I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been following the ongoing negotiations between Wes Welker and the Patriots over Welker's contract and I have heard every reason possible as to why the deal is not done. Some say they wonder if Welker is worth it. Others believe that Wlker can be replaced. There are even some who believe that the Patriots are being smart. No. None of this is the case. The Patriots are being smart and they are dealing with Welker the exact same way that other members of the NFL's top flight organizations- the Packers, Steelers, and Giants, deal with similar situations.

There is an overlying factor here that has nothing to do with money, production, or value. Rather this factor is a number.

The number "3".

The number "3" is the same reason why the Jerry Reese is playing hardball with Osi Umenyiora. Ted Thompson said no to Scott Wells for this very same reason as well.

Mick Jagger states it perfectly when he says "Time waits for no one". Every football coach in the world would like to be the head coach of Father Time because Father Time is perfect. Father Time is undefeated. Father Time has never lost. Some have tried to beat Father Time, such as "he who won't be mentioned ever again on this site", but, at the end of the day, they all have fallen victim to Father Time.

What does Wes Welker, Osi Umenyiora, and Scott Wells have to do with this? Well, everyone one of them entering this offseason had the number "3" as the first number in their age. The quality organizations are very hesitant to give contracts of four years or more to non-quarterbacks with the number "3" as the first number in their age, Why? Because you don't know when Father Time is going to come knocking and it's better to let a player go too early rather than too late. Father Time doesn't care about production and he doesn't give a heads up before he comes knocking.