Wes Welker took a leap of faith when he signed his franchise tag tender in May. On Monday, the deadline for franchised players to sign a deal for more than their one-year franchise figure, his leap landed with a splat and without a lucrative long-term contract, his show of good faith in the Patriots going unrewarded.
Welker dropped the ball on these negotiations (insert bon mot about his reception gone awry in Super Bowl XLVI here). He sacrificed his leverage the same way he has so selflessly sacrificed his body over the middle the last five seasons, signing his $9.515 million franchise tender two months ago.
Comments
Look Gasper...he dropped the BIG Super Bowl pass...that's a BB no-no. He then threatened to sit out OTA'a. His Agent should NEVER have let him sign the Franchise Tag. That's HIS fault, not BB's. One way or the other, he's a rich man...how rich will depend on how healthy he is, how well he plays, and how far the Pats go into the playoffs. Your WRONG about the 2007 comparisom...this is now a YOUNG team. Sure, we all wish him well, but business is business. Remember, this is not the NBA.
Tough to feel bad for slot receiver making $9.5m. How do you give a 2 yr deal at that level for a receiver who relies on quickness and who's approaching 33 after this year ? You can't win consistently if your strategy is to pay based on loyalty. Pats make shrewd move once again. Do you want loyalty rewarded or consistent winning teams. I like move a lot. Outstanding fiscal discipline.
If Wes had caught "the pass" and the Pats won the Superbowl they could not deny him. But he dropped it. True the pass wasn't perfect - but it was catchable. Watch the video on You Tube. He had it... And then he dropped it. Great player and tough as nails. But that was his moment.