Pats while the iron is still hot, nab RB Sammy Morris

[riverside sluggers]

EDIT:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

 

The Pats have officially announced the signings of three players:

 

Linebacker Adalias Thomas, running back Sammy Morris, and tight end Kyle Brady. They're now courting free agent wide receiver Wes Welker who caught 67 passes last year for Miami

[riverside sluggers]

NFL.com's Adam Schefter reports the Patriots' offer sheet to restricted free agent Wes Welker will be for seven years and $38.5 million.

 

Once Welker signs the offer, Miami will have seven days to decide whether to match. It's doubtful they will, as they'll get a second-round pick for letting him walk. Welker can return kicks and has sure hands, but isn't a deep threat and stands 5-9. This market is getting out of control.

 

Damn... no doubt he would be a good pickup but the Pats giving him 7 years/$38.5 million after his career year of 687 yards?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Damn... no doubt he would be a good pickup but the Pats giving him 7 years/$38.5 million after his career year of 687 yards?

 

Any idea how much of that is bonus money ( ie. guaranteed ) ?

[ARod2212]

But they couldn't keep Branch?

[schillingouttheks]

But they couldn't keep Branch?

 

Go figure.

[SuperManny]

But they couldn't keep Branch?

 

I've heard that the overall number amount of the contract isn't real but is there just so that Miami won't match the offer. The NFL has the "poison pill" clause that can be added to restricted FA's offers in order to make it so the original team won't accept it.

 

From what I've heard, Welkers contract is going to escalate a ton (to around $20M) in the final year and it becomes automatic if he plays 5 games in Miami in one season. Basically if he plays for Miami its automatic and if he plays for NE it won't kick in. Its the same thing the Vikings did with Hutchenson which is why Seattle let him go because they didn't want to guarentee $49M.

[jacksonianmarch]

what the vikings did with Hutchinson was put a clause in there that if he wasnt the highest paid lineman on the team, the entire contract was guaranteed. The Hawks had Walter Jones, so they were f***ed.

[SuperManny]

what the vikings did with Hutchinson was put a clause in there that if he wasnt the highest paid lineman on the team' date=' the entire contract was guaranteed. The Hawks had Walter Jones, so they were f***ed.[/quote']

 

Right, which is what the Pats did with Welker but they said that if he plays 5 games in Miami in one season then the entire contract is guarenteed so the Dolphins would have been f***ed. Its the same thing that Seattle did to Minnesota last year with Burleson, they put it in that it would be guarenteed if he played 5 games in Minnesota.

 

The Jets put a poison pill clause in the offer to Curtis Martin which is how they got him away from the Pats.

[CrespoBlows]

Welker caught 67 balls with Daunte Culpepper, who spent every snap running for his life, and the erratic Joey Harrington, also as the number three WR.

 

He'll probably wind up with 85+ catches, and a little under 1,000 yards. He's a good number two, but he wasn't worth a number two AND $38 million.

[SuperManny]

Welker caught 67 balls with Daunte Culpepper, who spent every snap running for his life, and the erratic Joey Harrington, also as the number three WR.

 

He'll probably wind up with 85+ catches, and a little under 1,000 yards. He's a good number two, but he wasn't worth a number two AND $38 million.

 

Again, the last year of the deal is worth something like $20M, he's not going to see that last year. The actual contract is going to be worth only around $18M.

[Cocos Disciples]

Didn't Welker punt for a game against the Pats once?

[riverside sluggers]

Tip of the cap to "SuperManny", you were indeed right. The rumored $38.5 million turned out to be full of phony years & inflated salary

 

Patriots acquired Wes Welker for second and seventh-round draft picks in the 2007 draft. A long term deal has been agreed to, but is undisclosed.

 

The $39 million figure that was floated for Welker's proposed offer sheet probably included a lot of phony money and years. Since the two teams dealt directly, it won't be necessary to pay Welker so much or so creatively. Welker provides the Patriots a versatile receiver who stands a good chance at starting. He'll also return punts. Don't be surprised if Welker's solid 2006 numbers improve. Mar. 5 - 5:05 pm et

 

Wes Welker seems to be a good fit for the Patriots system. The front office is making some sound moves and its still a month away from the draft. So far the additions of Thomas, Brady, Morris, Welker and whoever they draft gives the Pats a considerable edge to win the East again

[YanksHater213]

Read in the Herald today that Belichick wants Randy Moss?

[schillingouttheks]

Read in the Herald today that Belichick wants Randy Moss?

 

Yeah that's old news. The Packers and Patriots have reportedly been interested in acquiring him. I personally would welcome here. Randy said himself that he plays well when he's happy...and I think he's actually telling the truth. I think the talent's still there he just doesn't have the heart to back it up in Oakland. How could he not be happy having Tom Brady throw him the ball and having Bill Belichick coaching him? I think he'd do great here.

[TedWilliams101]

I'd much rather get Darrell Jackson from Sea. There is speculation that the Pats might turn to him instead, possibly getting a better deal. He is just as tallented, but seems to be more professional. Randy Moss seems like a head case after what has happened the last 2 years. I'd rather a team player who we don't have to worry about.

[TheKilo]

Adalius Thomas is a fantastic signing.

 

Brady/Evans/Morris are great depth signings.

 

Anyone who views Welker as anything outside a depth move is going to be disappointed, IMO. Don't expect a worldbeater there.

[BSN07]

I'd much rather get Darrell Jackson from Sea. There is speculation that the Pats might turn to him instead' date=' possibly getting a better deal. He is just as tallented, but seems to be more professional. Randy Moss seems like a head case after what has happened the last 2 years. I'd rather a team player who we don't have to worry about.[/quote']

 

Darrell Jackson sucks and drops about as many balls as a porn star...

[See Red]

Adalius Thomas is a fantastic signing.

 

Brady/Evans/Morris are great depth signings.

 

Anyone who views Welker as anything outside a depth move is going to be disappointed, IMO. Don't expect a worldbeater there.

 

I'm not sure how much I'd like that if I was a Pats fan. A second round pick is a lot to give up for Welker, a WR that didn't even crack 700 yards last season (which was a career year) -- especially for a team that's historically been good when it comes to drafting players, and especially with a deep draft for WR's.

[riverside sluggers]

True but the same was said about the acquisition of Reche Caldwell and he easily topped his previous career season. The way I see it if Wes Welker was able to have a 67 catch/687 yard season with injured Culpepper & Joey Harrington, then he should improve with Tom Brady

[Cityofchampions33]

Darrell Jackson sucks and drops about as many balls as a porn star...

 

but was awesome on my fantasy team last year.

[Cityofchampions33]

I'm not sure how much I'd like that if I was a Pats fan. A second round pick is a lot to give up for Welker' date=' a WR that didn't even crack 700 yards last season (which was a career year) -- especially for a team that's historically been good when it comes to drafting players, and especially with a deep draft for WR's.[/quote']

 

Ehh, we owuldv'e had to give one up if we sigend him to a poison pill contract anyway. IMO, it's a good signing.

 

Welker - possession/3rd down

Jackson - talent

Caldwell - solid contributor

Gaffney - see Caldwell

 

If we get Moss/Stallworth then we have the deep threat to match. WR then actually becomesone of our strengths

[BSN07]

Welker is a younger Wayne Cherbet, he has all those intangables and plays special teams. We gave up a 2nd/7th rounder for him yes but he is more of a proven commodity then a reciever you might get in those rounds. Plus we have 2 1st rounders, so we are already going to be paying big money for those two. Trading the 2nd rounder(usally get decent money not huge) will give us more money to use towards FA or whoever else.

[BSN07]

And the only way they get Moss is if OAK will take a 3rd or 4th round pick for him, and if he will restructure his contract. But I am up for trying to get him.

[schillingouttheks]

I want them to make 1 of 2 of the following deals with Oakland:

 

1) Get Randy Moss. I don't know how, just get him.

2) Trade our 2 first round picks for the number 1 pick and draft Calvin Johnson.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I want them to make 1 of 2 of the following deals with Oakland:

 

1) Get Randy Moss. I don't know how, just get him.

2) Trade our 2 first round picks for the number 1 pick and draft Calvin Johnson.

 

1) Possibly.

2) Not a chance in hell.

[jacksonianmarch]

Welker gives them the troy brown type of receiver. The guy with the burst to break free if he needs to but with good ball possession skills. They lost their rookie who is their burner. They need a vertical guy right now. Nothing out of this world, but someone to stretch the field. That guy is Sidney Rice. I think the Pats nab him late in the 1st round and put together a receiving corps which on its own sucks, but with Brady throwing the ball will be fantasic.

[TheKilo]

I want them to make 1 of 2 of the following deals with Oakland:

 

1) Get Randy Moss. I don't know how, just get him.

2) Trade our 2 first round picks for the number 1 pick and draft Calvin Johnson.

 

Can you really see Moss in New England? The WEEidiots will be all over him when he starts to loaf.

 

Scenario #2 doesn't happen.

[schillingouttheks]

Well, if the Patriots end up signing Donte Stallworth I guess the Randy Moss talks can die down. However, I could see the Patriots being intrigued by a 1-2 punch of Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth, with Caldwell being moved somewhere else or cut so Welker could take the 3 slot. I just don't know anymore. We'll see.

 

If Stallworth doesn't even sign the Pats will probably get more serious about Moss.

[See Red]

Stallworth is another risky signing. Ain't he one strike away from a suspension or something like that?

[riverside sluggers]

Im pretty sure Stallworth will have a 4 game suspension to start the season off