Former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest hammered Wes Welker on Tuesday, blasting the receiver for hinting that he’d skip the team’s mandatory June minicamp unless he got a long-term deal.
“I just don’t like the diva attitude,” McGinest, who played for the Patriots from 1994 to 2005, said on “NFL Total Access” on Tuesday. “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. So due to a big part of the Patriots system and Tom Brady, he’s had five years where he's had over 100 catches.
“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. Of my 12 years, of my tenure in New England, no matter how big you were or who you were, nobody said 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.”
Welker has been assigned the franchise tag, but he has yet to sign the tender.
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