An inside source close to the negotiations between the New England Patriots and wide receiver Wes Welker 
told Pro Football Talk that the two sides are not close to a deal, "literally and philosophically." If Welker does not sign the deal, he would play the 2012 season with the franchise tag. The Boston Globe reported last weekend that the gap in negotiations is estimated to be about $6 million in guaranteed money. At age 31, Welker could be signing the final contract of his highly-productive career.
Fantasy Analysis:
So the deal is not "philosophically" close? What does that even mean? "To sign or not to sign?" All lame Shakespeare jokes aside, Welker has consistently been a one-man fantasy football wrecking crew and deserves a big-time contract. In his five seasons with the Patriots, he has caught 554 receptions for 6,105 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. Welker had a huge year in 2011 with career-highs in receiving yards, yards per catch and touchdowns. It may be risky for the Pats to give Welker, now 31 years old, a lot of money but he should still be considered a PPR machine for fantasy owners.
