The “Patriot Way” is a term we hear a lot when watching football shows like NFL Live, NFL gameday and exc. Mainly because a lot of the former Patriots always bring it up from Tedy Bruschi to Rodney Harrison, Bruschi is the main corprate. Sometimes it can make you sick on how they pick on certain players saying they don’t fit into the Patriots blueprint.
We all know it’s the Patriots way or the highway. This has been a very successful franchise so you can’t knock it right? If you as the player do everything right shouldn’t you be rewarded?
This brings us to the case of Wes Welker, he was franchised tagged by the Pats. Welker struggled on whether he should sign the tender or not. The reason being is he wants a long-term contract with the team. Reports from Welker’s camp say since he has signed his tender the long-term deal talks have become further and further apart. The sad thing is Welker had faith that they would do right by him since he has been one of their most consistent players since he was traded for in 2007. This year he will receive 9.5 million guaranteed but after this year if no deal has been agreed upon who knows what can happen next year.
The Pats got Welker from the Dolphins for an 2nd and 7th round pick in the 07 draft, which turned out to be highway robbery with the way Welker has performed with the Pats. The Pats immediately signed Welker to a 5 year 18.1 million dollar contract with a 9 million dollar signing bonus. During his 5 years with the Pats Welker has tallied 554 receptions, 6105 yards and 31 touchdowns. Those numbers have giving Welker countless awards: Pro Bowl 4x, All Pro 2x and led the league in receptions 2x. (x=times) To say the least he has drastically out performed that contract.
I understand why the Pats front office my be hesitant on giving the 31-year-old receiver big money over the long-term because he does have some short comings when you dig deeper than the monster stats he puts up year in and year out. Welker is a small receiver, who is more of a possession receiver than a big play guy. Welker isn’t cut in the mold of Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald or Megatron just to name a few who can just go up in get the ball. Welker has great hands and a chain mover, a lot of his receptions substitute for the lack of running game, he’s Brady’s main target.
Honestly the Pats system has allowed the Wes to strive and he has done a great with his opportunity year in and year out. Welker should be compensated for the work he has put in with at least a 3 or 4 year deal. I think Wes would be happy with that but I have a feeling that the Patriot brass are not going to take care of him because of his short comings. If you are not Tom Brady you are not safe ask Richard Seymour it’s the Patriot Way.
No way they would let Welker walk. He’s the only form of stability that they have. He’s like a crutch for Brady. The shelf life of most receivers goes to about age 34. So resigning him makes sense. However since he plays in the slot most of the time he can play until he’s about 38.
We know the Pats can get cheap. Will they pay him what he wants? Brady doesn’t want him to go but the higher ups?
The #patriotway lol.