The Facts: ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss recently suggested that veteran wide receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd aren't "locks" to be back with the New England Patriots for another season. The Boston Globe's Greg Bedard seconds that notion.

Diehards Line:Really? While you'll find no shortage of observers willing to contend the Pats can ill afford to let Welker move on and that Lloyd could emerge as a bigger weapon next season, both Reiss and Bedard have laid out solid cases supporting their opinion. As NFL.com's Chris Wesseling notes, applying the franchise tag to Welker for a second consecutive season would cost the Patriots $11.4 million, roughly $2 million more than he was paid last season. Owner Robert Kraft has hinted that both sides would reach an "intelligent" long-term agreement as long as Welker's agents don't "mess it up." The decision on Lloyd should be easier. Due a $3 million option bonus on top of a $1.9 million base salary, Bedard believes Lloyd is a candidate for release after proving to be "not quite the right guy" to threaten defenses down the left sideline as the "X" receiver. ... Remember that speculation runs rampant this time of year. Nothing is etched in stone. And that means we'll be following along closely in coming weeks.