McGinest isn't pleased with how Welker is handling his contract situation.
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker Willie McGinest has a message for Wes Welker: Shut up and play.
The former New England Patriots linebacker and current NFL Network analyst went on the air Tuesday and ripped into Welker for saying that he may skip mandatory team activities if he is not given a long-term contract.
“I just don’t like the diva attitude,” McGinest said of Welker, who is set to earn $9.5 million in 2012 if he signs the franchise tender extended to him in March. “Let’s keep it real. Prior to the Patriots, this is a guy who played three years, had 96 receptions, never had a 1,000-yard season.
“This $9 million-plus that they’re offering is half of his last contract. That’s a lot of money. Let’s not forget that they signed Brandon Lloyd, they signed (Anthony Gonzalez), they signed (Deion) Branch back, they got the two tight ends; they have weapons on that offense.
"So look, Wes, it’s time to take off the leopard-printed cowboy boots, get off the party tour and get back to work. (During) my tenure in New England, no matter how big you were or who you were, nobody said that they weren’t coming to a mandatory minicamp. If you know anything about New England, understand that you’re expendable. Unless you’re Bill Belichick or Tom Brady, you’re expendable.”
Some clarification: Welker spent two seasons at receiver and made three starts for Miami between the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The comment about the "leopard-printed cowboy boots" was a shot at a pair of boots Welker wore during an interview on the NFL Network earlier this month.
Our take on all of this: It's hard to see how Welker is a "diva." He spent the last five seasons playing at a discounted price and never complained about his contract.
It's also hard to see how Welker can be classified a "diva" after returning to the field in time for the 2010 opener after tearing his ACL during the 2009 finale and undergoing surgery that February.
Welker has been the ultimate team player during his tenure in New England, and there's nothing wrong with him trying to get paid. He hasn't done anything to disrupt the team to this point, so it's a little odd for McGinest to be so enraged this early in the process.