Kudos to New England Patriots' WR Wes Welker - On Tuesday, Welker signed his franchise tender, worth approximately $9.5 million for 2012. While to us normal peasants, $9.5 million may be considered a King's ransom, it was certainly not what the 31 year old was expecting.
Just to quantify, HOW valuable Welker is to the Pats, here's your stereotypical, blind player comparison:
From 2007 - 2011:
Player A: 463 Rec, 6,480 Yards, 49 TD, 79GP.
Player B: 554 Rec, 6,105 Yards, 31 TD, 77 GP.
Player C: 443 Rec, 5,872 Yards, 49 TD, 76 GP.
You may be able to guess that Player B is Welker. What you might not know, is Player A is Larry Fitzgerald, whose contract was 8 years, $128.5 Million (or $16 Million per year); and Player C is Calvin Johnson, worth $132 Million over 8 years ($16.5 Million per year).
Welker may not be "under the radar," but he has most certainly been one of the most valuable WR's in the NFL since 2007. He definitely more than "we like you for this year, but we need some time to decide on your future."
Despite the "insult" of the franchise tag, Welker didn't lash out at Patriots ownership. He didn't initiate a hunger strike, or a season long hold out. He simply sucked it up and took the professional way out (something the NFL has been recently deprived of).
Maybe if he doesn't get the contract he wants, he can be a personal mentor to the other brats in the league who put the game last, and their potential pay day first. DeSean Jackson, Vincent Jackson, and many others should take note.
Kudos, Wes.
