Report: Welker has reservations about role with Patriots

[JPBoston]

Wes Welker, now an un-tagged soon to be full-blown unrestricted free agent, has reservations about his role with the Patriots, according to a report.

The Patriots' star receiver caught a team-high 118 passes this past season, but was upset about his season-low five targets in the opener against the Tennessee Titans, according to Yahoo! Sports, which cites a source close to Welker.

At the time, the Patriots were favoring wide receiver Julian Edelman in the offense, which led to an epic debate about Welker's role as a prominent piece of the offense and Edelman's rise on the team. The situation changed after Edelman hurt his hand in a Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He missed three games and Welker's receptions rose significantly in the weeks ahead. But apparently the issue stuck with him.

From Yahoo --

That bit of tweaking stuck in Welker's craw all season. So did the notion that if tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski hadn't both gotten hurt at different times, there's a strong belief that Welker would have been limited to far fewer than the 118 receptions he finished with last season. In short, there's a little paranoia in the Welker camp these days about his role with the Pats.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal..._welker_h.html

[bagwell368]

98.5 just said the Pats/Welker should be signed by the 12th.

Multi year deal per Giardi.

[bagwell368]

Giardi - CSNNE

Wes Welker and the Patriots are closing in on a multi-year contract that would allow Welker to finish his career in New England. An NFL source tells Mike Giardi that the two sides are hoping to have something finalized before the onset of free agency on March 12.

According to the source, the two sides have come to the understanding that they are far better with one another than without.

Unlike last year when Welker took what he called a "leap of faith" by accepting the team's franchise tender in the hopes that a long term deal would be worked out, this time the two sides are -- according to the source -- far more willing to compromise than at the same point last year.

More to come . . .

[RateSports]

Giardi - CSNNE

Wes Welker and the Patriots are closing in on a multi-year contract that would allow Welker to finish his career in New England. An NFL source tells Mike Giardi that the two sides are hoping to have something finalized before the onset of free agency on March 12.

According to the source, the two sides have come to the understanding that they are far better with one another than without.

Unlike last year when Welker took what he called a "leap of faith" by accepting the team's franchise tender in the hopes that a long term deal would be worked out, this time the two sides are -- according to the source -- far more willing to compromise than at the same point last year.

More to come . . .

Mike Florio reports that we will replace Welker with Amendola next Tuesday

http://nesn.com/2013/03/report-patri...anny-amendola/

I personally despise Florio and think he is off the mark, just thought Id post it, even though I actually believe Welker is signed long-term more now, because of this.

[JPBoston]

Didn't get a chance to add my two cents as I was in a rush, but the article I linked to seemed like a lot of hot-air from somebody -- either an overzealous writer or Welker's camp posturing... or a mix of the two.

Like Bags already posted --- 98.5 is now reporting a deal is close, so hopefully it will become a moot point soon enough.

[bagwell368]

Mike Florio reports that we will replace Welker with Amendola next Tuesday

http://nesn.com/2013/03/report-patri...anny-amendola/

I personally despise Florio and think he is off the mark, just thought Id post it, even though I actually believe Welker is signed long-term more now, because of this.

Florio is a dink, and that report was earlier.

[KingsnQueens7]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/n...mendola-030513

Heres another one. I'm a Jets fan and here is my take:

You guys are in play to get Revis if we are unable to get him signed, or if we trade him and that team is unable to get him signed. I'm not sure how much money you guys will have, but Brady took a nice discount and signing Amendola cheap to replace Welker or whoever is excellent, he can produce the same way Welker did in your system and will come cheaper.

I think you guys sign Revis if our ******* GM fails to do so.

[hugepatsfan]

The Jets would never trade Revis to us. I do think BB would pay top dollar for Revis if given the chance. If he thought he could fit it under the cap next offseason and still have a team he believes to be a top SB contender I don't think the defensive genius in him could resist.

[KingsnQueens7]

The Jets would never trade Revis to us. I do think BB would pay top dollar for Revis if given the chance. If he thought he could fit it under the cap next offseason and still have a team he believes to be a top SB contender I don't think the defensive genius in him could resist.

I never said the Jets would trade Revis to you guys - I just think the Patriots would be a major player in the hunt if he hits free agency.

[BradyIsTheMan12]

I think Revis is the best corner in the game when healthy, but I have a hard time believing that the Pats would give him the money that he covets. Obviously corner has been an issue for the Pats, but using that much cap space on one corner just doesn't mesh with what the Pats typically do in roster construction.

[bagwell368]

I never said the Jets would trade Revis to you guys - I just think the Patriots would be a major player in the hunt if he hits free agency.

Too much baggage with his big mouth.

[se247042]

Patriots let a younger, healthier, and similarly dominant Asante Samuel become a FA because he wasn't worth that much

So why would we pay more for an older, injured version of a guy who wants to be the highest payed DB ever

[BostonDicktator]

I just think the Patriots would be a major player in the hunt if he hits free agency.

I'll pass. If we fix our pass rush, our secondary will significantly improve.

[Patriot Pride]

Patriots let a younger, healthier, and similarly dominant Asante Samuel become a FA because he wasn't worth that much

So why would we pay more for an older, injured version of a guy who wants to be the highest payed DB ever

Healthy Revis is a lot better than Asante ever was.

We don't get him unless he wants to take a steep discount and if he hits FA healthy he might be the highest paid ever.

[Austeezy]

I could picture a Revis signing with the money we would save by passing on Talib and signing Amendola instead of Welker. Highly doubt it and think a Welker deal gets done. I trust BB won't overpay him.