Wes Welker to the Pats?

[confused_jake]

I really like the signing, Welker is definitley Belichick's type of player, especially with his versatility.

[dgan]

I really like the signing, Welker is definitley Belichick's type of player, especially with his versatility.

Yeah. He can return punts AND kickoffs!

He'll probably be their leading receiver and make me look bad -- but if this is the impact player they are adding to the passing game, it's going to be another frustrating year for Brady.

[confused_jake]

I really like the signing, Welker is definitley Belichick's type of player, especially with his versatility.

Yeah. He can return punts AND kickoffs!

He'll probably be their leading receiver and make me look bad -- but if this is the impact player they are adding to the passing game, it's going to be another frustrating year for Brady.

Well i remember in one game where he even had a couple punts and kicked an extra point.

[VaderFin]

Give me the 2nd rounder. Welker is an ok player at best. IF Miami drafts Ginn they would have a much better option in the return game and have that extra 2nd rounder. We need picks desperately. 2nd rounder come on down!!

[RocketsDWM]

I really like the signing, Welker is definitley Belichick's type of player, especially with his versatility.

Yeah. He can return punts AND kickoffs!

He'll probably be their leading receiver and make me look bad -- but if this is the impact player they are adding to the passing game, it's going to be another frustrating year for Brady.

It was a frustrating yr for Brady?

[The Lung]

From an NFL standpoint, I could see how both Miami and Pats fans are reacting to the news. Welker doesn't provide much of an impact to wins/losses, even on special teams, to warrant such a salary.

From a fantasy perspective, we have a huge sleeper here. If anybody was paying attention in the NFL playoffs, the Patriots made friggin' Jabbar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell relevant. During the regular season, even on a Miami team with horrible quarterbacking, Welker was fantasy relevant especially in point-per-reception leagues and leagues that rewards return yardage. At the end of the season:

• In my PPR league (one point per catch) that does not award return yardage, Welker was the #40 WR.
• In a standard league (no PPR) that awards 1 point per 20 return yards, Welker was the #29 WR.
• In my league that offers BOTH PPR (0.5 point per catch) and return yardage, (1 point per 20 return yards) Welker was the #15 WR.

All 10 or 12-man leagues.

Just goes to show you that league settings can make a big difference. But in the right format (PPR and return yardage) Welker could have made a BIG difference for your fantasy team. At one point in the season Welker was the #3 WR in this format! Welker likely went undrafted in nearly all leagues and people were basically able to get a top 15 WR off the waiver wire.

[Felix the Cat]

I'm disappointed with this... simply because Welker (in Miami) was one of my top fantasy WR breakout candidates. Being with the Patriots reduces his fantasy value by a lot.

[The Lung]

I'm disappointed with this... simply because Welker (in Miami) was one of my top fantasy WR breakout candidates. Being with the Patriots reduces his fantasy value by a lot.

If there's no other free agent WR signing in New England, or high draft pick used on a marquee WR, then I disagree. I think Welker could be just as much a breakout candidate in New England.

[sox 06]

I'm disappointed with this... simply because Welker (in Miami) was one of my top fantasy WR breakout candidates. Being with the Patriots reduces his fantasy value by a lot.

If there's no other free agent WR signing in New England, or high draft pick used on a marquee WR, then I disagree. I think Welker could be just as much a breakout candidate in New England.

You would think that but Brady spreads the ball out so much, this might not be the case. They didn't have a marque WR last season and there wasn't any real clear cut #1 WR between Brown/Caldwell/Gaffney/Jackson. Until the Pats get someone of Branch/CJ/AJ stature, I think this will always be the case. Sure Wekler might have a spectacular game here and there but in the end, all of the WR will be pretty much the same.

[A Fleshner Fantasy]

I'm disappointed with this... simply because Welker (in Miami) was one of my top fantasy WR breakout candidates. Being with the Patriots reduces his fantasy value by a lot.

If there's no other free agent WR signing in New England, or high draft pick used on a marquee WR, then I disagree. I think Welker could be just as much a breakout candidate in New England.

You would think that but Brady spreads the ball out so much, this might not be the case. They didn't have a marque WR last season and there wasn't any real clear cut #1 WR between Brown/Caldwell/Gaffney/Jackson. Until the Pats get someone of Branch/CJ/AJ stature, I think this will always be the case. Sure Wekler might have a spectacular game here and there but in the end, all of the WR will be pretty much the same.

well said brotha