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New England Patriots
Wes Welker seemed pretty thrilled after signing a franchise tender, but things may have gotten slightly worse for the Patriots receiver in his negotiations with the team. Welker said that negotiations haven't been going well and that the Patriots' latest offer was actually less than the two-year, $16 million guaranteed deal he was reportedly offered at the end of last season. Did he give up his leverage by signing the tender?
Giving up the upper hand?
If Welker hadn't signed his tender recently, the Patriots might have been more inclined to lock him down with a new contract. Of course, they may have seen it as a lack of commitment.
Long-term deal?
Welker has been the Patriots' safety valve on offense -- he's seemingly impossible to cover and regularly records double-digit receptions.
Over- or under-paid?
Regardless of whether he inks a new deal, Welker's $9.5 million salary this season is a big upgrade for him.
A product of the system?
Welker had a solid career before signing with New England, but he really took off once paired with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, responding to a question about cheating in the NFL, said that the Patriots' three titles ''have been stained'' due to the Spygate scandal. Later, he amended his statement to say that he was referring to popular perception of the titles, and that he believed the Patriots earned their Super Bowls. Do you see the Patriots' titles as tainted?
- KyleBron834854: "I don't see this as a shot to Belichick. It's the truth. I am a loyal Patriots fan, but when you cheat it does change things. We just don't know how long it was going on, it may or may not have affected those titles, but we'll never know. "
- thesemenarecowards: "All Harbaugh is saying is "it isn't worth it" because everyone will always hold it against you after you get caught. He is right."
- NYG109190: "Hey Harbaugh, instead of whining about cheating 5 years ago, why don't you just beat the Pats? Like the Giants have . . . twice. "
- EKUWilliams: "John Harbaugh says it and its set in stone, just cause he says so. There were a lot of guys who worked hard for those teams, sacrificed a lot. To say that a human beings accomplishments are stained is selfish and inconsiderate. Really this is an opinion a humble better person would know to keep to themselves and in their clubhouse. "
- tritonsarmy: "Got to be honest guys maybe they would or wouldn't have won those championships. But ask your self, if it wasn't an advantage to it why were they doing it? And why was it against the rules? "
- Lamar5255: "Hogwash. Every team cheats. The Pats and Saints just got caught. Harbaugh is just jealous."
Join the conversation or respond by signing in or creating a profile and blogging.
On Friday, "First Take" graded the Patriots' first-round draft picks. As usual, New England managed to end up with two first-round picks, but unusually, Bill Belichick actually traded up twice in the draft. The Patriots tend to stockpile their picks, so this may be the end result of that strategy. Eric Mangini and Christian Fauria gave the Patriots an A+, while Skip Bayless, somewhat disappointed with the Dont'a Hightower pick, gave them a B-. What's your take?
Eli triumphant?
SportsNation could barely pick a winner after more than 800,000 votes, but in the end, the small majority that favored the Giants proved to be in the right, as Eli Manning's squad triumphed over the fading Patriots dynasty.
Did the Patriots blow it?
The Giants played well in the fourth quarter to seal the win, but was the game lost thanks to a series of uncharacteristic Patriots errors?
The worst error?
Speaking of those mistakes, it's tough to determine which was the worst by New England. When your game starts off with a safety, however, you know you're in for a bad night.
Better catch?
The Giants needed two big-time catches in their most recent Super Bowl wins -- one from David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII and another from Mario Manningham in Super Bowl XLVI.
Should Gronkowski have played?
Rob Gronkowski was a nonfactor in the Super Bowl, catching two passes for 26 yards and indirectly contributing to a momentum-killing interception when he was outpositioned by Chase Blackburn on a deep pass.
The game: How confident are you?
When it comes to picking a winner, SportsNation voters are split down the middle after almost 500,000 votes. But how confident are you that you're right?
The game: Will Rob Gronkowski help?
With Rob Gronkowski's father replacing Rob Lowe as the most unlikely NFL insider, the tight end's ankle has been the story of Super Bowl week.
The game: Can Tom Brady be rattled?
The Giants made news this week (not that it's difficult during Super Bowl week) by suggesting they rattled Tom Brady in a Week 9 win.
The game: Who will win MVP?
Quarterbacks have claimed four of the past five Super Bowl MVP awards, including Eli Manning the last time these teams met.
The music: Kelly Clarkson or Madonna?
It seems safe to assume Madonna is the bigger pop icon, but is the halftime performer a better singer than Kelly Clarkson, who will handle the national anthem?
The commercials: Are they still good?
It may be the only day all year when people look forward to the commercial breaks, but have Super Bowl ads lost any luster?
The food: What's to eat?
All those New Year's dietary resolutions go out the window on Super Bowl Sunday, as the food comes in the door. But what's the must-have food?
The legacy: All on line for Patriots?
The winner of this game will become just the fifth franchise with at least four Super Bowl wins, but are the Patriots already in the mix for an even greater legacy?
Which coach has more on the line?
Bill Belichick could join Chuck Noll and become only the second coach with four Super Bowl wins, but if you feel Belichick's legacy is secure either way, would a second win for Tom Coughlin mean more?
The toughest test for Belichick?
Mike Martz has the best winning percentage among coaches who faced Belichick in a Super Bowl, followed by Andy Reid (.609) and then Coughlin (.555).
Will Coughlin's seat finally cool?
It was about a month ago that Coughlin's job seemed in jeopardy ... again. Would he earn a reprieve from the hot seat with a second ring?
Who are the best coaches with a Super Bowl win?
For the first time in a long time, we know the Super Bowl won't produce a new member of the club every coach wants to join. Both Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin already have Super Bowl wins, making them two of just 28 coaches to do so. Who are the best in that club?
Super Bowl coaches
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
Record: 3-1
Super Bowl XXXVI
Patriots 20, Rams 17
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Patriots 32, Panthers 29
Super Bowl XXXIX
Patriots 24, Eagles 21
Super Bowl XLII
Patriots 14, Giants 17
Brian Billick
Brian Billick
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XXXV
Ravens 34, Giants 7
Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLII
Giants 17, Patriots 14
Bill Cowher
Bill Cowher
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl XXX
Steelers 17, Cowboys 27
Super Bowl XL
Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XX
Bears 46, Patriots 10
Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLI
Colts 29, Bears 17
Weeb Ewbank
Weeb Ewbank
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl III
Jets 16, Colts 7
Tom Flores
Tom Flores
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XV
Raiders 27, Eagles 10
Super Bowl XVIII
Raiders 38, Redskins 9
Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs
Record: 3-1
Super Bowl XVII
Redskins 27, Dolphins 17
Super Bowl XVIII
Redskins 9, Raiders 38
Super Bowl XXII
Redskins 42, Broncos 10
Super Bowl XXVI
Redskins 37, Bills 24
Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XXXVII
Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21
Mike Holmgren
Mike Holmgren
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl XXXI
Packers 35, Patriots 21
Super Bowl XXXII
Packers 24, Broncos 31
Super Bowl XL
Seahawks 10, Steelers 21
Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XXVII
Cowboys 52, Bills 17
Super Bowl XXVIII
Cowboys 30, Bills 13
Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Record: 2-3
Super Bowl V
Cowboys 13, Colts 16
Super Bowl VI
Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3
Super Bowl X
Cowboys 17, Steelers 21
Super Bowl XII
Cowboys 27, Broncos 10
Super Bowl XIII
Cowboys 31, Steelers 36
Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl I
Packers 35, Chiefs 10
Super Bowl II
Packers 33, Raiders 14
John Madden
John Madden
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XI
Raiders 32, Vikings 14
Don McCafferty
Don McCafferty
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl V
Colts 16, Cowboys 13
Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLV
Packers 31, Steelers 25
Chuck Noll
Chuck Noll
Record: 4-0
Super Bowl IX
Steelers 16, Vikings 6
Super Bowl X
Steelers 21, Cowboys 17
Super Bowl XIII
Steelers 35, Cowboys 31
Super Bowl XIV
Steelers 31, Rams 19
Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl XXI
Giants 39, Broncos 20
Super Bowl XXV
Giants 20, Bills 19
Super Bowl XXXI
Patriots 21, Packers 35
Sean Payton
Sean Payton
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLIV
Saints 31, Colts 17
George Seifert
George Seifert
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XXIV
49ers 55, Broncos 10
Super Bowl XXIX
48ers 49, Chargers 26
Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XXXII
Broncos 31, Packers 24
Super Bowl XXXIII
Broncos 34, Falcons 19
Don Shula
Don Shula
Record: 2-4
Super Bowl III
Colts 7, Jets 16
Super Bowl VI
Dolphins 3, Cowboys 24
Super Bowl VII
Dolphins 14, Redskins 7
Super Bowl VIII
Dolphins 24, Vikings 7
Super Bowl XVII
Dolphins 17, Redskins 27
Super Bowl XIX
Dolphins 16, 49ers 38
Hank Stram
Hank Stram
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl I
Chiefs 10, Packers 35
Super Bowl IV
Chiefs 23, Vikings 7
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XXX
Cowboys 27, Steelers 17
Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl XLIII
Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
Super Bowl XLV
Packers 31, Steelers 25
Dick Vermeil
Dick Vermeil
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl XV
Eagles 10, Raiders 27
Super Bowl XXXIV
Rams 23, Titans 16
Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh
Record: 3-0
Super Bowl XVI
49ers 26, Bengals 21
Super Bowl XIX
49ers 38, Dolphins 16
Super Bowl XXIII
49ers 20, Bengals 16
Ready for some football?
We survived a week without football (and if you watched the Pro Bowl, you know it doesn't count), so it's time to start the countdown to Super Bowl XLVI. Are you on the edge of your seat?
Are we overdue for a rout?
The past few years have offered a rare run of close Super Bowls, with most up for grabs in the fourth quarter. Are we due for a rout?
Do you have a rooting interest?
The Giants and Patriots are two of the higher-profiles franchises in the league, but if neither is your team, have you adopted one for this week?
What are the best games in Super Bowl history?
We know the Patriots and Giants will have a difficult time topping the last championship game they played when the two teams take the field in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, but is this a rematch of the best Super Bowl ever? Submit your rankings for 15 of the best games on record.
Best Super Bowls
III
III
Jets 16, Colts 7
X
X
Steelers 21, Cowboys 17
XIII
XIII
Steelers 35, Cowboys 31
XIV
XIV
Steelers 31, Rams 19
XXIII
XXIII
49ers 20, Bengals 16
XXV
XXV
Giants 20, Bills 19
XXXI
XXXI
Packers 35, Patriots 21
XXXII
XXXII
Broncos 31, Packers 24
XXXIV
XXXIV
Rams 23, Titans 16
XXXVI
XXXVI
Patriots 20, Rams 17
XXXVIII
XXXVIII
Patriots 32, Panthers 29
XLII
XLII
Giants 17, Patriots 14
XLIII
XLIII
Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
XLIV
XLIV
Saints 31, Colts 17
XLV
XLV
Packers 31, Steelers 25
Immovable defense or irresistible offense?
We'll get to the specific teams momentarily, but which brand of football do you trust in January?
Vote: Five questions for Saints at 49ers
Will the Saints struggle outdoors?
Speaking of irresistible offenses, the Saints had a 120.5 passer rating indoors and a 96.4 rating outdoors. They also ran for 148.4 yards per game indoors but just 107.2 outdoors.
Which team is truly special?
The 49ers produced both NFC kicking representatives for the Pro Bowl, Andy Lee and David Akers, but would you trade their work for the returns of Darren Sproles?
Can you hear me now?
Sean Payton says it's hogwash, but some reports suggest the Saints coach blitzed the 49ers in the preseason because he felt Jim Harbaugh stiffed him on a phone call.
Not-so-secret weapon for Patriots?
Josh McDaniels wasn't a hit as coach of the Broncos, but will his return to the Patriots be key?
Vote: Five questions for Broncos at Patriots
Is the pressure all on Tom Brady?
The "other" quarterback in this game, Tom Brady has lost three straight playoff games. Even for a future Hall of Famer, would losing this one lead to whispers?
Who is SportsNation's quarterback?
There isn't a question as to who the more accomplished quarterback is in Saturday's game, but does Brady trail Tebow in popularity?
Does familiarity help or hurt underdog?
The final score didn't work out so well for the Broncos when the teams met earlier this season, but should parts of that game encourage them?
Last team standing?
SportsNation is picking the Patriots (65%), Ravens (75%), Packers (67%) and Saints (66%) to advance to the conference finals.
How would you rank the remaining NFL playoff teams?
The Broncos showed their resiliency with a hard-fought, overtime win against the Steelers behind Tim Tebow's season-high 316 passing yards. Meanwhile, the Texans won their first playoff game in franchise history riding on the shoulders of wide receiver Andre Johnson and rookie quarterback T.J. Yates.
Over in the NFC, the Saints put up 45 points on the Lions as Drew Brees threw for 466 yards, placing him second only to Bernie Kosar for most passing yards in a playoff game. The Giants dominated the Falcons through the air and on the ground while Big Blue's defense held Atlanta's offense scoreless.
With the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds back in action, which team do you think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl?
Cast your vote now! You must submit at least FIVE for your votes to count!
NFL divisional playoff teams
49ers
49ers
Regular season: 13-3
Broncos
Broncos
Regular season: 8-8
Wild-card: defeated Pittsburgh 29-23 OT
Giants
Giants
Regular season: 9-7
Wild-card: defeated Altlanta 24-2
Packers
Packers
Regular season: 15-1
Patriots
Patriots
Regular season: 13-3
Ravens
Ravens
Regular season: 12-4
Saints
Saints
Regular season: 13-3
Wild-card: defeated Detroit 45-28
Texans
Texans
Regular season: 9-6
Wild-card: defeated Bengals 31-10
Record awareness?
Drew Brees beat Dan Marino's record of 5,084 passing yards in a single season, but be honest: How many people knew the exact amount of that record?
Best stat?
Brees' quality as a quarterback is undeniable, but it's interesting to contrast his high completion percentage with his relatively high interception rate.
Best of the elite?
Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers also have a shot to break Marino's record, although Brady (187 yards to go) will have a much easier time of it than will Rodgers (441 yards to go).
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