The New England Patriots have 18 unrestricted and restricted free agents but none more important than star receiver WESLEY CARTER WELKER. Below is some thoughts on Welker and other restricted free agents that the Patriots need to have in uniform when the 2012 season starts.
1.) WES WELKER, Wide Receiver/Unrestricted Free Agent
Why: Welker has been a member of the Patriots since 2007, and he has led in catches and yards every single season that he has been employed with them. Five years and four over 1,000 yard receiving seasons (it would have been five consecutive seasons but in 2010 he missed one game and he was de-emphasized in their offense after Week 15 of that season which left him at 848 yards receiving). When he is out of the lineup the Patriots feel it.
2.) KYLE LOVE, Defensive Tackle/Restricted Free Agent
Why: Love is an up and coming player who can thrive in the Patriots multiple defensive line schemes and looks. He is a pass rusher (3 sacks) and he can defend the run (33 tackles). He still is a work in progress but Love can help their defensive line down the line with his unrealized, fully, potential. He is one of the more active and athletic defensive linemen the Patriots have. Makes just over $400K and that is a bargain for what type of player he is and can become.
3.) BENJARVUS GREEN-ELLIS, Running Back/Unrestricted Free Agent
Why: He made just under $1.9 million in 2011. Green-Ellis is not a star and never will be, but he is right for the Pats offense and he is very effective for them. He can run between the guards and outside of them and he has been able to mix that running style up effectively. He has led the Pats in rushing yards for the past two seasons. His running style gets first downs, it sets up touchdowns, and it take s pressure off of TOM BRADY.
4.) ROB GRONKOWSKI, Tight End/Restricted Free Agent
Why: Um, did you see the type of season this guy had and was capable of in 2011? Gronkowski proved that he is big-time receiving threat this past season and all he needs to do is continue that success and have the Patriots believe in him, and give him a raise from his just over $400K salary. He led the entire NFL in receiving touchdowns with 17, by a tight end!!
5.) DAN CONNOLLY, Center/Unrestricted Free Agent
Why: When regular starter DAN KOPPEN went down to injury in Week 1, Connolly started nine straight games in his [Koppen] stead. Connolly didn’t set the world on fire as a starter at center in 2011 but he did a solid job and didn’t give the Pats reason to worry about if he could do the job or not. He made just under $1.2 million in 2011 which is way less than what Koppen made in the same year at $4.4 million, but the latter is younger (by three years) and ready to assume the starting center position if and when Koppen skips town through free agency.
