Jermichael Finley Visited Patriots
Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley paid a visit to New England to meet with the Patriots, reports ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Agent Blake Baratz told Pro Football Talk last week that his client a Friday visit scheduled but declined to identify the team. It appears the Pats were that club, as PFT speculated at the time.
Finley, 27, met with the Seahawks early in the free agent period, but Seattle is reportedly no longer in the mix for the former Packer. While the Pats and ‘Hawks are the only two teams to host Finley so far, the veteran tight end, who was voted by PFR readers as the best free agent still on the market in May, should garner some interest, particularly now that he has been medically cleared by his personal doctor and is no longer linked to future compensatory draft picks.
Although his 2013 campaign was cut short by his spinal injury, Finley was one of Aaron Rodgers‘ top weapons in Green Bay in previous years, averaging 58 receptions, 717 receiving yards, and five touchdowns per season in 2011 and 2012.
AFC Notes: Vilma, Gronkowski, Manziel, Bills
Joe Philbin and Dennis Allen are among several coaches who have a lot riding on the 2014 season, writes Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. While the “hot seat” label may be premature, the Dolphins would surely like to see improvement both off-the-field (in the wake of the Jonathan Martin scandal) and on it, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill potentially taking another step forward. The Raiders, meanwhile, used their ample cap space to infuse their roster with veterans, and the team’s leadership obviously hopes Allen can improve upon 2013’s 4-12 record.
More from around the AFC:
- Free agent linebacker Jonathan Vilma reached out to the Dolphins, but Miami was not interested in adding the veteran, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Vilma played only 12 snaps in 2013 following a knee injury.
- Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is reportedly “progressing well” following his January surgery to repair his torn ACL and MCL, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Herald.
- Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan worked with Robert Griffin III in Washington, and he believes RG3 and new Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel have some common traits, per Jim Corbett of USA Today. “Johnny and Robert are very similar,” said Shanahan. “They’re both talented guys who can make plays with their legs. But there comes a time in the NFL when they’re going to keep you in the pocket, and you’re going to have to have that ability to make the throws with your arm and mind. And Johnny, just like Robert, has that arm talent and intelligence to do that.”
- While Jerry Hughes won’t have a problem finding a role in new Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s scheme, fellow pass-rusher Manny Lawson might, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Lawson spent most of last season close to the line of scrimmage as a stand-up linebacker, and that position simply doesn’t exist in Schwartz’s defense.
- Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb is happy with the development of 2013 first-round safety Matt Elam, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. “From last year to this year, I see a big jump with his leadership, with him controlling the back end and just being that safety controlling the calls,” said Webb. “I just really like where I see him going.”
- The Broncos’ defensive line is heavy on both depth and competition, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, and improved line play will be essential if Denver hopes to create opportunities for edge rushers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.
AFC East Notes: Jets’ QBs, Pats’ TEs, Woods
As our Zach Links wrote several days ago, Jets‘ offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has tilted the team’s quarterback competition in favor of second-year man Geno Smith, but Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com wonders if that is a good idea. Cimini writes that there are benefits and drawbacks to both Smith and Michael Vick, so a truly open competition would eliminate any confusion and would also create a “best-man-wins scenario.”
Let’s take a quick look around the rest of the AFC East:
- In the same piece, Cimini writes that although Jets‘ right guard Willie Colon is expected to be fully healthy by training camp, his injury has revealed the glaring lack of experienced depth along the team’s offensive line, which Cimini believes should be addressed with a veteran acquisition or two.
- Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes that, since we have reached that magical June 1 date, the Patriots are in a good position to add quality depth to their tight end group by signing a player like Dustin Keller or Jermichael Finley.
- In a separate piece, Reiss empties out his notebook from the Patriots‘ first week of OTAs.
- The Bills primarily utilized the unique route-running ability of departed wide receiver Stevie Johnson out of the slot last season, and head coach Doug Marrone believes Robert Woods can excel in that role, writes Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News.
- Much like Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly, new Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor utilizes a system that focuses on tempo, and James Walker of ESPN.com examines the budding relationship between Lazor and third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Lazor’s expectations for his young signal-caller.
- In a separate piece, Walker wonders if Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace is ready to break out in 2014.
AFC Notes: Raiders, Revis, Amendola
The Raiders announced the signings of fourth-round picks Justin Ellis and Keith McGill, the sixth and seventh members of the team’s eight-man draft class to ink rookie contracts. Ellis is a 6-2, 334-pound nose tackle out of Louisiana Tech who profiles as a run stuffer, though he will have to improve his conditioning. McGill is a rare-sized, highly athletic, overaged, unrefined cornerback (6-3, 211) out of Utah whom the Raiders hope can develop into a coverman in the mold of the big, physical, rangy secondary defenders thriving and trendsetting in Seattle.
Here’s a handful more AFC news and notes:
- Patriots big-ticket acquisition Darrelle Revis spoke with the local media for the first time, saying, “I’m on my career and my journey, and right now, I’m a New England Patriot. And that’s that.” Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post took notice of Revis’ word choice: “The words “right now” were telling, because logic — and the salary cap — dictates the $20 million team option for 2015 in Revis’ deal means this will be the All-Pro cornerback’s lone season in a Patriots uniform.”
- One of Revis’ new teammates, receiver Danny Amendola, managed just 54 receptions for 633 yards (11.7 YPC) and two touchdowns in his first season in New England after signing a five-year $28.5MM ($10MM guaranteed) deal. He was affected by a groin injury that kept him out of four games and hampered him in others, but Amendola — who opted against off-season surgery — tells the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe that he’s 100 percent.
- Despite making a run at Alex Mack, the Jaguars believe in third-year center Mike Brewster, who has 10 career starts under his belt, said ESPN’s Michael DiRocco in a chat: “They went after Mack because he is by far the best center in the game and they felt they could take a shot. But notice they didn’t go after any other centers in free agency and only drafted one in the sixth round [Luke Bowanko]. That means they felt confident Brewster could do the job and they didn’t view it as a need position.”
- ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky wonders if the Titans are better off with a veteran (Charlie Whitehurst) or a young, developmental (Zach Mettenberger) quarterback behind starter Jake Locker.
AFC East Notes: Vick, Garoppolo, Bills
Michael Vick has done his best to quell any talk of an open quarterback competition between himself and incumbent Geno Smith and earlier today, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg followed suit, writes ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. “It may not be quite like the competition we had last year, where everything was 50-50,” said Mornhinweg, alluding to the open competition between Smith and Mark Sanchez. “Mike has all that experienced banked. We’re trying to continue the progress with Geno and then have Mike ready to go. It’s just that simple, and Mike knows exactly what expectations and roles he has.” More from around the NFL..
- Expecting to see Patriots rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under center sometime soon? Owner Robert Kraft isn’t. Earlier tonight, Kraft told NFL Network (via Ian Rapoport on Twitter) that Garoppolo is “disaster insurance” and hopes that he won’t play for a “long time.”
- Sanchez won’t badmouth the Jets, but he’s no longer a beaten man now that he’s with the Eagles, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. The much-maligned QB seems relieved to have the “buttfumble” and his time in New York in the rearview mirror.
- Now that the Clippers have sold for $2 billion (yes, with a B), that raises the stakes for NFL teams, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio wonders aloud if a prospective owner could be dreaming of putting a team in Los Angeles and paying a fortune for the Bills to make it happen. By the way, for the latest on the Clippers’ pending sale, you can head on over to our sister site, HoopsRumors.com.
Jermichael Finley Receives Medical Clearance
11:59am: Finley has a visit with a team lined up for Friday, Baratz also told PFT, though he declined to identify the club. Mike Florio speculates that it may be the Patriots, and also notes that even though Finley has been cleared by Dr. Maroon, he’ll still need to receive clearance from the doctors for any team that wants to sign him.
11:45am: Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley has received full medical clearance from Dr. Joseph Maroon, agent Blake Baratz tells Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Maroon was the doctor who performed spinal fusion surgery on Finley following injuries to his back and neck last season.
Finley, 27, met with the Seahawks early in the free agent period, but failed a physical with the team, and was believed to be a few months away from receiving clearance and signing anywhere. Now that he has been cleared, Finley, who was voted by PFR readers as the best free agent still on the market last weekend, should draw renewed interest, particularly if he’s no longer linked to future compensatory draft picks after June 1.
The Packers have talked about wanting to bring back Finley, and the Seahawks, who hosted the veteran tight end for an early visit, may still have interest. Other clubs that could use a pass-catching tight end and have at least a little financial flexibility include the Falcons, Bills, Giants, and Chiefs. It’s also never safe to rule out the Patriots as a potential suitor for any tight end.
Although his 2013 campaign was marred by injuries, Finley was one of Aaron Rodgers‘ top weapons in Green Bay in previous years, averaging 58 receptions, 717 receiving yards, and five touchdowns per season in 2011 and 2012.
Extra Points: Incognito, FAs, Finley, Patriots
In the wake of last year’s bullying scandal, Richie Incognito has predictably had trouble finding NFL work. As Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report writes, the offensive lineman’s reps have been contacting teams over the last few weeks and months, but there has been virtually no interest. Said one general manager: “He’s trying to get back in the game, but the door remains shut. No one trusts him.”
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- A pair of veteran free agents, offensive tackle Eric Winston and cornerback Drayton Florence, are expected to make visits next week to unidentified clubs with interest, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports. As Marvez notes, interest in unsigned veterans should pick up around the league next week, when June 1 passes and free agents are no longer linked to compensatory draft picks.
- A source tells Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com that Jermichael Finley‘s meeting with the Packers is a “formality.” The free agent tight end had previous plans to travel to Green Bay with his family, so he’ll check in with team doctors, but no medical clearance, contract signing, or even testing is anticipated, according to Demovsky’s source.
- The Patriots and the representatives for Aaron Hernandez have a June hearing scheduled to go before an arbitrator as the team attempts to recoup the former tight end’s signing bonus money, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network.
- General manager Jim Popp of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes confirmed today to Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports that former Bengals star Chad Johnson has received his work permit to play in Canada and is “at camp as we speak.”
- Following up on Chris Johnson‘s Twitter plea for the Jets to acquire Andre Johnson, Brian Costello of the New York Post takes a look at a few reasons why trading for the Texans wideout could make sense for the Jets, as well as several reasons why it may not work.
AFC East Notes: Pouncey, Easley, Bills
So far today, we’ve passed along word that Bills CEO Russ Brandon says Buffalo’s uncertain ownership situation isn’t affecting the team’s football decisions, and made note of a few minor signings made by the Patriots and Dolphins. Here’s more out of the AFC East:
- Unlike Richie Incognito and John Jerry, who were named in the Ted Wells bullying report along with him, center Mike Pouncey is getting a second chance with the Dolphins. Whether that’s because of his contract situation, his talent, his lesser role in the scandal, or a combination of all three, Pouncey hopes to make the most of the opportunity and prove that he can be a franchise cornerstone, as James Walker of ESPN.com details. “I would hope that anybody else wouldn’t doubt that,” Pouncey said of his leadership. “The work ethic I put in, the way these guys on this football team look at me, they all know I’m the leader they want me to be. So my main focus is to be the best leader I can be.”
- First-round defensive tackle Dominique Easley and the Patriots were closing in on a contract last week, but talks have hit a snag, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Although most draftees come to terms pretty quickly, discussions are a little more extensive for first-round picks, who have to negotiate offset language and guaranteed money. Easley is also coming off an ACL tear, which may complicate talks.
- Billionaire developer Donald Trump is maintaining his interest in making a bid for the Bills, suggesting today that he expects to be involved in the sale process. “We are going to put in a bid,” Trump said, according to Jerry Zremski of the Buffalo News. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in Buffalo. If the price isn’t the right price, then I won’t get it, and I won’t be ashamed of it … But if I get it, I think I’ll probably do a good job.”
Minor Moves: 49ers, Jags, Dolphins, Pats
We’ll round up several of Tuesday’s minor moves in this post, including a handful of signings and cuts, plus one draftee inking his new rookie contract. Following Memorial Day weekend, here are a handful of today’s transactions:
- The 49ers made a series of roster moves today, signing former Stanford linebacker Chase Thomas and USC tight end Kevin Greene. To clear room on the roster for the new additions, the club waived-injured offensive tackle Luke Marquardt and waived linebacker Morgan Breslin with a non-football injury designation.
- Fifth-round linebacker Telvin Smith signed his rookie contract with the Jaguars today, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. As our tracker shows, the Florida State product becomes the fifth of nine Jacksonville draftees to sign.
- The Dolphins have added three players to their 90-man roster, signing offensive linemen Samuel Longo and Michael Philipp and defensive tackle Micajah Reynolds, the team announced today (via Twitter). None of the three players have any regular-season NFL experience, though the two linemen spent a little time with the Browns and Reynolds was previously on the Saints’ roster.
- A pair of rookie free agents, Troy State’s Wilson Van Hooser and East Carolina’s Reese Wiggins, have signed deals with the Patriots, the club announced in a press release. The two receivers occupy the final spots on New England’s roster, which is now full at 90 players.
- Former UTEP linebacker Horace Miller, who tried out for the Seahawks at their rookie minicamp last week, is practicing today with the team, which presumably makes him the final addition to the 90-man roster, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).
AFC Notes: Titans, Ravens, Browns, Revis
Let’s take a Memorial Day look around the AFC:
- There a number of Titans who may see their starting jobs, and even roster spots in general, in jeopardy come training camp, writes Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Shonn Greene, Michael Oher, and Jake Locker are among the notable names who may not see as much action as expected for the Titans in 2014.
- The Ravens selected quarterback Keith Wenning in this month’s draft to compete with Tyrod Taylor to be the backup to Joe Flacco, writes Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore,com. However, Brown writes that he is unsure if the Ravens will devote three roster spots to the position, meaning the two might not only be battling for a backup job, but a spot on the roster.
- Ravens defensive lineman Brandon Williams is determined to come back in 2014 with more success after a toe injury kept him out of nine games as a rookie, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Williams, a third-round pick in 2013, has dedicated himself to being in better shape this season. “I’ve had a good offseason, I’ve been working out doing cardio and a bunch of other stuff,” Williams said. “I’m lighter and leaner. I’ve gotten a little stronger.”
- Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer speculates that neither Brian Hoyer nor Johnny Manziel will win the Browns‘ quarterback job until later this summer. Reed thinks that while Hoyer is perhaps the favorite to start to open the 2014 season, if Manziel performs like he did at Texas A&M during the preseason, it will put significant pressure on the Browns’ organization to start the former Heisman Trophy winner.
- Darrelle Revis will have a positive impact on the Patriots‘ offense this upcoming season, writes Brent Sobleski of USA Today. Tom Brady told Peter King of The Monday Morning Quarterback that he’s already tired of throwing against Revis in practice everyday. The former first-round pick out of Pittsburgh has been described by former teammate Jim Leonard as “the best practice player” he’s ever seen. Sobleski thinks that having such a worthy practice adversary will only serve to improve Brady’s game.
David Kipke contributed to this post.