Notable Unrestricted Free Agents

[whiteathlete33]

The Kruger deal gets a positive review. Well, mostly.

Browns sign DE/OLB Paul Kruger (5 years, $41 million): B Grade
Paul Kruger was Baltimore's most dynamic pass-rusher during the team's Super Bowl run, so it's no surprise that he received this type of a contract.

With the Browns moving to a 3-4, they needed help at rush linebacker, and Kruger figures to be a big upgrade over what they had across from Jabaal Sheard. Stealing a talented player from a divisional rival is also nice. Having said that, I have some reservations about paying $41 million to a guy with only seven career starts. What if Kruger was just a flash in the pan last year?

 

[FootballDad]

It's so funny seeing many of these overrated affletes getting signed by new teams. They are just retreads - not great players and have had chance after to chance to prove it yet they still get signed to big contracts. It is really a cycle of lunacy.

You just don't see what all of these GMs and coaches see. All of these black players are still loaded with "upside", in spite of their years of mediocrity or worse. Any day now players like Desmond Bryant will realize their god-like potential and DOMINATE the league!!! Whitey doesn't have these magical qualities that been thrust into the psyche of people everywhere by the cultural marxists.

 

[northwinds]

On ESPN this morning Stephen A. Smiff was really advocating for the Patriots to get a contract signed with Welker......lauding Welker's stats over the past six years....saying he needs to get paid...refreshing. When the whole "Brady makes Welker" argument came up he suggested that Welker sign with Green Bay because Rodgers is better than Brady and they wouldn't need a running game with Welker in the slot.....good stuff...

 

[Don Wassall]

Denver is reportedly making a serious run at Welker. Welker, Decker and Thomas would be a tremendous receiving trio for Peyton Manning. Manning should have at least three years left counting this season, and so should Welker so the Broncos might work out very well for him. And if New England replaces Welker with Amendola or Edelman, well at least I'm trying to look at the bright side. . .

 

[Thrashen]

Denver is reportedly making a serious run at Welker. Welker, Decker and Thomas would be a tremendous receiving trio for Peyton Manning. Manning should have at least three years left counting this season, and so should Welker so the Broncos might work out very well for him. And if New England replaces Welker with Amendola or Edelman, well at least I'm trying to look at the bright side. . .

A deal between the Broncos and Welker now appears imminent...

Most NFL insiders are pretty sold on the fact that Wes Welker won’t be returning to Foxboro this year. In fact, it’s all but certain that the former Patriots wideout already has his mindset on where he’ll be catching passes in 2013.

According to many reports, Welker is likely heading to Denver to play alongside Pats nemesis Peyton Manning and the Broncos. The Boston Globe’s Greg Bedard recently tweeted Broncos deal with Welker “very likely,” according to his league source, as seen below.

Yahoo! Sports’ Michael Silver took that rumor one step further and claimed the deal is close to being sealed. Filing now to Yahoo! Sports: The Broncos are "almost done" with a deal that will bring Wes Welker to Denver

Although I'm glad to see him get paid more money and play for an amazing offense, a HOF QB, a white-friendly team, and a Superbowl contender, it's unfortunate that he's no longer the “go-to guy” he was for 6 seasons in New England. Logically, his perennially-superhuman stats are bound to decline.

As Don mentioned, at least this could spur New England to re-sign Edelman (and sign Amendola, Collie, Walter, draft Ryan Swope, or groom Jeremy Ebert) and hopefully utilize one of these guys as an outside receiver and the other in the slot.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Broncos signed Stewart Bradley to a one year contract. Bradley is very intelligent and a physical freak and the instant (and virtually unanimous) proclamation of him as a "bust" in Arizona never felt right, more like pandering to "team chemistry" and the ancient and not very good Paris Lenin by keeping Lenin as the starter over Bradley. Stewart has a chance to compete for the starting middle linebacker job in Denver so this looks like a very good signing.

 

[white is right]

A deal between the Broncos and Welker now appears imminent...



Although I'm glad to see him get paid more money and play for an amazing offense, a HOF QB, a white-friendly team, and a Superbowl contender, it's unfortunate that he's no longer the “go-to guyâ€￾ he was for 6 seasons in New England. Logically, his perennially-superhuman stats are bound to decline.

As Don mentioned, at least this could spur New England to re-sign Edelman (and sign Amendola, Collie, Walter, draft Ryan Swope, or groom Jeremy Ebert) and hopefully utilize one of these guys as an outside receiver and the other in the slot.

If he is to leave New England then the Broncos are among the best landing spots. Teams that would be willing to throw out big bucks but don't have a qb to launch the ball to him would be a disaster for his career. On a side note if Amendola landed in New England it would interesting to see what kind of stats he could put up as a Patriot.

 

[Freethinker]

A deal between the Broncos and Welker now appears imminent...



Although I'm glad to see him get paid more money and play for an amazing offense, a HOF QB, a white-friendly team, and a Superbowl contender, it's unfortunate that he's no longer the “go-to guyâ€￾ he was for 6 seasons in New England. Logically, his perennially-superhuman stats are bound to decline.

As Don mentioned, at least this could spur New England to re-sign Edelman (and sign Amendola, Collie, Walter, draft Ryan Swope, or groom Jeremy Ebert) and hopefully utilize one of these guys as an outside receiver and the other in the slot.

Wow, I'm pretty stunned by this move.

From WeinerWorld:
Broncos agreed to terms with WR Wes Welker, formerly of the Patriots, on a two-year, $12 million contract.


The Broncos throw some stunning spice into an otherwise predictable market. The move alters the balance of power at the top of the AFC, and will finally test the theory that Welker is a "replaceable" player who only became the first receiver in league history to tally five 100-catch seasons because of New England's system. He gives the Broncos an elite, imposing receiver corps, likely the best in the league. Welker will take Brandon Stokley's place in the slot, representing a seismic upgrade in run-after-catch ability. Peyton Manning's security blanket in 2012, Stokley drew 58 targets. Even with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in the fold, Welker should double that, even if the days of Welker catching 100 balls a year are over. Mar 13 - 4:53 PM


The Patriots would really be wise to sign Amendola, who is now rumored to resign with the Rams.

 

[Gibbon]

I'll be sad to see him go. As will all the NE fans. But regardless, I see NE and BB remaining the most objective team when it comes to evaluating talent. Will they darken, at least in the short term, as a consequence of his departure? Hope not.

He'll play well for Peyton though. If that is his fate. And Peyton will be inclined to trust him, having seen what Brady has done with him.

 

[white lightning]

Denver is quickly becoming my favorite team. Now they just need to go out and get Peyton Hillis back there. He would be a perfect fit in that system and they have to be one of the teams with the best chance to make the super bowl. If I'm Peyton, I'm on the phone to Denver which is where his whole career started out. Welker is going to be a perfect fit there.

 

[referendum]

I still don't know what to think about Welker going to Denver. He won't get as many receptions, and reports are the Pats offered him 2 years 10 million. Weenieworld had a report about Brady being very upset with the move, upset at Pats for letting him go. Glad he didn't go somewhere where he could help a team we at CF truly despise.

 

[whiteathlete33]

He won't have as many receptions, that's a given. They have two talented receivers in Decker and Thomas so Welker won't see as many targets. Disgusting that the Patriots wouldn't pay their best offensive weapon and a top five receiver in the league what he's worth.

 

[Don Wassall]

Sounds like hurt pride on Welker's part, going back to when Edelman started over him at the beginning of last season, combined with arrogance on the part of Belichick and the Patriots. Hopefully it'll work out for both teams as they're the two most relatively white friendly organizations in the league.

 

[northwinds]

Just think for a minute about how much worse this could have been....can you imagine Welker going to Tampa, Redskins, Carolina? We still get to watch him play with a HOF QB on an elite team with a great chance to got to the SB.....still it hurts. I'm already dreaming of a Patriots/Broncos AFC championship game with Welker going for 180 yards and the winning TD....with the cameras constantly panning over to Bellichick's sullen face.....and the press conference afterwords would be "must watch TV". By the way, I just heard that the Pats signed Amendola......so maybe its a win/win....but, all in all, I would have liked to see Welker remain a Patriot.

 

[northwinds]

The fans in Bronco land are loving on this sighning:

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?220897-Wes-Welker-a-Bronco/page5

 

[Don Wassall]

Gotta like the Amendola signing though big time. He could put up astronomical numbers with the Patriots as he was looking unstoppable last season before getting hurt. Hopefully it's a win-win for both players (Amendola and Welker) and both teams.

 

[Westside]

Gotta like the Amendola signing though big time. He could put up astronomical numbers with the Patriots as he was looking unstoppable last season before getting hurt. Hopefully it's a win-win for both players (Amendola and Welker) and both teams.

Right Don! Amendola was on the cusp of a break out season. Several sports media publications/sites also agreed with our assessment going into 2012. Man, I hope he can have an injury free season. One thing he has over Welker is better top end speed. I think the trades involving both are win / win. Welker with a chance to end his career with a another SB and Amendola a chance to be prolific and win his 1st SB. Great out come. Hopefully both put up the big stats in 2013.

 

[Westside]

And in the other direction. The caste-o-lites at BSPN have just hired Ray Lewis the former NFL player, alleged murderer, turned state's snitch as a regular to Monday Night Football. No surprise here, I believed I called this 2 months ago. The odds of calling this were in my favor no doubt. :yuck:

There will come a time when BSPN will have KOBE (alleged rapist-paid ho to go away) Lewis (alleged murderer-plea bargin. snitch) and Vick (convicted felon-inhumane dog killer) working the network in the future. A DWF's wet dream. The down ward spiral of Amerika continues at an accelerated pace. I am standing on the side lines waiting for the crash. :frusty:

 

[Don Wassall]

It's unbelievable how many black football players end up on BSPN or the NFL Network. I don't know what they do with them all. Just the other day watched Brian Dawkins on one of them for the first time, speaking ebonics like most of them do. Speaking proper English isn't even a job requirement for a broadcasting career if one is of the Magical Race.

At least Jamie Dukes appears to have disappeared. He was actually well spoken. I think he's living a double life as Cee Lo the rapper. Looks exactly like him.

 

[davidholly]

The real issue here is that Ray Lewis sounds like he has throat cancer, not a voice you want to listen to for a long period of time.

 

[jaxvid]

I think the Welker for Amendola "trade" was a move aimed directly at castefootballers and our many anonymous supporters. Or at least I like to think that it was.

It's hard to imagine a more exciting outcome from our point of view. Manning to Welker?? How great is that? Sure Brady to Welker was good but that show might have been played out. And Amendola, a really talented White receiver, the type who is typically buried after leaving the team they had success with, goes to White receiver heaven. It's like a brand new, younger, Welker!! Considering how crappy 2012-2013 was it seems to be a nice start.

Also, I haven't noticed it mentioned here, but Percy (I steal touches from Gerhart) Harvin is gone from Minnesota. That opens up some more touches for Gerhart unless the program is to continue to phase him out. At this point it looks like a plus.

Now all we need to have happen is for Hillis to land somewhere good.

 

[dwid]

I dont know if there will be 1k to go around for all 3 receivers. Amendola is good but not quite Welker, he would be better used on the outside, he has a career average under 9 I believe, although he is great on returns, not to mention the Patriots are heavily interested in Tavon Austin. Hopefully Amendola will be utilized on the outside because that seems to be the base formation they want to go to, 2 wideouts and 2 tight ends. If Welker doesn't get close to 1k then he will be labeled a system receiver. Hopefully he can get close to that mark, but the offense is based on DT and Decker with Stokley as the 3rd down guy, not in the same way Welker was used.

The system in New England was perfectly suited for Welker's skillset, which was more like a runningback lining up wide. Maybe they can do more screens and the like since they don't have a dominant runningback that they are willing to use (they didn't use Hester). Welker having consistent 1k receiving seasons has helped more White receivers get chances in the league.

 

[foobar75]

It appears the difference in money was about $2 million. So, the Pats low-balled Welker, and while I don't know how much of a role Belichick had in this, I'm almost certain that Eminem, as BB's right hand man, had some influence here as well. He had a role in trying to phase out Welker last year, plans that had to be shelved when Hernandez got hurt. His non-sensical play-calling at times last season had the markings of a man who was trying to show everyone what a genius he was, instead of using the right personnel.

The Pats always looked unstoppable when Woodhead was running the ball, with Gronk/Welker catching it. Welker was the cog in the middle that made that offense go, so we'll see if Amendola can fill the void. He hasn't shown to be nearly as durable as Welker who's as tough as they come, but hopefully, the combination of Edelman and Amendola can at least equal Welker's production.

The move is a major coup for Denver, who now has the best WR corp in the NFL, in my opinion.

 

[whiteathlete33]

It appears the difference in money was about $2 million. So, the Pats low-balled Welker, and while I don't know how much of a role Belichick had in this, I'm almost certain that Eminem, as BB's right hand man, had some influence here as well. He had a role in trying to phase out Welker last year, plans that had to be shelved when Hernandez got hurt. His non-sensical play-calling at times last season had the markings of a man who was trying to show everyone what a genius he was, instead of using the right personnel.

The Pats always looked unstoppable when Woodhead was running the ball, with Gronk/Welker catching it. Welker was the cog in the middle that made that offense go, so we'll see if Amendola can fill the void. He hasn't shown to be nearly as durable as Welker who's as tough as they come, but hopefully, the combination of Edelman and Amendola can at least equal Welker's production.

The move is a major coup for Denver, who now has the best WR corp in the NFL, in my opinion.

Amendola is in the same boat as Austin Collie and Julian Edelman. They are all very athletic and talented receivers but injured all the time.

 

[foobar75]

Amendola is in the same boat as Austin Collie and Julian Edelman. They are all very athletic and talented receivers but injured all the time.

Yes, I agree, and I hope that Jordy Nelson doesn't join them in that group. His 2012 season was certainly a disappointing one compared to 2011, and he should enter 2013 as the undisputed #1 WR, with or without Greg Jennings.

Here's an article very complimentary of Welker, and the author believes the Patriots will regret this move.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...-bill-belichick-tom-brady-robert-kraft-031313