Wes Welker to the Pats?

[terpfan]

OMG the Patriots are trying to buy a championship!!!11

[RocketsDWM]

OMG the Patriots are trying to buy a championship!!!11

Just trying a different approach since they have already won the hard way

[Kensat30]

A return specialist like Welker is a great asset to any team. But Welker in particular has the ability to become an impact player if he can develop into a WR#2 for the Pat's.

Bottomline, special teams aren't a factor for a lot of fantasy players, but they can play a big part in who wins the actual games. Personally, I think kickers and return men are the most undervalued players in the game right now (behind coaches). Stat guys have made seperate categories for "big" plays over 20 yards and good return guys can average close to that every time they touch the ball!

Just look at what Devon Hester did for the Bear's last season. I think the addition of Welker is going to add 1 or 2 wins for the Pat's in '07 just based on his return ability. If he blossoms as a WR, who knows what kind of impact player he could become.
$5 mil a year is not that big of a deal if he ends up capturing that WR#2 role down the road. Escalating cap numbers make these types of contracts more and more reasonable if you figure the release or resign ultimatum that is becoming more and more common a few years down the road.

[FF Newbie]

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.

I'm in a league just like this (except ours is 1 point/25 return yards instead of 1 point/20) and Welker was around the #20 WR all year long. On top of that, he was the most CONSISTENT WR in the entire league. He was good for 4-5 catches, 40-60 yards and 100 return yards every game. Fortunately, I DRAFTED him in the 15th round.

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.

I think Welker's value is about the same in New England as it is in Miami. Those expecting a "breakout" performance from Welker this year are going to be disappointed. LAST YEAR was Welker's breakout year. You missed the boat. He might equal last year's numbers, but he won't far exceed them, so you won't be getting a lot of value by drafting him this year.

[BigDballer]

Rofl You got to be kidding me? Miami will gladly take a 2nd rounder for that player.

[WessWackos]

I picked up Wes on a whim last year. in my Dynasty League..my name is Wes and I rock so what the heck ya know?

I think Welker will improve quite a bit playing for the Pats. They have a very good D that will keep other teams punting (especially with the signing of Thomas), their offense is better than Miami's (making other teams take the chance of scoring more)

With these two factors I think Welker will get more balls to return, he'll be closer to the endzone (more scores? worked for Hester), and he'll have a QB that can actually deliver the ball when he's in at WR.

Plus Plus Plus for Welker......glad I didn't drop him

[sox 06]

He's a good WR, good returner, but he's not a $38 million WR/returner.

[evil_monkey]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/w ... index.html

the deal has been done, no offer sheet, traded for 2nd and 7th round picks this year

[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.

I think Welker's value is about the same in New England as it is in Miami. Those expecting a "breakout" performance from Welker this year are going to be disappointed. LAST YEAR was Welker's breakout year. You missed the boat. He might equal last year's numbers, but he won't far exceed them, so you won't be getting a lot of value by drafting him this year.

Hey, I didn't miss the boat... I had Welker in both of my leagues last year.

I'm looking for a breakout in the traditional WR sense. I realize he's broken out as a return man... I'm looking at something like 900 yards 8 TDs next year. I'm just not sure if he'd be able to achieve these numbers with the Pats.

[Kilroy]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/w ... index.html

the deal has been done, no offer sheet, traded for 2nd and 7th round picks this year

Well that's a fair bit smarter than giving up a second rounder and 38 million bucks.

I wonder what effect this has on the Patriots' alleged interest in Randy Moss?