'd have no problem if somebody broke the bank on him and he left but the Pats can't match 12mill over 2 years!? That's a bargain. We always say "in Belicheck we trust" but it seems to get harder and harder

There's really only two options. Belichick is a moron, or he has a plan in place. I don't think any of us think belichick is a moron. Lets wait and see how this all pans out before we hang ourselves. And yes I agree, ^ we're consistent mainly because of bradys awesomeness.

I hear you and I keep seeing people say that but what would be a possible "plan"? I'm not sure Danny Amendola is the answer. The guy is injured fairly often and we can't just assume the Pats will land him. Somebody who misses out on Greg Jennings could easily throw some money at him.

I'd really like to see the Pats retain Talib. Been a very long time since they've had a true #1 corner. Also, Ed Reed has been mentioned a lot and I can't see him returning to Baltimore after they're clearly heading for a young rebuild on the defensive side. I feel there are a lot of good veteran defensive players still left out there.

As far as Reed, for what it's worth today it's been said he's going to the Texans, then the 49ers and Colts for visits.  Pats weren't mentioned so not sure.

[nickagneta]

One receiver does not a franchise make.

Welker will be replaced by others and the team will move on. The important thing is to get the offensive line and all around defense improved.

With Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard, Edelman, Lloyd and a superior running games as well as a rookie or free agent coming in at receiver, the offense will be fine. The important part is to get some CBs and safeties that can perform at a high level.

I would venture to guess that someone like Talib could be looked at as more important to the Pats success than Welker next year.

[Redz]

I know it's beside the point and all relative etc...but I still have a tough time hearing a guy signing for 6 million dollars was "cheap".


Thank you for service.  Buhbye Wes.

[Snakehead]

And now Amendola for 5 years... what.  Guy is made of glass.

Welker for 2 years vs him at 5 is very puzzling.

[BleedGreen1989]

And now Amendola for 5 years... what.  Guy is made of glass.

Welker for 2 years vs him at 5 is very puzzling.

Yea maybe we should perhaps make a new thread about Amendola, would like to hear people's opinions

[blink]

@Cman

That makes sense.  If I was a Pat fan, and what is being reported is true, I'd be furious with the Pats' management.

Seems right in line with how they treat their players though.

I agree with this.  I am not a pats fan (I am actually a strange combination, Huge Celtic's fan and a Dolphins fan) and don't know a lot about the pats other receivers but Wes is a special player.  The dolphin fans still regret letting him go.

Now the Pats may have other plans we don't know about, but I do know that Brady has a limited number of years left that he will compete for championships.  I can't imagine why you would take away his biggest safety valve right now when the Pat are still right there with super bowl aspirations. 

The contract he received from the Broncos was average receiver money.  I mean Brian Hartline is making 6 mil a year now for the phins.  The pats can't keep Welker for 6 mil for two years? 

I know the pats have a great offense and probably someone will step up and take his targets and do well just because it is Brady, but I still can't believe they didn't at least match.  SMH.

[Donoghus]

Welker's deal w/ DEN: 2 yrs $10M all guaranteed.

Amendola's deal w/ NE: 5 yrs $31M $10M guaranteed.

Take it as however you want it.

[Cman]

@Cman

That makes sense.  If I was a Pat fan, and what is being reported is true, I'd be furious with the Pats' management.

Seems right in line with how they treat their players though.

Well, Gronk and Hernandez don't fit the pattern.

[BleedGreen1989]

Welker's deal w/ DEN: 2 yrs $10M all guaranteed.

Amendola's deal w/ NE: 5 yrs $31M $10M guaranteed.

Take it as however you want it.

Wow. I was trying to find the numbers on Amendolas deal but couldn't. Very sad to see him get the 6mill (plus an additional 3 years??) instead of Welker. Sad day for this Patriot fan

[blink]

Welker's deal w/ DEN: 2 yrs $10M all guaranteed.

Amendola's deal w/ NE: 5 yrs $31M $10M guaranteed.

Take it as however you want it.

Wow. I was trying to find the numbers on Amendolas deal but couldn't. Very sad to see him get the 6mill (plus an additional 3 years??) instead of Welker. Sad day for this Patriot fan

Believe me, every team in the AFC east is doing handstands.  Maybe Amendolas has some future upside?  I don't know.  Welker at least deserved to be matched at the 2 year 10mil range.  I am in shock.

Does Wes have some unknown injury or something else going on?

[Snakehead]

Welker's deal w/ DEN: 2 yrs $10M all guaranteed.

Amendola's deal w/ NE: 5 yrs $31M $10M guaranteed.

Take it as however you want it.

Wow. I was trying to find the numbers on Amendolas deal but couldn't. Very sad to see him get the 6mill (plus an additional 3 years??) instead of Welker. Sad day for this Patriot fan

Believe me, every team in the AFC east is doing handstands.  Maybe Amendolas has some future upside?  I don't know.  Welker at least deserved to be matched at the 2 year 10mil range.  I am in shock.

Does Wes have some unknown injury or something else going on?

The thing about Amendola is he's quite good, he is Wes Welker like, but unlike Welker he is the opposite of durable.  And he hasn't played meaningful games either.

If you consider that your three best pass catchers can be considered injury prone now... well that could fall apart real quick.

[BleedGreen1989]

Pretty bummed the Pats decided to go this route. Hope there's some good news in the coming days to cheer me up!