2 Years Later: Welker or Amendola?

Just shy of 2 years ago, Wes Welker and the New England Patriots parted ways. Something many Patriots fans, myself included, thought would never happen. Welker, Brady's best friend on and off the field, retiring in another uniform? Not in a million years. But it happened. Several things contributed to "the separation." Welker and Belichick didn't always see eye-to-eye; Wes had been under a lot of scrutiny after having a couple big drops in the postseason; and of course, he was 31 then, and wanted more money than the Patriots were willing to spend. At the time, I was flat out pissed at the Patriots for not making more of an effort to keep him around. Welker has just always been my favorite player. Bringing in Amendola to essentially replace Wes just didn't sit well with me. Because in my mind, no one was going to replace Welker. The chemistry he and Brady had was out of this world. His productivity was insane, hard to beat. But we've found someone who fills the role pretty well. Edelman has essentially emerged as Wes Welker 2.0. Maybe even better. 

The scenarios:
As free agency approaches, many people are wondering what happens with Danny Amendola. As the guy who was brought in to be Welker's replacement, he hasn't quite lived up that over the past 2 seasons. Partly due to injuries he's had to battle, and partly due to the fact that he doesn't get used as often and as much as Welker did. Why? Because up until recently, he hadn't earned Brady's complete trust on the field. And when you have Gronk and Edelman, Brady's security blankets, why risk it with the new guy? Amendola did prove his worth during the postseason stretch, though. He might actually get my vote for postseason MVP. 
Wes Welker denied reports that he was mulling retirement, earlier this week. In my opinion, as a huge #83 fan, retiring would be in his best interest. Too many head injuries, too close together for me to be comfortable with. His contract is up in Denver and I don't think they're planning on bringing him back. He's had a great career and put up some crazy good numbers. One of the be2st slot receivers of this decade. The one thing he's missing, the one thing that's keeping him from being a sure-thing HOFer? A Super Bowl Championship. In his career, Welker has played in 3 Super Bowls, and lost each one. You know he still feels like he has something to prove...

The questions:

• If the Patriots and Amendola part ways for whatever reason, and Welker hits the market (which is likely), is there any chance of a Welker/Pats reunion?                                       I've heard a bunch of speculation about this, and as good as it may sound, I really don't see it happening. We don't really need Welker, and I don't really see him and Belichick becoming best friends over the next month. Belichick isn't going to apologize to Welker (whether you think he should or not is your opinion) and Wes is probably still looking for an apology...So in my opinion, there's no way Welker is ever suiting up for the Pats, again. 
• If Amendola doesn't take a pay cut, and decides to move on, who do the Pats sign to replace him? If Amendola and the Patriots can't restructure his contract to a team friendly deal, let him go. While he came up big in the postseason, that's really all he's done in his two years here. If there is one person I'd like to see the Patriots sign as another "Welker replacement", it would be Devon Wylie. Very similar mindset, skills, and body type. 
• Okay, so say Brady really wants Wes back and begs Robert Kraft and Belichick to bring him back...then does it happen? To be honest, Wes still isn't Bill's biggest fan, and while Belichick doesn't exactly like anyone, he really doesn't like Welker. There is no way in the world that Belichick apologizes to Welker, gives him the kind of money he probably wants, annnd fakes a smile and BS's it when asked how happy he is to have Wes back...all in the same year? No way. 
• So you're saying the Patriots would be okay without Welker or Amendola?! New England's offense has changed quite a bit over the past couple seasons. Edelman does a fine job filling Welker's old role, and we've added new pieces to give us a more balanced, well-rounded offense. I don't want Amendola to leave, but I think we could survive. He's going to make some team very happy... (but really, Devon Wylie!)

Basically, what I'm saying is that neither Welker nor Amendola is completely vital to this teams success. I like both and think they're great players. Welker's recent head injuries are something to be concerned about, as is Amendola's injury proneness. When healthy, you won't find many other receivers who can do it better. I do believe though, that at 33, Welker is past his prime. He's no longer a number 1, go-to type of a guy. More like a #3, every once in a while, player. 

Looking back on it almost 2 years later, the Patriots made the right choice by not overspending on Welker and signing Amendola. Welker will always have a special place in every Patriots fan's heart, and we will forever be grateful for everything he did for this team. When all is said and done, forcing Brady to be a little uncomfortable and having to adjust to a receiving corp without his security blanket (Welker), did nothing but help both the team and Brady himself, further cementing his place as one of the best to ever do it. Who else could have done what Brady is doing, so consistently, with such an ever-changing supporting cast? The past 2 seasons, the Patriots' receiving corps was 3 rookies, Gronk, who struggled to stay healthy, and Julian Edelman emerging as the #1 go-to-guy...something he was never really supposed to be. To sum it up...the Patriots knew what they were doing. It just wasn't always easy to see it. 

As always, go Patriots.