Patriots sign Welker to offer sheet

[TexanFan881]

http://fflivewire.com/Article.asp?ID=332007cau1893av

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.

A 2nd round pick for Welker? In the article it says its a steal but I don't think Welker is worth that.

 

[TexanExile]

Welker's a fun player to watch and a great guy to have on a team. I could totally see him filling the utlity-player role in NE. But you're right that the price seems a bit high when compounded with the draft pick...the salary's OK, but losing the pick (esp. to a team in your own division) seems excessive.

 

[kastofsna]

those mother****ers

 

[Dr. Toro]

Winner, prototypical system receiver, hard nosed, value in special teams. Its a late 2nd and they have two #1s, plus Chad Jackson tore his ACL. Pretty nice pickup. Especially given the fact that he was the only consistent receiver on a division rival. Pretty nice blow they struck there.

 

[kastofsna]

they didn't strike a blow at all. he's a good slot guy, but whatever, we have derek hagan who was going to play that position. and he's not a very good returnman. the biggest blow is that he just knows the team. man, if we can get a 2nd rounder for wes welker?? i love it.

 

[texasguy346]

I recall hearing some talk of Brown possibly retiring so I'm guessing Welker would fill his role as a slot receiver & return man. A second round pick is a bit steep for him, but then again NE could really use him.

 

[TexanFan881]

Update from ProFootballTalk

PATS SIGN WELKER TO OFFER SHEET

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Patriots have signed receiver Wes Welker, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet. The deal is for six years, and has a value of $38.5 million.

Though we can find nothing reported on this, our guess is that the contract contains a poison pill provision that makes it fully guaranteed under circumstances that would apply if Miami matches, but not if Welker moves to New England.

Hey, some folks around the league might not like it, but the poison pill is the law of the land until the NFL and the NFL Players Association agree to language that takes it out of the CBA. So while on one hand it might be regarded by some in the league as "dirty" to use the poison pill, the fact of the matter is that you either do what you can to be competitive, or your ass gets fired.

If the Fins don't match within seven days, the Pats will send to Miami a second-round pick, the 60th overall in the coming draft.

 

[kastofsna]

ahahahaha

wes welker is a 3rd receiver on any team. he's a slot guy and a mediocre returnman. and he's getting 38.5 million?? we're going to see a lot of teams in cap hell in a few years, sheeeeeesh.

 

[BleedTheBurntOrange]

ahahahaha

wes welker is a 3rd receiver on any team. he's a slot guy and a mediocre returnman. and he's getting 38.5 million?? we're going to see a lot of teams in cap hell in a few years, sheeeeeesh.

the patriots got within 1 minute of the super bowl with 3 3rd receivers or worse in bug eyes caldwell, texan reject gaffney, and the ageless troy brown

so i think the patriots know what theyre doing as youll watch him score on you again and again

 

[GoPats]

Welker is a solid guy, but this is a bit baffling. It's a pretty high price tag for someone of his experience and pedigree.

I've always though Welker would be a good Patriot... especially after he subbed as the 'Phins kicker in a game a couple of years back. But $38M+ is pretty pricey. Maybe it's one of those typical back-loaded NFL deals where he'll get cut before he collects the big bucks. Such is life in today's NFL, right?