New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker focused on coming season, not contract – NFL News
It looks like wide receiver Wes Welker holds no grudge against the New England Patriots when he thinks about getting a long-term deal.
Welker was hard at work during the Patriots’ training camp on Thursday, July 26, 2012. While practising, he also met with owner Bob Kraft.
Welker will play out his one-year, $9.5 million franchise tender he signed this offseason. Talking to media after practice session, Welker said:
"Everyone tried. I tried, they tried, and it just didn't work out. It's in the past, and we're moved onto this season, which we expect to be a good one."
Welker gave a superb performance in the 2011 season. He got 122 receptions that were the highest in the league. He covered 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns which were his career best.
Many might think that Welker will have to prove his worth in order to get a better contract next year. Yet Welker contradicts this stance. He said:
"There's no year where you don't need to prove it. It's like any other year. The contract and everything else is out of my mind. It's really just going out there and focusing on playing good ball."
Although Welker is 31, one cannot ignore the fact that he has shown some great productivity in recent times.
With the type of performance Welker gave last season, he believes that he should have got a long-term deal. On the contrary, he understands that there are many things other than performance that are counted during the formation of a deal.
He said:
"You always kind of think it's going to happen, and then, I don't know. I think you just get excited, but at the same time, you're very fortunate the position you're in.”
The most important aspect of his case is what Patriots think about having a player like Welker for a long period.
They might have his replacement in mind or it could just be the salary cap issue that has made them place the tag on the receiver.
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