I'm hearing on the radio here that the Patriots have offered a contract to RFA Wes Welker. If Miami does not match, New England will have to surrender its 2nd Round pick to the Dawlpfinz. . . . . and I just don't get it.
So if the world class pats are dishing out money for everyone this offseason why can"t we be interested in anyone?
Welker is a decent player, and, as I just read, torched the Patriots pretty well this past season. But giving up a second round pick for a diminutive receiver that STILL wouldn't give them a guy with number one receiver talent. . . . well. . . . it's giving up too much and getting too little.
Not that it makes it any better, but when teams are giving you 1st round picks for your 2nd receiver/slot guy it makes it a little easier to make such a move.
True enough. And look what it did for Seattle. But you make a good point, and the flip side of that for the Patriots is that, if they wanted to spend top value for a small, speedy, mid-talent receiver, they could have just signed Deion Branch. But, who am I to tell them their bid'ness.
According to www.rotoworld.com the offer is worth 38M. hmy: How's this for the Patsies signing a 2nd tier FA, giving him stupid amounts of money and giving up a 2nd round pick?
Yeeesssss. This does not make up for AD going to the Pats, but it at least takes a little of the sting away. Wes Welker is good, but for a 2nd?
Updated: March 3, 2007, 3:21 PM ET Source: Pats to sign Miami's Welker to offer sheetBy Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786731 Already more active than usual in the early stages of free agency, as evidenced by their agreement with standout unrestricted linebacker Adalius Thomas, the New England Patriots are poised to make another bold move. A team source told ESPN.com on Saturday that the Patriots plan to sign Miami wide receiver Wes Welker, a three-year veteran and an explosive all-around performer, to a restricted free agent offer sheet in an attempt to pirate him away from the Dolphins. The Dolphins earlier this week made Welker a qualifying offer of $1.3 million. When the Patriots officially execute the offer sheet to Welker, the Dolphins will have seven days to either match it or pass on it. If Miami matches the offer sheet, it will retain Welker at the terms of the deal New England negotiated with him. If the Dolphins do not match the offer sheet, they will receive a second-round pick in the 2007 draft from the Patriots as compensation. Surrendering a second-round choice for a player of Welker's abilities would be viewed in most quarters, but especially in New England, as a steal. Welker would dramatically upgrade the New England wide receiver corps and the Pats would also benefit by taking him away from a division opponent. Plus, the Patriots own a pair of first-round choices in the 2007 draft, and can afford to part with a second-round selection for a player of Welker's skills. Welker, 25, is a terrific, if unheralded playmaker who has earned a spot on the ESPN.com "all unsung" team each of the past two seasons. Used principally as a return specialist in his first two seasons in the league, Welker emerged as a viable receiving threat in 2006, with 67 catches for 687 yards and a touchdown. The former Texas Tech standout originally entered the NFL with San Diego in 2004 as an undrafted college free agent. He was waived by the Chargers early in the 2004 season and signed with the Dolphins shortly thereafter. In 47 appearances, including three starts, Welker has 96 receptions for 1,121 yards and one touchdown. He has returned 170 kickoffs for an average of 22.7 yards and one touchdown and has 127 punt returns for a 9.7-yard average and one score. Securing the services of restricted free agents historically has proved to be a difficult undertaking with the current system. In the 14 previous years of free agency, only 55 restricted free agents changed teams. Four restricted free agents changed teams in 2006. In another move aimed at bolstering their offense, the Patriots on Saturday reached agreement with unrestricted free agent tailback Sammy Morris, who played the last three seasons for the Miami Dolphins. Morris will provide an experienced backup to youngster Laurence Maroney and could compensate for the release of Corey Dillon earlier this week. A seven-year veteran, Morris has carried 374 times for 1,469 yards and 14 touchdowns and has 112 catches for 792 yards and one score. Morris, 29, also is an excellent special teams performer.
He's a hell of a player. He can kick, return kicks/punts, catch well and play special teams. All around, he's a great player to have on the team... But not for $38M and a 2nd round pick. hmy:
Haw Haw Haw. . . . are you effin' kidding me?!! A STEAL?!! HAH! Thieve-away, New England. Thieve-away!
I think this would be another good move by the Pats. Welker is a hell of a player & the Pats have a very low 2nd. Makes there team better which is more bad news for the Jets. On a positive note, it makes the Phins worse.
Look, I don't profess to have all knowledge, but picks mean different things to different teams. We have 2 first rounders this season, and that is a lot money. So trading away the 2nd rounder makes sense in that respect. In addition, we know Welker's skills. I'm not here to say he is bad/good, but his skills are known vs. unknown. Look how that crap-bag Chad Jackson (our 2nd rounder last season btw) turned out for us. Picks are unknown quantities. So who knows if it's a good or bad deal. We won't know for a year or two. Personally, that little bastard torched us, so I'm all for it in that respect. :wink:
DW!!! Hehe. . . today's not a day for teasing. Adalius Thomas is a guy I wanted badly. BTW, how our project coming?
The player the Patises traded away last year wasn't worth a first rounder either. I find the move puzzling as this year's draft is supposed to have a bumper crop at WR.
