As a diehard Pats fan, i was bummed to see that Wes is moving on. End of an era.

not winning superbowls.

Let's hope they reinvigorate the offense and build a better defense so we can beat the better teams at the end of the year.

To guarantee Amendola $10M and stick at 2 and $10 for Welker when he has been so much more productive and durable seems silly to me. I understand he is nearly 5 years younger but I think they made a big mistake here. I also think Welker should be rewarded in some capacity for what he provided to the team and his willingness to do whatever they ask including returning punts.

I know he has dropped some big passes recently but overall he has been a great player for the Patriots.

The Cap number.  With Wes it would have been $6 mil for each year.  For Danny they will have $10 ml to stretch over the five years, $2 mil cap plus what they determine his salary is for a given year.  I'd be surprised if his cap hit for this year is over $4 mil.

Have Belichick and the Patriots, somehow, not earned our trust at this point? Who are we to question the guy who hasn't won less than ten games in a season in, literally, a decade?

Deion Branch leaves, we win twelve games and see the AFC title game. Moss leaves, we win 14 games. Gronk misses most of the season, twelve wins and the AFC title.

Ty Law, Richard Seymour, Assante Samuel, Vinateri, they were all productive after they left and although replaced for less money, the replacements were downgrades. I can see not giving those others the big contracts, but Welker for two years at that money was a no brainer.  they could have paid him the 12m and spent big money elsewhere, like Greg Jennings or another good wideout. They could have dumped Lloyd at the same time.  Now that they gave Amendola 30m, they may just keep Lloyd.

This whole thing sucks

Just kidding, Wes will definitely be missed!

I don't agree with the "cheaper/downgrade" argument. Seymour didn't have a true replacement, as the Patriots gap assignements for the DEs hasn't been the same, but the most true replacement has been Wilfork. Law's replacement was Samuel, who was replace by McCourty (who made the Pro Bowl), and then by Arrington (who made the Pro Bowl). Gostkowski has bee the most accurate kicker in football after Vinatieri left.

If there's anyone on this team they need to pay, it's Aqib Talib, as they don't seem to have anyone currently on the roster who can fulfill his responsibilities. I don't see they spending the cash for Jennings, who turns 31 during the season.


Overall, I think we're having an emotional reaction to a decision which is in no part emotional.

Welker's camp stated that they would get 8-9 mil per year, not 5 or 6.  Pat's moved on then.  One should not call, when one does not have a winning hand.

Hopefully that throws 2.5 into better defense.

I loved watching Wes catch then duck tackles. It made the game fast and exciting. He was the best never say die player the Pat's have had in many years.

I hope he can make a good connection with Manning and continue his stellar career. (As long as we stil beat the Broncos in the playoffs.)