Paul’s Calls: Time to play tag?
Posted by pperillo on February 20, 2012 – 12:54 pmToday marks the opening of the 15-day period in which teams can place the franchise tag on one of their potential free agents. The Patriots have between now and March 5 at 4 p.m. to use the designation, and most believe the candidate most likely to be tagged is wide receiver Wes Welker.
Welker just completed a five-year deal and earned $2.15 million in 2011, a season in which he led the league with 122 catches and was second with 1,569 receiving yards. If Welker is tagged he would be line to receive a one-year tender offer worth approximately $9.6 million.
Welker refused to discuss his contract status throughout the season, insisting that it would be a story for the offseason. But with the league year set to open March 13 and the Combine scheduled to kick off Wednesday in Indy, the offseason is very much upon us.
The wideout has stated repeatedly his desire to remain in New England and with Tom Brady but he also could be seeking a long-term, big-money deal. He’ll be 31 at the start of the 2012 season, and with four 100-catch seasons in the last five his body has certainly taken plenty of hits during his Patriots career. With that in mind it would be understandable if the team wished to limit the term and value of the deal.
Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald (eight years, $120 million) and Houston’s Andre Johnson (seven year, $73.5 million) are two of the highest paid receivers in the game. If Welker is looking to enter that stratosphere there’s little chance he’d do so in New England. Even something along the lines of the Jets Santonio Holmes’ $50 million deal may be too rich for the Patriots blood considering Welker’s age.
However, if Welker would be agreeable to something more along the lines of a four-year, $32 million deal with roughly half or so guaranteed, then it’s possible something could work out.
In the meantime, the Patriots may want to protect themselves and offer the franchise tag until negotiations can be completed.
What do you think of the Welker situation? Should the Patriots franchise him? Should they agree to give him whatever he wants?
Posted in General | 18 Comments »
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By alan on Feb 20, 2012 | Reply
Welker has helped the patriots imensely, I think they owe it to him to give him a fair dead. Two million a year is what he’s making now–what a rip off, this guy was leading the league in rec yards the whole year last year till the last game.
This is one area I personally have no respect for the Pats on. They had better learn from there past mistakes in thinknig they can win with just anybody. There is a good core group of guys that brought them to the big game last year–keep most of them and add a few more key players.
I certainly hope the Pats have learned from the past you cannot just win with anybody–it dosn’t work!
By Don T. Cawlmey on Feb 20, 2012 | Reply
Question: would it be desirable, or not desirable, for Welker’s contract to match Brady’s contract in terms of expiration date?
One one hand, the two work well together, and you might want to keep them both together for the same amount of time.
On the other hand, Brady will eventually retire. Might we want him to start grooming new receivers at some point so that they are up to speed in the New England System for our next, post-Brady quarterback?
By jhimmelb on Feb 20, 2012 | Reply
The Patriots need to do what is smart financially. because it would suck but he could go and be replaced with lesser talents Loyd and Wanye and we would still have a dynamic offense brady would get it done so really it comes down to money and i hope he is on the team in september
By Debra Beal on Feb 20, 2012 | Reply
The Patriots have been known not to pay the big bucks to anyone. But now it is time. Look at the stats. Look at the team wins. Look at Welkers last contract 2.15 million a year what a joke. He’s been the best receiver the last three years and will be for the next three years. No whiining, no crying, no complaining. If you want to see Gronk and Hernandez double teamed and well covered just let Wes go and see what happens. Brady needs Wes the team needs Wes
and the fans need Wes. Pay the man.
By MIKE D on Feb 20, 2012 | Reply
I envision the Pats franchising Welker, but only for the purpose of giving them more time to work out a long term deal – similarly to what happened with Vince Wilfork.
By Diana D. Mitchell on Feb 20, 2012 | Reply
I believe Welker should get a good long term deal because he deserves it.
By John on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
I think they should pay him i know that much im thinking a 4 year deal with around 35 million which should still leave us room to improve on the team in other areas.
By cribbum3 on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
I think it would be a sin to let welker walk. He has given so much to the team and he works very well with brady. The money he made this past year was nothing compared to other top recievers in the nfl. Its time to make up some lost money for him and sign him to a decent contract
By Chris on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
Welker is great and all, but we can’t afford to shell out huge bucks just on him because we need to buy some defense. The defense is holding the Patriots back.We need more defensive stars in the secondary NOW.Asante Samuel and Carlos Rogers should be wearing a Patriots uniform next year. Near last in the league, especially against the pass for 2 years is horrible. Buy some defensive help, Now!
By bryce on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
Chain mover.Need him back- Brady loves him.Tag or no tag-Kraft gets the deal done !…
By Karl on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
I think they should pay him if they can get him for a fair price. Don’t overpay, if they let him walk Edleman can play his spot(not as well but well) and pick up a good deep reciever than needs to be doubled like Wallace from Stellers – he is youner and proven.
By joseph p. sepko on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
we need more bigger faster receivers.not smurfs
By Meepein on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
We need to keep Welker, either by extension or francise. The bigger issue is who will be our 2nd and 3rd WR’s, since I don’t know if I have 100% confidence in Branch, and I think it is a safe bet that Ochocinco is gone. If we go into next year with a WR set that looks like Welker – Lloyd – Wayne I will be supremely happy.
By SULLIVAN on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
Franchise.
By GA503 on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
Pay Him Please Mr. Kraft! For The Love Of God! Get Us Some Key Defensive Players And A Long Ball Threat Recieiver………Welker Is Of Historic Proportion To Our Success!
By Rachel on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
Simply put, pay Wes fairly, he’s earned it,
By Mike M on Feb 21, 2012 | Reply
I’m sure Welker noticed what happened to Branch, when he left for Seattle. Welker has excelled in the Patriots system, and would likely end up underappreciated (then potentially cut, due to the exhorbitant salary promise) somewhere else. And, then he would also be unlikely to have the chance to redeem himself in another Super Bowl. A deal has to be fair to both sides … in this instance, I think both sides are smart enough to figure out what that is.
By bryce on Feb 22, 2012 | Reply
GA503 :”For the love of God’ ??..Sounds Chris Farley-esque but effective !…