Welker one of key decisions on the horizon
The sting from losing Super Bowl XLVI hasn't worn off yet, but the New England Patriots must now deal with several major decisions regarding key components of their offense entering 2012.
The biggest question mark is the future of wide receiver Wes Welker, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season -- one of seven on offense.
Welker will more than likely demand top receiver money, but the Patriots might not agree with the terms of the value established by he and his agent, so there's a strong chance the team will bite the bullet and franchise him, which means for one season they;ll have to pay him an average of what the top five receivers earn.
The problem with the franchise tag is it could sour the relationship between Welker and the team and prohibit the Patriots from working out a long-term extension before he reaches free agency again in 2013. From the player's standpoint, a subpar season hurts Welker's value on the market next year; he'd rather capitalize now based off his numbers in 2011 (122 catches for a career-high 1,569 yards).
The debate centers around what the Patriots believe he's worth. The reality is Welker is arguably more valuable to the Patriots than he is to any other team. He's essentially a slot receiver, lacking the size to line up one-on-one on the outside against elite cornerbacks. His speed makes him a poor matchup for most linebackers in the slot, which is why he excels in yards after the catch.
Teams with two or three legitimate No. 1 receivers -- the Giants, for example, who have a lethal trio in Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz -- would have little use for Welker given the contract he's asking for. Even with two spectacular tight ends that have become their primary weapons in the red zone, the Patriots can't necessarily afford to lose their most dependable receiver. That will affect the outcome of these impending negotiations.
The Patriots also have to deal with running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, offensive lineman Dan Connolly, center Dan Koppen and wide receiver Deion Branch, who are also unrestricted free agents. Green-Ellis and Connolly will likely return at a reasonable value, the latter which could affect how they handle Koppen. Connolly filled in nicely this year when Koppen suffered a season-ending injury; Connolly is only 29, while Koppen will turn 33 in September, and it's likely the Patriots could get the same production at center with a cheaper, younger alternative.
Branch is also a wild card; he's diminished in value through the years, particularly in his second stint with the Patriots, and it might be best for the team to look elsewhere for a big-play receiver. Still, that doesn't mean they can't have both, provided the price tag isn't too high on Branch.
Running back Kevin Faulk, who was inactive for the Super Bowl and played sparingly down the stretch after returning from a knee injury, will likely retire. Special teams ace Matt Slater should be back at a relatively low price.
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