Could New England Patriots sign Jermichael Finley?
Jermichael Finley met with the Patriots last Friday, according to ESPNs Adam Caplan. Rumors of the visit began when Finley’s agent Blake Baratz said Finley would be visiting a “mystery team.” He might as well have stated that mystery team was the Patriots considering their history of anonymity and need for a tight end. Now, it’s confirmed.
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The Patriots have visited with Owen Daniels and Dustin Keller this offseason. Daniels signed with the Ravens. Keller is still a free agent. Given the Patriots odd proclivity to sign and draft players recovering from seriously injuries this offseason, Finley (neck) and Keller (knee) are likely both still on the table.
Finley’s neck injury occurred on Oct. 20 against the Browns. He has since played no football and had his c-3 and c-3 vertebrae fused, which in layman’s terms means his career could very well be over. It remains to be seen whether it will end Finley’s. His surgeon approved him to play, but he still needs to pass the tests of team doctors.
While many suspected that the Packers were the front runners in this race, the Patriots might be desperate enough for depth at tight end to sign Finley. Patriots reporter and ESPN Boston writer Field Yates thinks the Patriots should pass on him, but if healthy Finley could be a good fit for the Patriots. He was a talented and athletic target for Aaron Rodgers.
With much being made of Tom Brady’s age, Bill Belichick might make the move to bolster what looks like a deep core of pass catchers and prove everyone wrong about Brady’s deteriorating shoulder.