PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Welker learns harsh lesson as Pats answer peace gesture with no contract – NFL – CBSSports.com

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Welker learns harsh lesson as Pats answer peace gesture with no contract – NFL – CBSSports.com

Here’s your “Pats screwed Welker!” take from Mike Freeman. I’m going to great lengths today not to sound like I have anything but love for Welker, but I don’t think the Patriots will cease their dominance of the AFC without him, ultimately it’s Belichick and then Brady that count the most.

Where are all those who decry the “dink and dunk” Patriots offense that Welker is the prime target of? And what about those who worship at the altar of the “deep threat”? And yes, the Pats have sucked at drafting wide receivers, but that doesn’t mean that a) they will continue to miss on every one and b) they can’t just go out and get guys in free agency like they did with Welker and Moss and everyone else not named Deion Branch or David Givens.

Welker’s signing of the tag this year, instead of potentially holding out, was an olive branch. The Patriots took that branch, applied a saw, and then ate it with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. With the Patriots declining to do a long-term deal, this is likely Welker’s last year in New England. It’s possible the Patriots could use the tag again next year but they probably won’t. In all likelihood, Welker is gone, and I think the Patriots will regret it.

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Welker’s also subject to significant questions about his value in a context outside of the Patriots system. As a nontraditional sort of player, he really only fits into a handful of offensive schemes, and the vast majority of his success has come with an elite quarterback at the helm. It’s hard to imagine Welker, say, going to Cleveland and lining up as a split end for Brandon Weeden. Players of Welker’s ilk are also relatively plentiful and cheap. Welker was undrafted, as was Danny Amendola, Welker’s replacement at Texas Tech.2 Amendola doesn’t have Welker’s ability, but he had 85 catches with Sam Bradford at the helm in 2010 while playing a Welker-esque role. When the Patriots are debating whether to give Welker a long-term deal, they have to consider the possibility that they could get 90 percent of Welker’s performance from a player like Amendola at about 10 percent of the cost. It just doesn’t make sense to give Welker a long-term deal under those circumstances.

The past and present of the dreaded franchise tag – Grantland

https://www.patspropaganda.com/welkers-also-subject-to-significant-questions/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/17428/

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Maybe this is why the Pats didn’t give Welker an extension? I kid of course.

Look, we all love watching Welker play, and with the number of receivers the Pats have developed over the years there’s no question there’s some risk should the Pats lose Welker after this year, which at this point seems probable, BUT….

There is no denying that receivers start to lose it after age thirty. Couple that with Welker’s penchant for taking huge hits where he makes his living in the middle of the field and it’s easy to see why the Pats might balk at giving him a monstrous long term contract. The risk that Welker is not the same player within the next two years is considerable and it’s not like the Pats give out big, long-term contracts anyways.

The Patriots offense is going to be built for the long-term around Gronk, and really, if you had to choose between Welker and Hernandez as the complimentary piece who are going to put your money into? To be honest I’m not even sure the lack of Welker long term deal means a long term one for Hernando next off-season, but it’s clear Welker is the riskier investment.

It’s always tough when it comes to the Pats, players we have grown to love and contracts, but the front office in Foxboro doesn’t let nostalgia get in the way of their offers. They continue to do things with a long term outlook, and ultimately that’s the thing that has kept them winning over the past decade, not loyalty to great players who have been a blast to watch.

It’s unfortunate, but it just goes to show that we should all enjoy this year of Brady and Welker together, it might not ever happen again. And that’s okay.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/maybe-this-is-why-the-pats-didnt-give-welker-an/

Bubble Watch: Trevor Scott – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

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Bubble Watch: Trevor Scott – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Since the moment we signed him I’ve been on the Trevor Scott bandwagon. I think he has a chance to be the biggest contributor of all the new comers this year.

With Mark Anderson having signed with the Bills and Andre Carter remaining a free agent as training camp approaches, Scott has the inside track to a role as an experienced veteran and edge player. Scott had 12 sacks over his first two seasons in the NFL, and like Anderson last season, the Patriots likely hope that Scott can bounce back and be disruptive in the passing game. If rookies Chandler Jones and Jake Bequette don’t make an early impact, the team could be leaning on Scott and fellow veteran Rob Ninkovich as defensive ends in their 4-3 scheme.