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What does Patriots’ history of moving on from players early say about Wes Welker’s situation? 09.22.12 at 3:40 pm ET
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With Wes Welker getting less playing time this year than the four-time All-Pro receiver has grown accustomed to, everyone’s looking for answers as to why. Some say it’s the emergence of fourth-year man Julian Edelman, while others wonder whether Welker’s contract status — he’s signed for the year under his franchise tender and will be a free agent at season’s end — has something to do with it.

Could Wes Welker have the same fate as Lawyer Milloy and Richard Seymour? (AP)

If they don’t re-sign him to a multi-year deal, Patriots could franchise (the number for receivers is set to increase) Welker again with the intention of keeping him or moving him (a la Matt Cassel). They could also let the 31-year-old walk.

During his appearance with Mut & Merloni on Friday, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King gave an interesting take on what the Patriots might be doing.

“I think they’re preparing for life without Wes Welker,” King said. “I think if you look at the reality of this situation, Bill Belichick has always — I mean always — had the future in mind when he is trying to figure out how he is going to put his team into play for both the present and the future. All you have to do is look back at Richard Seymour. When you look back at Richard Seymour you realize in essence good players can be traded and can be gotten rid of.”

King said that he didn’t think the Patriots would trade Welker this year, but that if someone presented them a strong offer — such as a second-round pick — the Pats would be wise to at least consider it. Either way, Welker departing even after the season would mark a rather abrupt ending to his Patriots career, which started in 2007. If the Pats were to part ways with Welker during the season or after it, it wouldn’t be the first time Belichick has let a big-name player go while they were still conceivably in their prime. In fact, it’s been established that the Patriots believe in parting with players — even popular ones — a year too early rather than a year too late.

Here are a few examples:

Lawyer Milloy

Accomplishments with Patriots: Super Bowl XXXVI Champion, three-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler

Departure: Released prior to 2003-04 season after he wouldn’t renegotiate his contract

Age: 29

The release of Milloy looked even worse for the Pats when he signed with the Bills and helped them wallop New England, 31-0, in Week 1. Milloy had five tackles and a sack of Tom Brady in that game, but the move proved to work out for the Patriots thanks to one Rodney Harrison. The Pats would go on to win the Super Bowl in the next two seasons, with Harrison playing a large role as a defensive captain and one of the most feared safeties in the game.

Adam Vinatieri

Accomplishments with Patriots: Three-time Super Bowl Champion (made game-winning kicks in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII), two-time All-Pro, two-time Pro-Bowler

Departure: Signed with Colts as a free agent in 2006

Age: 33

Considering that he was arguably the best kicker in the league and a franchise icon thanks to his game-winning field goals of more than 40 yards in two Super Bowls, the Patriots didn’t exactly bend over backwards for Vinatieri. The Pats had franchised the kicker the year before, allowing him to become a free agent. The Colts, who were fed up with Mike Vanderjagt, inked Vinatieri to a five-year deal, and he’s been with Indianapolis since.

While the loss of Vinatieri was shocking to Pats fans, New England recovered well and have been in better standing than the Colts at the kicker position. Belichick hit in the fourth round on Memphis’ Stephen Gostkowski, who was an All-Pro in 2008 and has been one of the more productive kickers in the league.

Richard Seymour

Departure: Traded to Raiders for 2011 first-round pick prior to 2009-10 season

Age: 29

Seymour was, like Welker, in the last year of his contract when the Pats shipped him to Oakland. The Patriots had trouble replacing his production, something that couldn’t be done with one body, though they eventually attempted to strengthen their line years later with the signings of Mark Anderson and Shaun Ellis, as well as trading for Albert Haynesworth.

The return from Oakland was very shiny given that the Raiders had picked seventh overall in the previous draft and had significant issues all over their roster, namely at quarterback. The pick promised to be high, much like the 2008 first-rounder the Pats got back from the 49ers (seventh overall) when San Francisco wanted Joe Staley in 2007, but the Raiders traded for Jason Campbell to improve their quarterback play and finished the 2010-11 season with an 8-8 record. The pick ended up being the 17th overall choice, and the Pats used it to select Colorado tackle Nate Solder.

While trading Seymour saved the Pats some cash and salary cap space at the time, the jury’s still out on whether this was a good trade because the jury’s still out on Solder. The giant tackle was taken to be Matt Light‘s successor, but it’s too early to tell whether he’ll prove to be an effective replacement.

Read More: Bill Belichick, Richard Seymour, Wes Welker, Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • http://www.facebook.com/conor.fallon Conor Fallon

    Trading Seymour allowed us to keep Wilfork, that is a win all by it’s self.

  • The Oddsbreaker

    I just don’t understand the reasoning behind potentially moving Welker, this guy has at least 3 good years left in him and is Head & Shoulders above Edelman. Is the Ayatollah of Payolla so pissed that Wes was awarded 9.5. C’mon none of this would be happening if BB just signed him for 3yrs @ 18mil and trust me Welker would have taken that. Don’t like how BB squeezes Guys that really do deserve to be properly compensated. This just stinks….. I know he is a genius, but its too hard to swallow this one.

  • Snake

    One thing you are leaving out since Seymore or Law left the Patriot have not won a Super Bowl.

  • Garyritter

    Belichick is also preparing for life without Brady. Hate to say it, but Brady has begun the inevitable decline in skills. He has trouble feeling the rush now and reacts to pressure that isn’t there.He used to hit the open receiver, now he locks in more on his “binkie” targets. Ron Jaworski and Cris Mortenson hinted at this last year and PFW’s Andy Hart has come right out and said it.

  • Anonymous

    Seymour cost the Patriots $$$$$$. The litany of defensive players BB has brought in attempting to shore up the defensive line since the loss of Seymour.
    No matter how you cut it ,it was a bad trade.

  • anguillaman3

    What do you base your analysis of Brady on ?  The SB game, last weeks game?

  • Tfxr

    idiotic to move welker.   Did anyone see what he did tonight?

  • 1onethree3

    I like Welker. It would be stupid to trade him or let him leave.  Defense is New Englands problem, not so much the offense….as you can tell by both super bowl losses to the same team…. What is Bill not doing right?….. Will he be next?

  • Robey

    High Henry.

    Ginger from Gilligan’s Island was mad crazy in love over him.

  • Onetwothreefour

    Bet Seesting still can nail a mid-range jumper at 45%. Sign him up.

  • Bruinman86

    I would expect a few small moves.  That’s it.

  • Jim

    With those comments I’m done watching them for the rest of the year, hopefully this summer Danny makes and get more better players.

  • Js Spam

     why? they have been playing their best ball all year.. the chicago and charlotte games were bad but some of these last few wins have been extremely fun to watch from an entertainment and basketball standpoint. Miami game – awesome, Denver game – awesome, Both LA games – awesome. Too many people pissing and moaning about making moves. If Lebron keeps playing the way he is now its game over anyway and there is no one walking through that door (in the league) that is going to change that. Enjoy these games with PP and KG while you can. It will be an end of an era when its over.

  • Js Spam

     Bide away, I dont know if it was just a bad LBJ game or what, but looking back at the game and the D that Jeff played is even more impressive considering the historic tear LBJ is now on

  • Cfn

    OK, I am surprised no one really picked up what DA was really saying today.  If you remember he did agreed that the team was moving the ball better without Rondo; he really was not defending him whole heartedly.  To me, this means he is getting ready to make a big trade using Rondo.  Probably to a team that does not have a playoff chance.  Mark my words folks.  Basically he was saying that Green, Bradley and Lee, and Terry can take the ball out.  Also he basically said Green plays better without Rondo….listen to it people. 

  • Chrisindanvers

    It will be interesting to see what direction the team takes. Danny Ainge is always good about saying that the Celtics are exploring options and it is hard to tell what that he means. He definitely would make a big move – or two,or three – if it makes the team better in short term and even more so in the long term. The Celtics can easily sit back and see what is presented as well; no one would be surprised if this teams loses in the first round of the playoffs given the injuries.

    It will definitely be a tough week….because Ainge just might get the chance to jump at something that will make this team better for years to come.

  • Bruinman86

     Nothing to gain either.  He’s been out of the league for a reason.  He’s way out of shape and was called “Me, Myself and Iverson” for a reason.

  • Dave

    Iverson is the anti-Celtic.  From college through the pros, Iverson never changed, never doing anything but hogging the ball, so what makes you Iverson people think that he could help the Celtics “team”?  He also plays no defense.  Stop with the nonsense.

  • Jef Vinson

    Sure. I’ll do it just because you say so. OK.

  • KGBeast

    i love Keyon! he contributed decently in the playoffs against Miami last year. i think they’re not considering him cuz they’re not sure how serious he is about coming back and honestly in terms of playing ability they can do better. i say they should just get Pargo & be done w/ it. Delonte is too crazy & (probably) out of shape to be given a shot at this point.

  • KGBeast

    THANK YOU for being the voice of reason Dave! i’m so sick of reading comments from people who want Iverson back! i’ve read at least one on every article that comes out about trade rumors. i didn’t know he was 38 either! the most important thing is that he can’t play! i mean he couldn’t score in Turkey, while Starbury & T-Mac, were lighting it up in China! what makes ppl think he can play against the best in the world if he can’t dominate inferior competition?

  • KGBeast

    i still think they messed up by not going after Reggie Evans & JJ Hickson last year. Hickson was on the waivers for like a week before Portland scooped him up! now he’s tearing it up for them on a nightly basis! he’s also young & on a cheap contract! & Evans would’ve been perfect for the rebounding problems of this team! dude has Rodman-like game, he just wants to rebound & doesn’t care about scoring that much.

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