PEABODY -- Wes Welker spent part of his youth football clinic teaching young receivers how to run comeback routes.
Later, while speaking to the media, he ran one of his own, backtracking on comments he made earlier in the week to the Boston Herald.
Not long after signing his franchise tender, Welker told the Herald that negotiations for a long-term contract with the Patriots have "gotten worse" and that he was offered less than the two-year 16 million deal the team proposed last season.
"That was probably a bad choice of words saying they've 'gotten worse,' " said Welker as he took a break from his clinic at Bishop Fenwick High School.
"They've pretty much stayed the same. I'm franchised for the year. And I'm completely happy with that. I'm completely OK with it and I look forward to contributing to the team in 2012."
On Friday, the Boston Globe reported that the Patriots were not very happy with what Welker told the Herald. According to the Globe, the receiver's words "have only increased the chances that 2012 will be his final season with the team.
One day later, Welker did his best to clean up whatever mess it was his comments had made.
New England Patriots
"I'm not frustrated whatsoever," he said. "I know the words that came out maybe seemed that way, but I'm not frustrated at all. I'm making five times more than what I did last year so there's no frustration there."
Now that Welker has signed his franchise tender, he is under contract with the Patriots for one year and guaranteed to make 9.5 million. He said that he plans to report to Foxboro for organized team activities on Monday.
"I'm excited to be back, excited to be a Patriot," Welker said. "I'm excited to be on the field for OTAs and minicamps with my teammates. Looking forward to the 2012 season and us out there, getting better."
Welker also seemed to be looking forward to putting his back-and-forth with the Patriots behind him. The two sides have until July 15 to strike a long-term deal, but Welker did not say if there have been any recent discussions about a new contract.
While he would like the security of a long-term deal, he says he is content with his current status. He understands that he is being paid "handsomely" under the franchise tag. Plus, being under contract also means that is able to be on the field, practice with his teammates, and play the game he loves.
"It is what it is. I just enjoy playing ball," he said. "I enjoy being out there. I enjoy playing the game. That's never gonna change. I think you can get caught up in contract talks, and react silly sometimes. We get to play a game that we love. There's no need to get into everything else about it."