Wes Welker: Asante chose money over championships (1 Viewer)

[FUBAR]

Welker is a guy I like in spite of his status as a Pat because he always seemed like a hard worker dedicated to making himself better in Miami.

He still needs to shut up. Should players around the league have accused him of turning his back on the team that gave him a chance after the Chargers cut him in favor of taking a shortcut to a championship? I doubt he'd like that, so he shouldn't be making accusations about the motivations of other players.

tell us more

 

[Jimmy James]

Welker is a guy I like in spite of his status as a Pat because he always seemed like a hard worker dedicated to making himself better in Miami.

He still needs to shut up. Should players around the league have accused him of turning his back on the team that gave him a chance after the Chargers cut him in favor of taking a shortcut to a championship? I doubt he'd like that, so he shouldn't be making accusations about the motivations of other players.

tell us more

I think we all know how Welker got to the Pats. The Dolphins tendered him. He preferred the Pats and would have signed a poison pill offer sheet. Within that context, the Pats and Dolphins worked something out. It was win-win-win for the two teams and for Welker. It could still be characterized in a different way, just as Welker is mischaracterizing what Samuel did.As far as Samuel goes, he signed with what is arguably the third most successful team of the last decade. It's not like he went to the Raiders, and it's not like it would be immediately true it was a cashing in situation even if he had gone to the Raiders.

 

[fflmonster]

anyone that thinks that welker's comment wasn't a slap in the face of eagles fan and the eagles organization in general doesn't have a brain.i ask you all this question: if another player says your favorite team has no chance of EVER winning, would you have a problem with that? that is welker did to eagle fans with his statement. PLAIN AND SIMPLE

oh, it might be construed as a slap, I doubt he meant it that way though. I just don't think he thought about what the Eagles would think, maybe he should have but (and I know this is shocking) sometimes players don't think through every possible connotation of what they say. and NO, it's not saying the Eagles have no chance of EVER winning, just as long as Samuel is there.

i TOTALLY disagree. welker thinks the eagles are a bad team and do not have a chance of winning in his eyes.he meant every word he said.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

anyone that thinks that welker's comment wasn't a slap in the face of eagles fan and the eagles organization in general doesn't have a brain.i ask you all this question: if another player says your favorite team has no chance of EVER winning, would you have a problem with that? that is welker did to eagle fans with his statement. PLAIN AND SIMPLE

oh, it might be construed as a slap, I doubt he meant it that way though. I just don't think he thought about what the Eagles would think, maybe he should have but (and I know this is shocking) sometimes players don't think through every possible connotation of what they say. and NO, it's not saying the Eagles have no chance of EVER winning, just as long as Samuel is there.

i TOTALLY disagree. welker thinks the eagles are a bad team and do not have a chance of winning in his eyes.he meant every word he said.

he didn't say the Eagles have no chance of ever winning a championship or anything close to that. you're taking a pretty simple statement "he chose money over championships" and reading a lot into it.if the Giants can win the way they did last year, the Eagles certainly could do the same. But, the Pats would have to be considered a big favorite to win another title in the next year or two.

 

[GregR_2]

it's true, isn't it?

Maybe Samuel chose money over being teamates with a guy who makes insulting public quotes about former teamates?

 

[jonessed]

I didn't realize Welker was such a punk. You don't hear him talk much. I guess it was just a matter of time.

 

[tebuckey]

Asante will join the ranks of all the other former Pats who have jumped ship for bigger paychecks, like Branch and Givens, and prove it was the system and not the player.

Ty Law is a former Patriot, who managed to lead the league in INTs, make the Pro Bowl, and score a TD against NE the year he left. I'd say Law, a CB who made the Pro Bowl in NE, is a better comparison to Samuel, a CB who made the Pro Bowl in NE, than Branch and Givens, who play on offense and never made a Pro Bowl.

Yes, but Ty Law was a pro bowler before Belichick got there. Would Asante have had success under another head coach and another system? I guess we will see.

 

[FUBAR]

Welker is a guy I like in spite of his status as a Pat because he always seemed like a hard worker dedicated to making himself better in Miami.

He still needs to shut up. Should players around the league have accused him of turning his back on the team that gave him a chance after the Chargers cut him in favor of taking a shortcut to a championship? I doubt he'd like that, so he shouldn't be making accusations about the motivations of other players.

tell us more

I think we all know how Welker got to the Pats. The Dolphins tendered him. He preferred the Pats and would have signed a poison pill offer sheet. Within that context, the Pats and Dolphins worked something out. It was win-win-win for the two teams and for Welker. It could still be characterized in a different way, just as Welker is mischaracterizing what Samuel did.As far as Samuel goes, he signed with what is arguably the third most successful team of the last decade. It's not like he went to the Raiders, and it's not like it would be immediately true it was a cashing in situation even if he had gone to the Raiders.

The fins underutilized him, and he chose championships over continuing to play for an embarrassing team. Welker isn't mischaracterizing anything. He's simply saying his team will win.

It simply astounds me that this many people are taking him to task for it, but then again, he is a Patriot.

 

[Tom Servo]

The fins underutilized him, and he chose championships over continuing to play for an embarrassing team.

Welker isn't mischaracterizing anything. He's simply saying his team will win.

...and signed an extension with that same team to get paid big $$ to play for championships. Let's not ignore that little factoid.

 

[FUBAR]

The fins underutilized him, and he chose championships over continuing to play for an embarrassing team.

Welker isn't mischaracterizing anything. He's simply saying his team will win.

...and signed an extension with that same team to get paid big $$ to play for championships. Let's not ignore that little factoid.

your point?

 

[Ron_Mexico]

He's just expressing his support and confidence with the Pats. They've always been able to sign and resign players at lower than market cost due to those players wanting it maintain a winning atmosphere. Samuel chose to go to the place with the highest contract. There's nothing wrong with that what Samuel did or Welker said.

 

[Kirby]

Link to picture of Welker's superbowl ring?

 

[GregR_2]

Link to picture of Welker's superbowl ring?

Happy to help

 

[Kit Fisto]

being an eagles fan, i took great exception to welker's comment "choose money over championships." love that championships was plural.

this is not like samuel sign with the oakland raiders or miami dolphins. the eagles have been a very good team for many years and look like they can get back to the playoffs this year.

are the ne patriots better? YES. but does that mean anything over the life of the contract? NO!

i remember the whole reggie white took the money over championships way back when.. HOW DID THAT TURN OUT?

r. white has a ring and the eagles still do not.

anyone that thinks that welker's comment wasn't a slap in the face of eagles fan and the eagles organization in general doesn't have a brain.

i ask you all this question: if another player says your favorite team has no chance of EVER winning, would you have a problem with that? that is welker did to eagle fans with his statement. PLAIN AND SIMPLE

And you in turn just insulted Raiders and Dolphins fans, who are arguably more successful franchises than Philly. By my count, the Raiders and Dolphins have each won 2 SuperBowls, while appearing in 4 and 5 apiece, respectively. I have the Eagles with 2 appearances, zero Lombardi's.Guess nobody's perfect, huh?

 

[Kit Fisto]

Maybe Welker meant AFC Championships, or even division championships? I dunno, seems like much ado about nothing.

Man, has this board gone downhill fast...

 

[massraider]

Maybe Welker meant AFC Championships, or even division championships? I dunno, seems like much ado about nothing.

Man, has this board gone downhill fast...

In what way? You don't think his comment is unusual, and worthy of discussion?

 

[massraider]

anyone that thinks that welker's comment wasn't a slap in the face of eagles fan and the eagles organization in general doesn't have a brain.i ask you all this question: if another player says your favorite team has no chance of EVER winning, would you have a problem with that? that is welker did to eagle fans with his statement. PLAIN AND SIMPLE

oh, it might be construed as a slap, I doubt he meant it that way though. I just don't think he thought about what the Eagles would think, maybe he should have but (and I know this is shocking) sometimes players don't think through every possible connotation of what they say. and NO, it's not saying the Eagles have no chance of EVER winning, just as long as Samuel is there.

i TOTALLY disagree. welker thinks the eagles are a bad team and do not have a chance of winning in his eyes.he meant every word he said.

he didn't say the Eagles have no chance of ever winning a championship or anything close to that. you're taking a pretty simple statement "he chose money over championships" and reading a lot into it.

The natural inference from that statement is negative. The ones who are reading a lot into this are the ones that have spun this into some "support for his team" line. Personally, I don't see that line being open to interpretation that much. Seems pretty straightforward.

 

[Finless]

It never stops with this team...classless as usual.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Maybe Asante chose class and integrity over championships

Maybe Wes Welker can comment on that

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

he didn't say the Eagles have no chance of ever winning a championship or anything close to that. you're taking a pretty simple statement "he chose money over championships" and reading a lot into it.

The natural inference from that statement is negative. The ones who are reading a lot into this are the ones that have spun this into some "support for his team" line. Personally, I don't see that line being open to interpretation that much. Seems pretty straightforward.

no it's not.the only inference is that money was more important to Samuel than championships. that doesn't mean that winning championships isn't important to him or that all he cares about is money.

 

[massraider]

he didn't say the Eagles have no chance of ever winning a championship or anything close to that. you're taking a pretty simple statement "he chose money over championships" and reading a lot into it.

The natural inference from that statement is negative. The ones who are reading a lot into this are the ones that have spun this into some "support for his team" line. Personally, I don't see that line being open to interpretation that much. Seems pretty straightforward.

no it's not.the only inference is that money was more important than championships. that's not negative b/c money is something that nearly everyone on this planet values pretty highly. he's already won multiple championships. most players never get that opportunity.

Come on. Are you being serious?It is negative. Run a poll, ask which one fans think players should value more, money or titles. You've read enough posts around here to know that any player that is perceived as even being remotely concerned with money gets bashed. Choosing money over winning is a common phrase, and anytime anyone uses it, it's not a compliment.

 

[GregR_2]

he didn't say the Eagles have no chance of ever winning a championship or anything close to that. you're taking a pretty simple statement "he chose money over championships" and reading a lot into it.

The natural inference from that statement is negative. The ones who are reading a lot into this are the ones that have spun this into some "support for his team" line. Personally, I don't see that line being open to interpretation that much. Seems pretty straightforward.

no it's not.the only inference is that money was more important to Samuel than championships. that doesn't mean that winning championships isn't important to him or that all he cares about is money.

So you're saying that there is no societal stereotype or value that views chasing money as a negative and that views being willing to pass up money for something else as a positive?I have to agree with the "are you serious"? question.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

he didn't say the Eagles have no chance of ever winning a championship or anything close to that. you're taking a pretty simple statement "he chose money over championships" and reading a lot into it.

The natural inference from that statement is negative. The ones who are reading a lot into this are the ones that have spun this into some "support for his team" line. Personally, I don't see that line being open to interpretation that much. Seems pretty straightforward.

no it's not.the only inference is that money was more important to Samuel than championships. that doesn't mean that winning championships isn't important to him or that all he cares about is money.

So you're saying that there is no societal stereotype or value that views chasing money as a negative and that views being willing to pass up money for something else as a positive?I have to agree with the "are you serious"? question.

seriously? what does that have to do with Welker's comment?again, he never said that Asante Samuel doesn't care about winning or only cares about money. it's not an either or situation. he just said that money was more important than championships.I'd wager that nearly every single person in this world is motivated by money to some degree. The people who value money above all else are most likely the ones that stereotype applies to. As has been mentioned though, Samuel went to a very strong and stable franchise so it seems apparent that money wasn't his only concern.most players go where they are wanted. the Eagles wanted Samuel more than the Patriots did. If he was being honest, Samuel would tell you that he chose the Eagles primarily because of the money and what it signifies, so what's wrong with Welker's statement?

 

[Finless]

Maybe Asante chose class and integrity over championships Maybe Wes Welker can comment on that

Keep fighting the good fight, champ

 

[Tom Servo]

The fins underutilized him, and he chose championships over continuing to play for an embarrassing team.

Welker isn't mischaracterizing anything. He's simply saying his team will win.

...and signed an extension with that same team to get paid big $$ to play for championships. Let's not ignore that little factoid.

your point?

The point is Welker didn't mind signing a richer contract to stay in NE. Money was a motivating factor in his decision. He's not overly noble; he chose money and a chance to play for a ring. He happens to be of a talent level where he fits NE's salary scheme whereas Samuel didn't. No hate for WW here ; I'm just pointing out that 99 and 44/100% of players choose money to some degree or other.

 

[FUBAR]

The fins underutilized him, and he chose championships over continuing to play for an embarrassing team.

Welker isn't mischaracterizing anything. He's simply saying his team will win.

...and signed an extension with that same team to get paid big $$ to play for championships. Let's not ignore that little factoid.

your point?

The point is Welker didn't mind signing a richer contract to stay in NE. Money was a motivating factor in his decision. He's not overly noble; he chose money and a chance to play for a ring. He happens to be of a talent level where he fits NE's salary scheme whereas Samuel didn't. No hate for WW here ; I'm just pointing out that 99 and 44/100% of players choose money to some degree or other.

great, still has nothing to do with choosing money over championships. Nobody, including Welker, called him noble. I don't think he was calling Asante "un-noble".

 

[twitch]

There have been 3 teams recently that have overpaid CBs to the tune of roughly TEN MILLION/year. Which of course is relatively idiotic. And allow me to play the "Master of the Obvious" role in pointing out that any team paying that kindof money to Asante Samuel, Nate Clements or that Deion Sanders-wannabee Deangelo Hall arent coming close to sniffing a championship. Welker didnt really need to go there with his comments. But what are you gonna do? Hate the man for pointing out the obvious? Ten Mil a year to any cornerback NOT named Champ Bailey?? Pretty stupid if you ask me.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Ugh.

I hate the off-season.

 

[Jimmy James]

Welker didnt really need to go there with his comments. But what are you gonna do?

I think this is really it. If it's the worst thing Welker ever does, he's darn lucky. Like I said before, I like the guy. He's the one Patriot I can think of I'd actually be happy for if the team does win a championship. I just really think in general, this sort of thing isn't necessary. If he was asked a question about Samuel and felt the need to praise his team, a simple statement saying that he's excited about 2009 and he has no comment about Samuel would have really been preferable. So I don't have to respond to somebody else, I really don't think the Dolphins underutilized Welker at all. He even got to kick a ball through the uprights. I can't contest that the Patriots found a way to get more production out of him. Of course, it's still very much an open issue how much of the Moss/Welker success is due to Moss and how much is due to Welker.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Maybe Asante chose class and integrity over championships Maybe Wes Welker can comment on that

Keep fighting the good fight, champ

Nobody likes a rat.

 

[Irish]

it's true, isn't it?

No.Being true would imply that we know both Samuel's motives, and the future of both the Eagles and Pats.No, it's not true.

the odds of the Patriots winning a Super Bowl in the next few years have to be greater than the odds of the Eagles winning a championship in the next few years.the Eagles clearly offered him more money than the Patriots did (didn't they?)if both of these statements are facts, it certainly is not unreasonable to assume that money was a more important factor in his decision than winning a championship.since he has already won a couple and players don't play forever, I don't really see what's wrong with that. And, I'm guessing since Welker has been a teammate of his, he probably has a better idea of Samuel's motivation than any of the people getting upset in here do.

Patriots have not won a Superbowl since Spygate scandal broke. Something to ponder.

 

[obxlegends]

I just thought his comment about choosing money over championships was stupid, and that is what I said.

You think he choose the Eagles over the Patriots because he believes they're a better team? If not why exactly do you think Samuel choose the Eagles? Just curious. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

I just thought his comment about choosing money over championships was stupid, and that is what I said.

You think he choose the Eagles over the Patriots because he believes they're a better team? If not why exactly do you think Samuel choose the Eagles? Just curious. Thanks in advance.

Maybe he wanted the most money. Maybe he doesn't like playing for Belichik (sp?). Maybe he thinks the Spygate thing will be a hangover on the team. Maybe he thinks he can make more of an impact there. Maybe he likes cheese steaks. Maybe it doesn't really matter; people change teams all of the time in the free agency era. ETA- I'm just thinking of reasons; I don't think Samuel or Welker did/said anything wrong, stupid- or newsworthy - here.

 

[obxlegends]

I just thought his comment about choosing money over championships was stupid, and that is what I said.

You think he choose the Eagles over the Patriots because he believes they're a better team? If not why exactly do you think Samuel choose the Eagles? Just curious. Thanks in advance.

Maybe he wanted the most money. Maybe he doesn't like playing for Belichik (sp?). Maybe he thinks the Spygate thing will be a hangover on the team. Maybe he thinks he can make more of an impact there. Maybe he likes cheese steaks. Maybe it doesn't really matter; people change teams all of the time in the free agency era. ETA- I'm just thinking of reasons; I don't think Samuel or Welker did/said anything wrong, stupid- or newsworthy - here.

Maybe he has family in Philly? Maybe he's a big Ben Franklin fan? Maybe. Or maybe Wes Welker was right. It's not an indictment. Just an educated guess.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Maybe he has family in Philly? Maybe he's a big Ben Franklin fan? Maybe. Or maybe Wes Welker was right. It's not an indictment. Just an educated guess.

Money was the 1st on my list. But, my main point is, so what? (disclaimer: I have family in Philly and my college was founded by Ben. )

 

[Tenacious D]

Stupid Vinatieri chose money over championships...oh wait, he has more rings than his former teammates now.

The statement isn't really a big deal, but Welker just has no business going there. It's a cutthroat business with a small window to make money. This isn't a rah-rah high school days, I'm always surprised when fans still think that way, and downright shocked when a player still does, much less feels the need to judge someone else along those lines.

 

[obxlegends]

Maybe he has family in Philly? Maybe he's a big Ben Franklin fan? Maybe. Or maybe Wes Welker was right. It's not an indictment. Just an educated guess.

Money was the 1st on my list. But, my main point is, so what? (disclaimer: I have family in Philly and my college was founded by Ben. )

I'm not disagreeing, but we're all here on the 4th so we must be bored on some level.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

I'm not disagreeing, but we're all here on the 4th so we must be bored on some level.

In my defense, I am also watching Yankees-Red Sox. Happy 4th!

 

[tebuckey]

[Patriots have not won a Superbowl since Spygate scandal broke. Something to ponder.

Neither have 30 other teams, mustve shaken them all up.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Maybe Asante chose class and integrity over championships Maybe Wes Welker can comment on that

 

[PhD]

That's not supporting your team. There are a million ways to support your team without taking a swipe at a former teammate, and basically label him as a money grubbing doosh that doesn't care about winning. Not to mention insulting the Eagles.Love Welker, love his game, but that was classless.

Probably not the nicest thing to say but it is pretty accurate. I don't think anyone would argue that the Patriots have a better shot at a championship than Philly.

That may be the case.But that doesn't equal "Chose money over championships." That's not the only option here. There's a lot of reasons why players go to other teams, and one cold easily make the point that the Pats chose being cheap over championships, because they let Samuel go, and could have signed him.Now, I realize we cannot question any roster moves the Pats make or don't make, as they are beyond criticism, but one could say that. And I also know that money played a big part in Samuel's decision.But Welker has no business getting in anyone else's financial matters. Besides, what does he know about championships?

You're being way too critical of Welker here.He wasn't calling him out as a bad person, bad teammate or anything else.

"Asante's a great player, so it hurts not to have a guy like that. But then again, it's part of the business of the game," Welker said. "He chose money over championships, and that's the way it goes sometimes."

What would you want him to say? Asante left us for greener pastures, Philly's a team on the rise and they'll win a championship this year?I assume the reporter asked him about Asante, was he supposed to just say "no comment"? IMO that would appear more bitter.

I guess I would want him to stick with his shtick on this being a new year and putting the past behind him. Keep the bit about him being a great player for the Pats and say that the team is moving on, e.g., "What matters most is the guys on this team right now; I wish him well and beyond that I am not concerned with him." yada yada yada... Instead he shows how hard it is to (a) keep your focus on the present and (b) let a guy cash in. Ironically, Asante is cashing in on the championships he has already won. Besides, maybe Asante knows something about the Pats chances at winning the championship. You can say all you want about the Pats having the better chance at winning, but in the end the game is still played. More times than not the trophy seems to go to a team other than the one with "the best chance" at winning it during the offseason.

 

[massraider]

More times than not the trophy seems to go to a team other than the one with "the best chance" at winning it during the offseason.

Bingo.Just wanted to bump the thread in case any more Pats fans wanted to crawl up their cross, and play the martyr.

 

[CowboyFan]

Current Vegas odds on the 09 Superbowl:

Patriots 7/2

Eagles 20/1

 

[bostonfred]

More times than not the trophy seems to go to a team other than the one with "the best chance" at winning it during the offseason.

Bingo.Just wanted to bump the thread in case any more Pats fans wanted to crawl up their cross, and play the martyr.

lolPatriots have had four of the top 50 teams of all time in the last seven years. No martyrdom necessary. It's great for the Pats that players around the league still think that New England is the place to go if they want to have their best chance at winning a championship. It allows them to keep free agents cheaply and get free agents/trades that other teams couldn't have. See Moss, Randy.

 

[-OZ-]

GB the off season around here.

Where else can we get a 100 post discussion about such a stupid, but meaningless, comment made to an Oklahoma City paper?

Oh, and kudos to Welker for his work with kids.

 

[massraider]

More times than not the trophy seems to go to a team other than the one with "the best chance" at winning it during the offseason.

Bingo.Just wanted to bump the thread in case any more Pats fans wanted to crawl up their cross, and play the martyr.

lolPatriots have had four of the top 50 teams of all time in the last seven years. No martyrdom necessary.

I agree. Spread the word, please.

 

[westbrook36]

Ring Count:

Asante Samuel 2

Wes Welker 0

Welker should probably ask Asante what it was like to win Championships, and not diss his former teammate on the way out.