The Facts: As Welker continues difficult negotiations with the Patriots, according to a source and published reports, the receiver has an important equation to consider: Does he go for a contract that's worth every possible dollar with a team that is likely not the Patriots? Or does he go for a contract with New England that likely earns him most of the money and increases his chances of creating a legacy? Or as one source with a passing understanding of Welker's situation explained: "You can sign a $40 million contract, but you might only make 70 percent of it. Is that better than signing a $30 million contract that you make 100 percent of?"

Diehards Line: So, as Yahoo's Jason Cole summed it up, is Welker better off leaving New England for potentially a couple or few million dollars more on one contract (let's say three years, $33 million) vs. staying with the Patriots for slightly less (let's say three years and $30 million)? What's important to consider is Welker's somewhat mild disdain for the Patriots right now, a source close to Welker told Cole. Welker apparently is a little miffed at how he was treated in last year's opener, when offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had him targeted for a season-low five pass attempts that resulted in a season-low three receptions. There's also a strong belief that Welker would have been limited to far fewer than the 118 receptions he finished with last season if TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez hadn't suffered injuries that cost each significant time. "In short," Cole wrote, "there's a little paranoia in the Welker camp these days about his role with the Pats. ..." Stay tuned.