The deadline for the Patriots and franchise player Wes Welker to get a longer-term deal done is next Monday at 4 p.m., and after a time when it looked like a longshot something might get done, now things are starting to look up. While the two sides have been in different places as far as guaranteed money, it is believed that the main hurdle is a third year and how to structure it. The Patriots have been reluctant to go to a three-year deal with the 31-year old receiver, who in five seasons with New England has recorded 554 catches, just three shy of the franchise record set by Troy Brown over 15 years. Via a league source, it is expected that the two sides will be working hard this week toward getting a deal done.