Welker Signs Franchise Tender

The Wes Welker uncertainty can be put to bed. He signed the 9.5 Million dollar franchise deal today, and quickly tweeted: "I signed my tender today. I love the game and I love my teammates! Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results. #leapoffaith."

Now, why is this a #leapoffaith?  Well, if he gets hurt, he's going to have a hard time getting that kind of money ever again.  However, he may not be the #1 option for Brady this year (albeit doubtful).  Brandon Llyod will garner a lot of attention, and Ochocinco and company all have the potential to surprise.  If his numbers dip a bit, it may be easier to sign to him for less/longer.

Nevertheless, Welker only needs 4 receptions to pass Troy Brown as the Patriots all-time leader.  Its amazing to think that he has done so much in such a short time (since 07), but the numbers don't lie.  He kills the competition in receptions and YAC.

RK	PLAYER	TEAM	REC	TAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG	20+	YDS/G	FUM	YAC	1DN
1	Wes Welker, WR	NE	122	172	1,569	12.9	9	99	21	98.1	0	732	77
2	Darren Sproles, RB	NO	86	111	710	8.3	7	39	7	44.4	0	690	35
3	Ray Rice, RB	BAL	76	104	704	9.3	3	52	7	44.0	0	677	30
4	Rob Gronkowski, TE	NE	90	124	1,327	14.7	17	52	22	82.9	0	656	69
5	Arian Foster, RB	HOU	53	71	617	11.6	2	78	9	47.5	1	635	19
6	Victor Cruz, WR	NYG	82	131	1,536	18.7	9	99	25	96.0	1	595	59
7	Percy Harvin, WR	MIN	87	123	967	11.1	6	52	14	60.4	2	537	45
8	Calvin Johnson, WR	DET	96	158	1,681	17.5	16	73	32	105.1	1	524	77
9	Aaron Hernandez, TE	NE	79	113	910	11.5	7	46	12	65.0	1	519	46
10	Jonathan Stewart, RB	CAR	47	61	413	8.8	1	26	4	25.8	0	508	18

Obviously this chart shows that New England designs plays to create YAC, but Welker separates himself from the crowd by more than 40 yards, and he separates himself from the nearest WR by nearly 140 yards. The drop-off continues from there...

Year	Team	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	Yds/G	Lng	TD	20+	40+	1st	FUM
2011	New England Patriots	16	122	1,569	12.9	98.1	99T	9	21	4	77	0
2010	New England Patriots	15	86	848	9.9	56.5	35	7	6	0	47	0
2009	New England Patriots	14	123	1,348	11.0	96.3	58	4	8	3	71	1
2008	New England Patriots	16	111	1,165	10.5	72.8	64	3	13	1	57	1
2007	New England Patriots	16	112	1,175	10.5	73.4	42	8	10	1	65	2

Welker is extremely unique in his production, and without a devastating knee injury his numbers could have continued to ascend.  He seems to be back to form, and simply never missing a game is impressive as it is.

Welker has done everything that has ever been asked of him on and off the field.  He took his punishment quietly in the wake of his infamous Rex Ryan foot fetish press conference.  He really just wanted to put his best foot forward.  It was funny and harmless in my opinion.  Something that fuels the Jets-Pats rivalry.