Wes Welker - a Brown in 2013?

[brooks1957]

I've seen this article posted for a couple of days now, but hadn't read it until now. The writer has a valid point - Wes Welker is a much, much better veteran compliment to our young corps of WRs than Mike Wallace.

I will add that I think this is a real possibility when you consider:

• The reputation around the league and track record of success that Norv Turner possesses. It's a high octane offense, and prospective free agents will want to come here to play in it.
• The Browns have an ample supply of cash this off season to attract free agents with. I think we are even below the "salary floor" for 2013 meaning we must up our payroll to comply with the new collective bargaining agreement. The Patriots are not in horrible shape for 2013 with approx $18M available. The Browns have more than double that at $48M. I don't know the status of the rest of their players' contracts, but it's hard for me to see the Patriots being able to, or wanting to, offering a better package than the Browns can for a 30 year old WR.
• If you look at the most successful franchises in the league, they seem to have a common thread - don't hold on to a veteran too long. They feel it is better to part ways with a player a year or two too early than a year or two too late.
• If they pursue Mike Wallace, he is the same type of burner, down field receiver that Josh Gordon is. But, especially with Ben Watson an unrestricted free agent, Brandon Weeden needs a guaranteed "go-to" possession receiver that can be counted on whrn the play starts breaking down around him. No one on the current roster has stepped up to fill that role.
• Lastly, our newly appointed Director of Pro Personnel has very strong ties to the Belichick tree. Although he never worked for the Patriots, something tells me from their former association with the Browns that Bill may have parted with some intel about Wes that doesn't necessarily show up on the videotape.

Thoughts anyone else? (I know if this did happen - there would be a party in the Miami area Larger than anything in recent memory...........)


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...-out-receivers

Forget Mike Wallace, the Cleveland Browns Need Wes Welker to Round out Receivers


By Andrea Hangst
(AFC North Lead Writer) on February 12, 2013






Wes Welker and Mike Wallace have a lot in common—they're considered top-tier receivers, both are headed for free agency and both their last names start with a W.



Over the weekend, CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora suggested that the Cleveland Browns may use some of their salary cap excess to target Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Mike Wallace, who is about to become an unrestricted free agent.
While it's an attractive prospect—Wallace will likely be one of the most sought-after players when free agency kicks off next month—he's not really what the Browns need. Sure, he could be a good complement on the outside to Josh Gordon, but Wallace is basically a get-down-the-field-and-get-open receiver, and they already have someone who fits that profile. The Browns would be better off targeting a receiver who can add a new dimension to their offense.


Like the New England Patriots Wes Welker.


Welker, who is entering into his 10th season in the NFL, has spent the last two seasons as one of the most-targeted receivers in the league and has been an integral part of why the Patriots have had one of the highest-scoring, most productive offenses in league history.



Mohamed Massaquoi was among the Browns receivers to play in the slot in 2012. He had 17 catches for 254 yards.



However, Welker is set to be an unrestricted free agent this year. Last year, he was given the franchise tag, but it seems unlikely the Patriots would tag him for a second straight season. Though there's always the option of a new contract, Bleacher Report's Erik Frenz thinks that letting Welker walk away and play elsewhere in 2013 would be the best move for the Patriots. And if they go that route, the Patriots loss could be the Browns gain.



In 2012, the Browns didn't really employ a full-time slot receiver. Rookie Josh Cooper was thrown to 16 times in the slot over the course of six games, Greg Little had two games as the starting slot receiver, and in Weeks 9 through 15 that job belonged to Mohamed Massaquoi, but no one receiver made the position his own.


That had more to do with then-head coach Pat Shurmur's offensive philosophy than the Browns not having someone capable of doing the job. With Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner running Cleveland's offense this year, a slot receiver should be more valuable. Though someone currently on their roster—like Little, considering Travis Benjamin proved himself better-suited to working the outside along Gordon—could take up this role, none would compare to the boost to the offense that Welker would bring.


In Welker's time with the Patriots, he's had but one season without 1,000 receiving yards. That same season—2010—was also his only in New England without 100 receptions. Granted, that's with Brady throwing to him, so expectations should be tempered in Cleveland, whether it's Brandon Weeden or someone else as his quarterback, but his ability to catch much of what's thrown to him would provide the Browns with an additional, much-needed weapon to extend drives.



Yes, Mike Wallace has talent, but Welker brings more than just on-field skill.



Further, Welker would bring a veteran presence to Cleveland's quite young receiving corps and the offense, in general. Weeden, Benjamin, Gordon and Cooper are all entering their second seasons in the NFL, while Little has been in the league for three. A player with Welker's experience can provide a bit of mentorship to these young players and teach them some of the more nuanced aspects of the receiver position and the passing game.
Welker can make an impact on the field no matter where he's targeted. The only area of the field in which he didn't catch a pass in 2012 was outside the numbers on the right at a depth of 20 or more yards, where he was thrown to four times. While he is almost equally as versatile, his preference is the deep ball. And when Wallace wasn't getting that kind of attention from Ben Roethlisberger in 2012, the receiver's production dropped, which he attributed to an inability to focus.


The only area in which Wallace has performed better than Welker since 2009 is in scoring. Welker's highest touchdown total in that time was nine, in 2011, while Wallace had 10 in 2010 and eight in each of the last two seasons. But that's due in part to how each receiver was used in their respective systems and not an indicator that Welker wouldn't be a scoring threat in Cleveland.





Welker can come at a lower price tag over time than Wallace—Welker is nearly 32 years old and likely won't be in the league for many more years, while Wallace is just 26 years old and looking for a lucrative long-term deal. The reason why the Patriots don't want to tag Welker this year is based on price—$11.6 million in 2013. He'd not get that kind of money in a two-year deal in Cleveland, but that's what Wallace could cost, if not more, on a contract at least twice as long.


Wallace is also a boom-or-bust type of receiver who relies on his quarterback making him a better player rather than the other way around. Welker, in contrast, could help Weeden or whoever Cleveland's quarterback is this year just by being on the field. Welker is more of an upgrade for the Browns and at a far better price, whether he's paired up with Brady, Weeden, Colt McCoy or anyone else.
Welker needs to be on the top of the Browns' free-agent priority list this offseason, not Wallace. Yes, Wallace is tempting—he's a flashy, speedy, scoring threat and, even better, he'd be taken away from the Steelers and wearing the uniform of their oldest rivals. But for nearly guaranteed results, leadership abilities and a more manageable cap hit, Welker is the far better addition to the team.

[gobrowns]

I'd still rather have Mike Wallace. He'd be a nice addition to our already young and improving WR core.

[brooks1957]

Can't argue with your point, gobrowns, about having a second burner on the outside. Really, really could open up Trent's running lanes because of the dual deep threat. (Although as I posted previously - I don't care for Wallace's baggage).

I just think having a great hands receiver that knows how to get open 10-15 yards downfield would come into play much more often than an over the top strike.

[VetteDawg]

That'll teach Welker for dropping that ball in the surperbowl. Banished to Cleveland.
(he's a good receiver)

[Me4Pres]

I can see Chud wanting Welker. When he was successful here in Cleveland, he had a veteran guy that he could count on when he needed a 1st down in Jurevicius. Welker might be that same type of player.

[brooks1957]

That's what I'm thinking, me4pres. And I'd only expect him to be here for two years. But if things fall right, think of the lessons Josh Cooper would learn in two seasons of Wes Welker's tutelage........

And here's the clinching fact that Welker will be here next season - no one has jersey #83 on the Browns currently.

[Bobby Nacho]

Wallace doesn't impress me, and living in Pittsburgh, I get their games ever week.
He pouted when the Steelers wouldn't pony up for a new contract.
He gave up on plays, took plays off, and just flat out didn't care.
He really hurt him team, as well as his chances returning.
I don't care for his attitude or his work ethic

I'd take a 32 year old Welker any day, but I don't think he's leaving New England for the Browns.

[comigar]

Can't argue with your point, gobrowns, about having a second burner on the outside. Really, really could open up Trent's running lanes because of the dual deep threat. (Although as I posted previously - I don't care for Wallace's baggage).

I just think having a great hands receiver that knows how to get open 10-15 yards downfield would come into play much more often than an over the top strike.

I would have no issues with Welker being a Brown. But i will have to look at some more tape of Turner and Chud's offenses. They like to use the TE a whole lot, i am not sure how many 3 receiver sets they use, as i think they tend to use the TE in that role.

If they play 2wr and 1 te sets a majority of the time i would prefer Wallace as he would be one of the 2 receivers.

If they use a ton of 1 te and 3 wr's i would not mind Welker at all.

[Grump]

I would love to have Welker, but I really think its a pipe dream, as in somebody is smoking a crack pipe.

[KCLV]

No way. Welker sucks. Can't run, can't catch, knee injury, only decent because tom bradys ridiculous. He's not THAT bad, but he is bullshit, ina small package. No fing way