In another sign that Wes Welker seems likely to stay with the Patriots, owner Robert Kraft said he’s eager to get a deal done with the team’s leading receiver.

Speaking to reporters in New York on Monday, Kraft stressed the importance of keeping Welker around.

“I love Wes Welker. I hope he remains a Patriot for life. Just like Tom Brady,” Kraft said, via Darren Rovell of ESPN.

Although there’s been some talk that Welker worries his role in New England might be reduced, Kraft made clear that the team wants to get a deal done.

“We want Wes. We really do,” Kraft said, via Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.

The Patriots should want Welker: He’s gone over 110 catches for two straight years in their offense. But the fact that the two sides still haven’t been able to get a deal done suggests that Welker doesn’t think Kraft’s contract offer is as generous as his words.

TFB I appreciate what you bring to the forum, but I cannot wait until this is over so I never have to see another Welker thread again (started by you or anyone).  Sorry :O

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I like Welker and appreciate TFB's enthusiasm for retaining him.  That said, I believe the current Welker thread count exceeds 2,854,123 give or take a few thousand.  JK

every day is wes welker day for you TFB, lol

Hahaha!!  Come on guys, this is fun!!  Where else can you go and get this much free entertainmet!! Have I wore my welcome out here?  Maybe... But Just wait what I have planned once he is signed!!!

The King wants the team ahead of everything else which is fine and dandy but what he forgets is that it's the players who make it all happen out on the field.  That includes star players on offense of TFB, Wes Welker, Gronk and AH81 (to an extent).  You take away TFB12 or Welker or Gronk or AH81 (to an extent) and that changes a lot of what happens on the field. 

And I agree, I am getting tired of all the Welker threads, mine included!  I'm tired of trying to defend this guy and the importance of him on the team to all the Pats fans who wear those rose colored glasses.  Theose rose colored glasses wearing fans are very stubborn or just plain ignorant... I haven't decided which yet.  Probably a bit of both! 

In response to RidingWithTheKing's comment:

This is funny coming from you who if you open up any thread on here you post 20x's the number of posts in a thread then anyone else.

I have enjoyed these posts still not sure how I feel ant how welder returning or not but think the team is better off with him. Posts like these make it fun, creates conversation and passes along dome good info. I want speed and toughness today in whoever we sign. 

In response to TFB12's comment:

Come on King, you even gotta admit this is funny stuff!!

I do enjoy the picture lol..nice work TFB

I'd rather read Welker threads than Jets threads!

Interesting tweet from Ian Rapoport:

"You guys won't believe this: I said Wes Welker was waiting for the Patriots last offer. Received a correction: Actually their 1st offer"

https://twitter.com/RapSheet

In response to pcmIV's comment:

Hahaha, was just going to post this.  Interesting!!  I don't know if this is good or bad.  Probably all depending on how much interest has been shown for Welker.

The Pats are going to let Welker walk and sign Martellus Bennett.  Then they will take the NFL by storm as they roll out the 4 TE offense.

In response to pcmIV's comment:

Please no!!  Still that would be better then the 5 qb set the Jets apparently are going to run, lol!!

In response to pcmIV's comment:

One thing is for sure, this means a decision is getting very close!!

In response to RidingWithTheKing's comment:

yes Tom Brady and wes Welker don't perform

but when it counts your defense is rock solid

got it

In response to TFB12's comment:

Exactly TFB, thinking they want to have Wes Go out there and see what the market is, then go from there.

Sounds nuts, but nothing suprises me with they way Pats do things with their CORE players (see Seymour/Asante/Wilfork and others)....

In response to ATJ's comment:

and that amount is just about half of rusty's 5, 677, 809 threads blaming Tom Brady for the economy and global warming

In response to 42AND46's comment:

LOL!!  Looking for a honest answer here... I know you are a huge Cruz fan, how are you feeling about the current Cruz situation?  Where do you put the chances of him leaving the Giants?

In response to TFB12's comment:

I don't think a player with a 1st round tender has been signed in like 10 years.  Wallace didn't go anywhere.  Granted Cruz is a better receiver imo, but I'd be surprised.

 

In response to TFB12's comment:

well i know the Giants tendered him a level 1 restricted FA and i know they have to work around the numbers a bit re: cap...i would hate to lose cruz big time but he came out of nowhere and had two great seasons-including a sb win-for very little money so he deserves to get paid

i think it will work out and he will stay though it may be a short contract frontloaded...if giants do lose cruz  they still have nicks and i trust jerry reese and the giants ability to plug players in to fill holes-even rookies-and have success as they have for years now...it will be interesting to see how it plays out but i think he stays

i did like the cullen jenkins signing, they need a good run stopper and he can also get to the qb

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TFB, I enjoy all your artwork and your WW enthusiasm. He is a a great player, who I think is undermined because he is a "slot" receiver. Who cares? He also doesn't catch a lot of touchdowns...again, who cares? He keeps the sticks moving so that Gronk and the RBs get the privilege of scoring touchdowns. That said, I am a little concerned that he is dropping more passes nowadays than in the past (though I do not blame him for the Super Bowl miscue, as many do).

To me, the biggest question has been about proper appropriation of funds under the cap. As long as the Pats can field a SB contender, than I'm happy to have Wes as a Patriot.

In response to 42AND46's comment:

I think he stays but man, the Vikings just got another first round pick.  You gotta think Adrian Peterson is begging and pleading for them to get a really good receiver now that they lost Harvin.  If they don't get Wallace then he has to be asking them to use one of their first round picks here.  I think it would be a big loss for the Giants.