Wes Welker

**Bazooka Joe** · 01-30-2012, 05:12 PM

Here is a guy that will be available as a UFA. Why does his name not come up as a WR to sign?

**ActualSpamBot** · 01-30-2012, 05:19 PM

Because he's a system guy who will likely never leave the team that made him a star.

**s.r.genovese** · 01-30-2012, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Bazooka Joe

Here is a guy that will be available as a UFA. Why does his name not come up as a WR to sign?

I don't think anyone expects the Patriots to let him get away. Even if they did he would demand top dollar so we couldn't afford him.

**bacchys** · 01-30-2012, 05:20 PM

He wouldn't fit well with our system and we have a bigger, stronger version of Welker in Boldin.

I don't know why there isn't more talk nationally of him as an FA. Perhaps most teams/sportswriters assume the Pats will make sure he stays put. Perhaps he's already told his agent not to field other offers.

**GOTA** · 01-30-2012, 05:21 PM

Because he'll never hit the market. I heard him say today that after the Super Bowl they will get a deal done with the Patriots. The Saints free agents are a lot more realistic because they can't keep them all. Welker and Branch are both staying with the Pats

**arnie_uk** · 01-30-2012, 05:22 PM

he will retire a patriot, and he would never fit our system

**The Excellector** · 01-30-2012, 05:26 PM

Why would Welker leave a perennial playoff contender, with Tom Brady throwing him 100 passes a season? He knows what it is like to be in a bad situation (Miami) and he is not going back.

**SPRavensFan** · 01-30-2012, 05:28 PM

He'd cost too much money and would probably end up a bust here. Pass.

**leachisabeast** · 01-30-2012, 05:38 PM

He's a great player, but as others have said, he wouldn't fit our system. And tbh I think Boldin would be just as productive if he was in Welkers position for the Patriots.

**esmd** · 01-30-2012, 05:47 PM

Big ticket FA's just aren't a smart way to build a team. For every Drew Brees, Deion Sanders, or Reggie White, there are 100 Albert Haynesworth's, Asomugha's, Alvin Harper's, Scott Mitchell's, Elvis Grbac's (ouch!), etc. The Ravens are usually pretty smart in that they realize they're better to keep the best of what they have, and go out and scout new blood to fill out most holes in the roster.

**bacchys** · 01-30-2012, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by arnie_uk

he will retire a patriot...

The Patriots have never shown any shyness about kicking players to the curb when they're done with them. It wouldn't surprise me to see him finish out his career elsewhere.

**Ravenswintitle** · 01-30-2012, 05:59 PM

The other thing about the Pats (and the Ravens too for that matter) is they'll likely let him test out the market, see what kind of offer he can get, and then counter just a little lower. He can go make more somewhere else or stay where he knows he'll be taken care of. They did the same with Randy Moss; wouldn't expect anything different here.