Welker Signs With Denver. Now What?

Wow. This all feels so incredibly wrong and dirty.  The Patriots will no longer have #83 lining up in the slot next season.  Before I get into it I just want to congratulate Wes on getting paid.  He deserved it.  He deserves nothing short of a standing ovation in his return to New England.  With that being said, what the fuck is up with the Pats?  Welker's contract with Denver is for 2 years 12 million.  So you're telling me the Pats weren't willing to match that?  Pathetic. This is Wes Welker we're talking about. Outside of Brady, this guy has been the staple of the franchise. I know the Pats are conservative in terms of paying players but this just seems like they're being unreasonably cheap.

Obviously, I'm not happy about this news.  But I don't think the Pats are screwed.  Aaron Hernandez is being paid wide receiver money and you can expect him to become the "slot receiver".  We still have Gronk, Brady, and Ridley.  The real question marks come on the outside.  Earlier reports had Lloyd being cut, but with Welker leaving it could make the Pats rethink bringing Brandon back.  If they don't bring him back they'd have to fill the void.  Could it be the draft? Greg Jennings is still available but he's gonna probably demand more money than what Welker got.  For Julian Edelman, I think its fair to assume he'll be back, especially with Welker leaving.  I've heard some people say Edelman could play opposite another outside receiver, but I just don't see that working.  He seems more like a slot guy to compliment Hernandez.

Danny Amendola is the hot name being thrown around.  Again, he's the same size as Edelman, so playing on the outside probably wouldn't be the best spot for him.  The team needs atleast one outside receiver with size and physicality.  It's gonna be exciting and stressful to watch what the Patriots do these next few days and weeks.  If it were up to me, I'd focus on getting that outside WR threat.  Whatever they do, I hope it isn't to bring in the Reche Caldwell's and Doug Gabriels of the world like they did in 2006.  Tom Brady can't afford that at this stage of his career.