This Relationship Is Over.
When news broke yesterday that the Broncos were scooping up Wes Welker to the tune of 2 years and $12 million, I couldn’t wrap my head around why the Patriots wouldn’t have given Welker that or more during negotiations. Later on we found out that the Patriots’ final offer was 2 years, $10 million with incentives that would push it to $15 million. Welker felt the incentives were a bit tougher to reach that he felt and so he moved on.
Well, it didn’t take the Patriots long to make their move. In fact, their move was already basically done. They signed Danny Amendola for 5 years and $31 million with $10 mill guaranteed. So the Patriots didn’t want to keep the most productive wide receiver in the NFL for $6 mill a year but were comfortable handing potentially $31 million to a guy who can’t stay healthy. And why? Because he’s 27, Welker is 31 and Bill Belichick is a genius, that’s about it.
You know how I feel about the Patriots. They are the cream of the crop in terms of the way the team is run. The fans, however, are a completely different story. And boy did they show up yesterday in support of their team. In typical Patriots fashion they said all the right things about Welker but then immediately pointed to how this signing was so much better than brining back the guy that has made their offense so successful over the past few years.
Don’t believe me? Have a look.
From Boston Barstool: ”Listen I love Wes Welker. I already said that. But in my opinion Danny Amendola is better than him at this point in his career. This was an upgrade for the Pats. That’s why I never worry or question anything Belichick does. He’s a machine. The man ALWAYS has a plan.”
Or this from a crazed Patriots Fan:
@stanto68 @si_peterking not saying he won’t, but he won’t lead the league anymore mark my words amendola will….
— Seth Wyatt (@sethwyatt52) March 14, 2013
I mean, had the ink even dried on the contracts? (By the way, you want to see some ridiculous stuff, check out the full list of tweets from the guy above. I’m not hating but the guy is Patriots delusional!
And Finally, from Masshole Sports: “Welker was probably so pissed off that the Patriots had the gall to offer him only $5 million a year, that he wanted to stick it up their ass and sign for a mere $1 million more per year. There is no way the Patriots are that friggin cheap to let him walk for $1 million a year. No way. They would have matched that offer, no doubt it my mind.”
Really? You mean, because the guy wanted to be paid like the most reliable WR in the game and Patriots wanted him to take the hometown discount, it’s his fault? Even after Brady took MORE money in the future so they could have more cap room this year, they still found the need to slight Welker and then turn around a sign a guy who’s been unable to stay on the field because of injuries.
Here’s your pass catchers for next year Tom Terrific: Amendola, Gronk and Hernandez. You know what they all do well? GET INJURED! Sure they’re all great players but they’ve been unable to be great recently because of injuries. In typical fashion the Pats’ fans have basically forgotten about Welker and all that he did for this team. Good job guys.
In all honesty, it’ll probably all work out and they’ll be great because that’s what happens when you are a Buffalo Bills fan.
