Tag Archives: Wes Welker

May 17 2012

Patriots Offering Welker Less Money Than 2011

By Matt Noonan 

Earlier this week, various reports, as well as a Wes Welker tweet confirmed that the New England Patriots wide receiver had agreed to sign his franchise tender, which guarantees him a one-year deal worth $9.5 million. However, after the deal was finalized, sources confirmed that Welker and the Patriots  have until July 15 to hash out a long term contract.

On Thursday, ProFootballTalk.com confirmed that the Patriots are offering Welker less than an original deal from the 2011 season, which was two-years, $16 million. Although, despite the various negotiations, Welker is determined to focus on football, and get ready for the upcoming 2012 season.

May 16 2012

Daily Noontime – May 16, 2012

Josh Beckett pitched seven innings on Tuesday, and picked up his third win on the bump! (Photo Credit: Mass Live)

By NoontimeSports.com 

It’s “hump day,” which means this work week is slowly coming to an end. However, before the day gets too old, lets dish out some headlines and news.

* The Boston Red Sox earned their fifth consecutive win, and matched their April winning streak by defeating the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday afternoon, 5-0. Josh Beckett picked up his third win on the bump, while David Ortiz smacked his eighth home run of the season. Also, former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was honored prior to Tuesday’s contest against the Mariners.

* Boston is now 17-19 overall, and will begin an eight game road trip on Wednesday when they travel to Tampa Bay for a two-game series.

* The Celtics will look to rebound on Wednesday evening, and capture Game No. 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston spent Tuesday in the film room prior to their flight to re-watch both matches against their semi-final opponent.

* New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker inked his name on a one-year franchise tender on Tuesday, while various reports confirmed that seventh-round draft pick Alfonzo Dennard will be arraigned May 30 for a third-degree felony assault of a police officer.

May 15 2012

Welker Signs Franchise Tender

Wes Welker inked his name on his franchise tender on Tuesday! (Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)

By Matt Noonan 

Various reports confirmed on Tuesday that New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker signed his franchise tender.

Welker, who had expressed previously on the NFL Network that he was in no rush to sign his tender, will be under contract for one-year, and be guaranteed $9.515 million for the upcoming season.

However, if the Patriots and Welker wish to continue their current partnership beyond the 2012 campaign, they’ll need to negotiate a contract between now and July 15. If both sides don’t reach an agreement, the highly touted wide receiver will have to play with his current one-year deal.

New England has spent the past few weeks and months bolstering their receiving core by adding Brandon Lloyd, Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Stallworth, but will certainly appreciate having their most reliable target back on the field.

Welker concluded the 2011 season with 122 receptions, and nine touchdowns.

Apr 24 2012

Daily Noontime – April 24, 2012

Cody Ross smacked two long balls, which helped Boston snap their five-game losing streak in Monday! (Photo Credit: ESPN)

By NoontimeSports.com 

It’s Tuesday, which means this week is slowly motoring along. And while we anxiously await Game No. 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Wednesday, let’s jumpstart the day with some news, notes and headlines.

* Cody Ross hit two home runs, and Daniel Bard recorded his first win as a reliever, as Boston snapped their five-game skid and defeated the Minnesota Twins, 6-5.

* Against the Twins, Adrian Gonzalez recorded his 10th RBI, while Ross registered his 13th. Also, Alfredo Aceves earned his third save of the season.

* Boston and Minnesota will return to the diamond on Tuesday for an 8:10pm start – Josh Beckett opposes Nick Blackburn.

* The Boston Celtics will play their second to last regular season contests on Tuesday, too, as they welcome the Miami Heat to the TD Garden for an 8PM tip-off. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett may not play against the Heat, as head coach Doc Rivers indicated during Monday’s practice that both players may one of the remaining contests.

* Wes Welker apparently will be making a few appearances on various ESPN shows on Tuesday and will also be hosting a live online chat, too.

* Finally, the Boston Bruins seventh game of their quarterfinal series against Washington will begin at 7:30pm on Wednesday.

Mar 14 2012

Daily Noontime – March 14, 2012

The Tampa Bay Lightning beat-up the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, 6-1! (Photo Credit: SB Nation)

By NoontimeSports.com 

Happy Wednesday to everyone! Let’s get the day started with some headlines and news from Boston and New England!

* The Boston Bruins trailed Tampa Bay by four goals after one period, and never recovered, as the Lightning beat-up the Black and Gold on Tuesday, 6-1. Jordan Caron netted the only goal for Boston, while Marty Turco and Tim Thomas combined for 11 saves between the pipes. Boston is currently 1-3 in their last four contests, and will attempt to end their three-game skid on Thursday when they face-off against Florida.

* Sources confirmed that the New England Patriots are working toward finalizing a deal with wide receiver Matthew Slater, which should be completed by Wednesday. Also, there is no news on Wes Welker‘s contract, but it’s possible that due to various free agent signings, he’ll be asking for a decent amount of money.

* The Boston Celtics will return to the hardwood on Wednesday evening when they tip-off against the Golden State Warriors. Boston is 1-1 on their current eight-game road swing, and have won three of their last five matches.

* UMass’ men’s basketball team earned a first round NIT victory against Mississippi State on Tuesday, 101-96 in double overtime. The Minutemen will return to the hardwood on Thursday when they take on Seton Hall.

* Finally, the Boston Red Sox picked up their seventh win in the Grapefruit League on Tuesday, as they defeated the New York Yankees, 1-0.

Mar 5 2012

Patriots Tag Wes Welker

The New England Patriots slapped the franchise tag on wide receiver Wes Welker on Monday. (Photo Credit: Bleacher Report)

By NoontimeSports.com 

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker became the 16th NFL player to be tagged on Monday afternoon, according to various sources.

The Patriots announced via a statement that this particular tag would allow them more time to construct a contract that’ll keep the NFL’s leading pass catcher to remain in New England, and not venture elsewhere.

Welker finished the 2011 campaign with 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. He also rushed the ball four times for 30 yards, but didn’t register a score.

Finally, ever since he joined the Patriots in 2007, he’s registered 554 receptions, and 31 touchdowns, as well as led the league in most catches three times, (2007, 2009, 2011).

Feb 6 2012

Daily Noontime – February 6, 2012

Eli Manning once again led New York past New England in Super Bowl XLVI. (Photo Credit: SB Nation)

By NoontimeSports.com 

It’s Monday in New England, and while many continue to dry their eyes from Sunday’s Super Bowl loss, let’s attempt to turn the page with some news and headlines.

* The New York Giants once again defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, 21-17. Eli Manning completed 30 of 40 passes for 296 yards and on touchdown, while Ahmad Bradshaw scored the game winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Also, the Patriots recorded five penalties for 28 yards, too. Manning was named the MVP for the second time in four years, as the Giants earned their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history.

* The Boston Celtics won their fourth consecutive contest on Sunday at the TD Garden, as they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 98-80. Kevin Garnett led the Green and White with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Rajon Rondo handed out 14 assists. Boston will return to the hardwood on Tuesday when they host the Charlotte Bobcats.

* The Boston Bruins snapped their two-game losing streak on Sunday in Washington D.C., as the Black and Gold defeated the Capitals, 4-1. Tim Thomas turned away 35 shots, while Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley all scored goal for Boston. The Bruins will conclude their short road trip on Wednesday when they travel to Buffalo.

* Lastly, Monday marks the first day of the men’s Boston Beanpot, which enters its 60th year. Boston University will face-off against Harvard at 5pm, while Boston College will take on Northeastern at 8pm.

Oct 13 2011

Tom Brady vs. the Dallas Cowboys

Tom Brady has experienced a great deal of success against the Dallas Cowboys.

By Matt Noonan 

Tom Brady will face the Dallas Cowboys for the third time in his career on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Brady has led New England to two wins in the past eight seasons against Dallas and would certainly like to pick up his third victory against “America’s Team” before the Patriots enter their bye week on Monday.

Here’s a statistical breakdown of Brady’s past two games against Dallas, enjoy.

New England 12 – Dallas 0 (Nov. 16, 2003) – Brady completed 15-of-34 passes for 212 yards, but didn’t register a single touchdown or interception. The Patriots relied upon their ground game and defense, which registered three interceptions against Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter.

New England 48 – Dallas 27 (October 14, 2007)– Brady completed five touchdown passes, as well as finished the game with 388 passing yards and 31 completions. The Patriots offense decimated the Cowboys secondary, as Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth led New England’s receivers with 260 yards and 18 receptions.

Oct 12 2011

Recapping the Cowboys-Patriots Season Series

Dallas leads the series against New England, but the Patriots have won the last three meetings!

By Matt Noonan 

The Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots will meet on Sunday at Gillette Stadium and certainly, I think many NFL fans are excited for this particular matchup.

Both teams have met 10 times during the regular season, yet despite Dallas’s seven wins, New England has won the last three meetings by a combined score of 73-33.

Here’s a recap of the past ten meetings between these two squads, enjoy.

Dallas 44 – New England 21 (Oct. 24, 1971): Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach completed 13-of-21 passes for 197 yards, and tossed two touchdowns, as well as rushed for one score, as Dallas prevailed and earned their fourth win of the season.

Dallas 34 – New England 31 (Nov. 16, 1975): Trailing Dallas 17-10 at halftime, the Patriots rallied to outscore the Cowboys, 21-17 during the final two quarters, but couldn’t muster their fourth victory of the year. Quarterback Jim Plunkett finished the game with three touchdowns, two interceptions, while Roger Staubach tossed three touchdowns – two to Drew Pearson and one to Golden Richards.

Dallas 17 – New England 10 (Dec. 3, 1978): Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach connected with Billy Joe DuPree during the final quarter, which secured Dallas’s third win against New England.

Dallas 35 – New England 21 (Sept. 21, 1981): Cowboys place-kicker Rafael Septien kicked three fourth quarter field goals, which helped Dallas earn their third victory of the ’81 season.

Dallas 20 – New England 17 (Nov. 22, 1984): The Patriots outscored the Cowboys, 14-3 during the final quarter, but couldn’t stop Rafael Septien, who kicked the game winning field goal.

Dallas 23 – New England 17 (Nov. 15, 1987):  Cowboys running back Herschel Walker scored the game winning touchdown in overtime, and ended the Patriots fourth quarter rally. Danny White recorded one touchdown pass and two interceptions, while Steve Grogan and Tom Ramsey combined for one touchdown, one interception, and 209 passing yards.

Dallas 12 – New England 6 (Dec. 15, 1996):  Both Drew Bledsoe and Troy Aikman combined for five interceptions, as well as watched their place kickers, Adam Vinatieri and Chris Boniol combine for six field goals.

New England 13 – Dallas 6 (Dec. 15, 1999): Terry Allen rushed for 53 yards on 18 carries, as well as one touchdown, which gave the Patriots their first win against Dallas.

New England 12 – Dallas 0 (Nov. 16, 2003): Adam Vinatieri kicked two field goals, while Antowain Smith rushed for the only touchdown, as head coach Bill Belichick spoiled Bill Parcell’s Foxborough homecoming at Gillette Stadium.

New England 48 – Dallas 27 (Oct. 14, 2007):  Quarterback Tom Brady connected with Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker,Randy Moss and Kyle Brady for five touchdown passes, as the Patriots embarrassed the Cowboys in Texas and on national television.

Aug 31 2011

NFL Preseason Week 4 – News and Notes

Troy Aikman and Skip Bayless apparently aren't seeing eye-to-eye these days!

By Matt Noonan 

Week four of the NFL preseason concludes on Thursday, which means the regular season is right around the corner

Here’s a couple of headlines and news from Wednesday afternoon and evening, which you’ll certainly enjoy.

* According to a recent report, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman admitted on the radio that the next time he sees ESPN’s Skip Bayless, he might take a swing at him. Yet, what exactly prompted Aikman to say these fine words? Well, because Bayless stated in his book, Hell Bent that Aikman was gay. Of course, this statement is incredibly false, so obviously, Aikman does have the right to be angry, however, shouldn’t Bayless apologize for his error? Who knows, but seriously, this isn’t exactly football news, but instead, juicy commentary and gossip.

* The Washington Post published an interesting piece on the Redskins head coach Mike Shannahan, who apparently isn’t “Mr. Nice Guy.” Although, what exactly does that mean? Shannahan didn’t experience the greatest amount of success last season, especially since defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth stole a majority of the headlines before quarterback Donovan McNabb threw a tantrum in October and November. Shannahan knows how to win, so hopefully, this is a sign that things are turning around because otherwise, he, as well as his team will falter, again.

* New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker won’t play on Thursday against the New York “Football” Giants due to a recent head injury, which he sustained after a tackle in Detroit last weekend. Although, Welker admitted that the decision to play falls on the shoulders of head coach Bill Belichick and the training staff. Keeping Welker out of Thursday’s game is probably a good decision, especially since it’s the least important preseason game.

* Last Wednesday, I mentioned an interesting story about Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and his starting job. Well, once again, he’s another important figure this week, especially since Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers will decide his role with the team. Yet, no matter the outcome, expect Newton to play a majority of the second half of the upcoming regular season, especially since they’ll have to play him at some point this year, right?