Aaron Hernandez re-signed by the Patriots (1 Viewer)

[Phlash]

As a Patriots fan... pretty damn excited. Hernandez and Gronk are both so freakishly skilled and complement each other so well it would be a shame to see either leave. Looks like we got him for a long time now

 

[lbouchard]

Love it as a Pats fan. But also, this probably means that Welker is gone.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Love it as a Pats fan. But also, this probably means that Welker is gone.

The franchise tag for WRs isn't all that high. They should easily be able to afford Welker next year.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Love it as a Pats fan. But also, this probably means that Welker is gone.

IMO, Welker was already gone. The Pats made that clear by tagging him and not being willing to negotiate a new deal. The signing of Lloyd was the writing on the wall.Good move though. Teams are going to have to draft and gameplan specifically to defend Gronk and Hernandez. Very tough to do. Almost have to go nickel or dime all the time but with an additional big safety instead of a CB.

 

[Phlash]

Could this be the first season in which two TEs from the same team get 1000+ yards?

 

[mr roboto]

Could this be the first season in which two TEs from the same team get 1000+ yards?

Yes.

 

[meyerj31]

Yea, Welker's gone. Tagging him again cost them $12-13M. The Pats aren't going to lay out 10% of their cap for a slot receiver. Let's not forget Welker was nothing special until he came to the Pats. I'm a believer that the QB makes the WR much, much more than the other way around.

 

[12punch]

Yea, Welker's gone. Tagging him again cost them $12-13M. The Pats aren't going to lay out 10% of their cap for a slot receiver. Let's not forget Welker was nothing special until he came to the Pats. I'm a believer that the QB makes the WR much, much more than the other way around.

I think belichick disagrees with you on welker's ability

 

[Da Guru]

Yea, Welker's gone. Tagging him again cost them $12-13M. The Pats aren't going to lay out 10% of their cap for a slot receiver. Let's not forget Welker was nothing special until he came to the Pats. I'm a believer that the QB makes the WR much, much more than the other way around.

Welker would not come close to the stats he puts up in NE anywhere else. WW should have lowered his demands and signed a 3-4 year deal with the Pats..he still might because there will not be a big market for him as a UFA.

 

[Shutout]

Yea, Welker's gone. Tagging him again cost them $12-13M. The Pats aren't going to lay out 10% of their cap for a slot receiver. Let's not forget Welker was nothing special until he came to the Pats. I'm a believer that the QB makes the WR much, much more than the other way around.

I think belichick disagrees with you on welker's ability

Yeah, I'm not a big follower so I migh be wrong on this but I thought Welker used to torture the Pats and Belichick actually said once that when he came on the FA market, he made sure to go after him (can't beat 'em...kind of thought).

 

[PatsWillWin]

Yeah, you guys are right, Welker's a replaceable part who would be nothing were it not for Brady, that's why they're paying him $9.5 million to play for the Patriots this year.

 

[David Yudkin]

As far as Welker goes, if Brady wants him back, he will be back . . . even at the $11M franchise number.

 

[ShaqAttaq]

Yea, Welker's gone. Tagging him again cost them $12-13M. The Pats aren't going to lay out 10% of their cap for a slot receiver. Let's not forget Welker was nothing special until he came to the Pats. I'm a believer that the QB makes the WR much, much more than the other way around.

I think belichick disagrees with you on welker's ability

Yeah, I'm not a big follower so I migh be wrong on this but I thought Welker used to torture the Pats and Belichick actually said once that when he came on the FA market, he made sure to go after him (can't beat 'em...kind of thought).

they traded for him. My link

 

[TheFootballJesus]

Am I alone in thinking that Edelman can probably provide 75% of welker's production at a fraction of the cost?

 

[OnTheReg]

As far as Welker goes, if Brady wants him back, he will be back . . . even at the $11M franchise number.

I'm a Pats homer, and I think that's an extremely naive way of looking at it. Belichick is going to spend $11 million next year on a guy just because Brady wants him back? They're already locked in with Gronk, Lloyd, and now Hernandez. If it makes sense financially, yes, but not on the basis that Brady wants him. Of course Brady would want him back, why wouldn't he?

 

[12punch]

Yea, Welker's gone. Tagging him again cost them $12-13M. The Pats aren't going to lay out 10% of their cap for a slot receiver. Let's not forget Welker was nothing special until he came to the Pats. I'm a believer that the QB makes the WR much, much more than the other way around.

I think belichick disagrees with you on welker's ability

Yeah, I'm not a big follower so I migh be wrong on this but I thought Welker used to torture the Pats and Belichick actually said once that when he came on the FA market, he made sure to go after him (can't beat 'em...kind of thought).

they traded for him. My link

I believe he was rfa

 

[Sweet Love]

Yea, Welker's gone. Tagging him again cost them $12-13M. The Pats aren't going to lay out 10% of their cap for a slot receiver. Let's not forget Welker was nothing special until he came to the Pats. I'm a believer that the QB makes the WR much, much more than the other way around.

Welker would not come close to the stats he puts up in NE anywhere else. WW should have lowered his demands and signed a 3-4 year deal with the Pats..he still might because there will not be a big market for him as a UFA.

Depends...if Welker gets his $9.5mill this year and gets tagged again in 2013 at $11mill, he is then at over $20mill, probably lower than he would have had guaranteed if he lowered his asking price for a longer deal with NE. Now, he is in a position (if he can have a productive year and remain relatively healthy) to be able to get $20+million in two year and in 2014, he either signs a deal with the Pats with a little guaranteed money, or cashes in on the FA market OR possibly takes the third franchise tag and get over $30 million...it is a tad risky for 2012, but he at least breaks even if he gets through this year.

 

[David Yudkin]

As far as Welker goes, if Brady wants him back, he will be back . . . even at the $11M franchise number.

I'm a Pats homer, and I think that's an extremely naive way of looking at it. Belichick is going to spend $11 million next year on a guy just because Brady wants him back? They're already locked in with Gronk, Lloyd, and now Hernandez. If it makes sense financially, yes, but not on the basis that Brady wants him. Of course Brady would want him back, why wouldn't he?

Again, if welker has another excellent season, there is no reason NOT to pay him $11 million. Brady has utilized and targeted him more and more with each proceeding season (except when Welker came back early from major knee surgery). In the past, Brady has gone ballistic about who his receivers were, and given the lay of the land, I'm telling you, if Brady goes nuts they will bring Welker back.Now, if they can persuade Brady that they will be fine without Welker or have a Plan B (like bringing in a younger stud WR for less money), then I can see Welker leaving. But . . . absent of something like that I doubt Welker just gets tossed aside.Speaking of Welker, people make it out like the Pats made no effort to re-sign him, which is not true. They tried and could not agree on a deal and were not that far off (at least from what I have seen). So the conclusion by many is they didn't want him or won't use him or won't try to sign him, etc. and I think that is not the way it really is.

 

[David Yudkin]

Hernandez signed a 5 year, $40 million extension with a $12.5 million signing bonus and $16.4 million guaranteed.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Hernandez signed a 5 year, $40 million extension with a $12.5 million signing bonus and $16.4 million guaranteed.

What did Gronk get?

 

[David Yudkin]

Hernandez signed a 5 year, $40 million extension with a $12.5 million signing bonus and $16.4 million guaranteed.

What did Gronk get?

IIRC, 8 years, $55.23 million. $8 million signing bonus, $18 million guaranteed.

 

[matttyl]

Hernandez signed a 5 year, $40 million extension with a $12.5 million signing bonus and $16.4 million guaranteed.

What did Gronk get?

IIRC, 8 years, $55.23 million. $8 million signing bonus, $18 million guaranteed.

This is correct, but $5M of that $18 is for "injury only" which I don't fully get.Another comparable might be Vernon Davis - 6 years $42.7M, $23M guaranteed including a $10M signing bonus. Is the "signing bonus" included in Hernandez' "$16.4M guaranteed" number?

 

[12punch]

Yeah, but i think 2 of the 8 were part of the existing deal

 

[12punch]

Hernandez signed a 5 year, $40 million extension with a $12.5 million signing bonus and $16.4 million guaranteed.

What did Gronk get?

IIRC, 8 years, $55.23 million. $8 million signing bonus, $18 million guaranteed.

This is correct, but $5M of that $18 is for "injury only" which I don't fully get.Another comparable might be Vernon Davis - 6 years $42.7M, $23M guaranteed including a $10M signing bonus. Is the "signing bonus" included in Hernandez' "$16.4M guaranteed" number?

Injury only means they can cut him if he sucks and they're off the hook

 

[Coeur de Lion]

As far as Welker goes, if Brady wants him back, he will be back . . . even at the $11M franchise number.

I'm a Pats homer, and I think that's an extremely naive way of looking at it. Belichick is going to spend $11 million next year on a guy just because Brady wants him back? They're already locked in with Gronk, Lloyd, and now Hernandez. If it makes sense financially, yes, but not on the basis that Brady wants him. Of course Brady would want him back, why wouldn't he?

Again, if welker has another excellent season, there is no reason NOT to pay him $11 million. Brady has utilized and targeted him more and more with each proceeding season (except when Welker came back early from major knee surgery). In the past, Brady has gone ballistic about who his receivers were, and given the lay of the land, I'm telling you, if Brady goes nuts they will bring Welker back.Now, if they can persuade Brady that they will be fine without Welker or have a Plan B (like bringing in a younger stud WR for less money), then I can see Welker leaving. But . . . absent of something like that I doubt Welker just gets tossed aside.Speaking of Welker, people make it out like the Pats made no effort to re-sign him, which is not true. They tried and could not agree on a deal and were not that far off (at least from what I have seen). So the conclusion by many is they didn't want him or won't use him or won't try to sign him, etc. and I think that is not the way it really is.

Lot of people in here seriously underestimating Wes Welker. No kidding Brady helps his stats, but Welker hasn't been getting 10 targets / game on one of the most talented offenses in the NFL by accident. He's really, really good, and his ability to consistently get open underneath, despite the whole world knowing where Brady is looking first on 3rd and 5, has been a huge asset for the NE offense. They'll tag him again next year.

 

[Da Guru]

As far as Welker goes, if Brady wants him back, he will be back . . . even at the $11M franchise number.

I'm a Pats homer, and I think that's an extremely naive way of looking at it. Belichick is going to spend $11 million next year on a guy just because Brady wants him back? They're already locked in with Gronk, Lloyd, and now Hernandez. If it makes sense financially, yes, but not on the basis that Brady wants him. Of course Brady would want him back, why wouldn't he?

Again, if welker has another excellent season, there is no reason NOT to pay him $11 million. Brady has utilized and targeted him more and more with each proceeding season (except when Welker came back early from major knee surgery). In the past, Brady has gone ballistic about who his receivers were, and given the lay of the land, I'm telling you, if Brady goes nuts they will bring Welker back.Now, if they can persuade Brady that they will be fine without Welker or have a Plan B (like bringing in a younger stud WR for less money), then I can see Welker leaving. But . . . absent of something like that I doubt Welker just gets tossed aside.Speaking of Welker, people make it out like the Pats made no effort to re-sign him, which is not true. They tried and could not agree on a deal and were not that far off (at least from what I have seen). So the conclusion by many is they didn't want him or won't use him or won't try to sign him, etc. and I think that is not the way it really is.

Lot of people in here seriously underestimating Wes Welker. No kidding Brady helps his stats, but Welker hasn't been getting 10 targets / game on one of the most talented offenses in the NFL by accident. He's really, really good, and his ability to consistently get open underneath, despite the whole world knowing where Brady is looking first on 3rd and 5, has been a huge asset for the NE offense. They'll tag him again next year.

If they tag him again it is a win for Welker. Plus it is a good deal for the Pats not getting locked into a longer deal. A win..win.

 

[12punch]

As far as Welker goes, if Brady wants him back, he will be back . . . even at the $11M franchise number.

I'm a Pats homer, and I think that's an extremely naive way of looking at it. Belichick is going to spend $11 million next year on a guy just because Brady wants him back? They're already locked in with Gronk, Lloyd, and now Hernandez. If it makes sense financially, yes, but not on the basis that Brady wants him. Of course Brady would want him back, why wouldn't he?

Again, if welker has another excellent season, there is no reason NOT to pay him $11 million. Brady has utilized and targeted him more and more with each proceeding season (except when Welker came back early from major knee surgery). In the past, Brady has gone ballistic about who his receivers were, and given the lay of the land, I'm telling you, if Brady goes nuts they will bring Welker back.Now, if they can persuade Brady that they will be fine without Welker or have a Plan B (like bringing in a younger stud WR for less money), then I can see Welker leaving. But . . . absent of something like that I doubt Welker just gets tossed aside.Speaking of Welker, people make it out like the Pats made no effort to re-sign him, which is not true. They tried and could not agree on a deal and were not that far off (at least from what I have seen). So the conclusion by many is they didn't want him or won't use him or won't try to sign him, etc. and I think that is not the way it really is.

Lot of people in here seriously underestimating Wes Welker. No kidding Brady helps his stats, but Welker hasn't been getting 10 targets / game on one of the most talented offenses in the NFL by accident. He's really, really good, and his ability to consistently get open underneath, despite the whole world knowing where Brady is looking first on 3rd and 5, has been a huge asset for the NE offense. They'll tag him again next year.

If they tag him again it is a win for Welker. Plus it is a good deal for the Pats not getting locked into a longer deal. A win..win.

a win for welker would be getting a 4 yr deal with a fat signing bonus and some g-jack

 

[Billy Bats]

From the Boston Herald, Hernandez apparently left practice early today but they dont know why.

Any info?

 

[ponchsox]

FOXBORO -- Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Steve Gregory and Visanthe Shiancoe were all missing for the start of Patriots practice on Sunday afternoon in full pads outside Gillette Stadium.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez was also absent, though he was spotted in team stretching exercises before leaving early without a team trainer.

 

[Twenty-Four Eighty-Four]

FOXBORO -- Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Steve Gregory and Visanthe Shiancoe were all missing for the start of Patriots practice on Sunday afternoon in full pads outside Gillette Stadium.Tight end Aaron Hernandez was also absent, though he was spotted in team stretching exercises before leaving early without a team trainer.

Just read something similar. Waiting on what the issue was.