Welker to Denver on 2-year deal

Submitted by jonvalk on
What does this mean to Brady's efficiency? Welker has been his favorite target for years.

dc22

March 13th, 2013 at 5:20 PM ^

I agree. There has to be another aspect to this decision, if that is the deal he is accepting. It could also be a respect thing - maybe he felt that the patriots were not giving him as much respect as the two TEs despite his phenomenal numbers. The franchise tag, limiting him in some of the early games last year etc. might have contributed to this decision.

Drunk Uncle

March 13th, 2013 at 5:18 PM ^

I thought Denver needed defense and they reached their cap limit with WR and OL. These guys will certainly help Manning, but did anybody else see the safety Buckner the Ravens game?

turtleboy

March 13th, 2013 at 5:26 PM ^

Belicik running everybody off just like always. Brady wanted him around, Kraft wanted him there for life, Brady restructured his contract to give the team money back. It's all about business to Bill, though. He only caught 118 passes last year, averaging a first down each time. Now Peyton can have 3x 1,000 yard receivers returning next year. 

Butterfield

March 13th, 2013 at 5:41 PM ^

From ProFootballTalk:

  • Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com spoke to a source close to Brady who described Brady as “enraged.” The words “disgrace” and “disservice” were also used to describe the way Brady (who apparently was under the impression that he had helped the Patriots save enough cap space to keep Welker) felt about learning that the Patriots wouldn’t even offer Welker enough money to keep him from signing a two-year, $12 million contract with the Broncos. 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/13/report-tom-brady-enraged-patriots-let-wes-welker-go/ 

jonvalk

March 13th, 2013 at 5:56 PM ^

For the record, I am a huge Pats fan and I'm pissed that this happened.  I can only hope that they know something everyone else doesn't.  They've been good at building through free-agency and the draft, both, so we'll see when the time comes.

Perkis-Size Me

March 13th, 2013 at 6:04 PM ^

Even more of a reason to bring in Denard now. He's a solid 3rd-4th round pick that Belichek can bring in as a potential replacement for Welker and be yet another X-factor in that Patriot offense. And having the best QB in the NFL throwing to him will automatically him better.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

March 13th, 2013 at 6:13 PM ^

a slot with better speed and size, but not the craftiness. I think they'll draft a speedster like Swope or Tavon.

Denard is not a wild idea as Bill likes tough, versatile guys. DR also lets them take a safety in Rd 1 and DR in a subsequent round.

Buck Killer

March 13th, 2013 at 6:17 PM ^

He has been dropping a ton of balls in key games. Bill is pretty wise, so I bet he has a plan.

JohnnyV123

March 13th, 2013 at 6:40 PM ^

Danny Amendola I think could become a big thing for the Pats. He's flown a bit under the radar but shown flashes of brilliance and New England seems to get the most out of those type of players. Still must hurt a lot to lose Welker.

M-Wolverine

March 13th, 2013 at 7:30 PM ^

They just seem to discard and plug in players, acquire draft pics to acquire more draft picks, but they don't really seem like they're building anything. You think they'd be going all out with a QB and coach on the backend of their careers, but seem to be treading water.

Hagen

March 13th, 2013 at 7:38 PM ^

Five years, 31 million, 10 million guaranteed. 

For those math majors, his average year will be 6.2 million a year.  Welker is getting 6 million a year for only two years.  More money over more years (I know he's younger, but he hasn't done what Welker has in his career), I can't help but wonder if this is Belichick making a point?

I wonder how Tom feels?

Butterfield

March 13th, 2013 at 8:02 PM ^

Amendola's stats are pretty dang similar to what Welker's were with Miami before he joined New England and teamed up with Brady.  Both had large number of catches but a low average per reception in their last non-injury shortened season with their previous teams.  It will be interesting to see if Amendola's YPC will move to Welker levels. 

jonvalk

March 13th, 2013 at 8:24 PM ^

I hope that's the case. If Amendola comes in and puts up Welker-type performances, we'll have a pretty good idea why the Pats were willing to let Wes go. For Tom's sake, I hope they hook him up with another quality receiver in the draft. They owe him some spending on his receivers for once. I'd love it if they were able to drop Lloyd and pick up a Jennings or Cruz.

jdub55

March 13th, 2013 at 9:37 PM ^

Kinda strange the Patriots wouldn't match the offer since it was only two million more than theirs? I think I remember early last year they were giving Edelman a lot of Welkers snaps until it became clear he wasn't able to handle that role.

I think Amendola has potential to be like Welker when healthy but he just can't stay healthy. And Gronkowski and Hernandez are already made of glass.