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Jermichael Finley

NFC North Notes: Packers, Finley, Lions

July 16th, 2014 at 5:23pm CST by Zachary Links

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com runs down the Packers‘ situation at wide receiver. Sederrick Cunningham and longtime mainstay James Jones are gone and Green Bay will be turning to rookies Davante Adams (second-round pick), Jared Abbrederis (fifth-round pick), and Jeff Janis (seventh-round pick) to support Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin et al. More from the NFC North..

  • Agent Blake Baratz says client Jermichael Finley is facing a choice between a $10MM no-tax disability policy or returning to football, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says that’s not entirely accurate. The former Packers tight end has gotten multiple offers from the Steelers but claims that the deal isn’t lucrative enough for him.
  • The Lions signed running back George Winn earlier today and cut guard D.J. Morrell, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Morrell, a UDFA out of Old Dominion, was praised in scouting reports for his size and work ethic.
  • ESPN.com’s Michael Wright says that the Bears‘ addition of longtime Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson should add some much-needed competition at the position during training camp. Wilson is in his mid-30s and coming off a major injury, but he also isn’t far removed from his most recent Pro Bowl season (2011), so it’s reasonable to think the former third-round pick could contribute if he’s healthy.

Tight End Notes: Finley, Keller, Davis, Jags

July 15th, 2014 at 11:42am CST by Luke Adams

The league’s most productive tight end became the league’s highest-paid tight end earlier today, with Jimmy Graham agreeing to terms on a four-year deal with the Saints. Although we’re still waiting on all the specifics, the contract reportedly has an average annual value of $10MM, which would be the highest per-year amount ever for the position.

While Graham’s contract saga appears to be over, there are a handful of other players looking to sign or restructure contracts of their own. Let’s round up the latest on a few tight ends around the NFL….

  • Tom Pelissero of USA Today reported last night that Jermichael Finley would undergo a series of medical tests this week and would send those results to all 32 NFL teams in hopes of generating interest. Today, Pelissero passes along a series of quotes from the former Packer explaining why he wants to continue his playing career rather than trying to collect a $10MM insurance policy and retiring.
  • Finley’s explanation: “It’s a pride issue now. I’ve got a lot of pride. I’ve been playing this game for free for 20 years when I was a kid, so it ain’t about the money. It ain’t about how much I can get and how much my agent can get and whatnot. It’s all about the love of the game. We all know the money’s going to come and it’s going to go. I just want to go out there and be able to showcase these skills that I’ve been working on for months now, since I got hurt in October.”
  • Dustin Keller, who is coming off a serious knee injury, is still making progress in his recovery, according to Pelissero (via Twitter). Keller hopes to play this season, but isn’t in a rush to sign with a team.
  • It’s safe to assume that Graham’s new annual value of $10MM becomes a target for Vernon Davis as he attempts to negotiate a new deal with the 49ers, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. In my opinion, it’s probably also safe to assume the Niners won’t pay him that much. Davis is currently in line for base salaries of just $4.7MM in 2014 and $4.35MM in 2015, though his cap hit is more sizable due to bonus money.
  • A pair of tight ends who are eligible for extensions weighed in via Twitter on Graham’s new contract, with Jordan Cameron of the Browns and Julius Thomas of the Broncos passing along their congratulations. Presumably, both players will also have Graham’s deal in mind when they negotiate their own extensions.
  • Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union examines the tight end situation for the Jaguars, who will need to figure out their third player at the position behind Marcedes Lewis and Clay Harbor.

Monday Roundup: Finley, Young, Big Ben

July 14th, 2014 at 10:58pm CST by Rory Parks

Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley, who has been medically cleared to play by his own doctor, said he will undergo another series of medical tests on Wednesday and will send the results of those tests to all 32 clubs in an effort to convince them that he is fully healthy, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Finley has stated that he would like to return to the Packers, and that he certainly wants to continue playing rather than collect the $10MM insurance policy he would receive if he retired from the game.

However, he has also demonstrated that he will be patient as he waits for the right deal. The Steelers‘ team neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Maroon, performed Finley’s vertebrae fusion in November and declared him fit to play a few months later. Pittsburgh subsequently made several contract offers, according to Finley, but none of those offers were financially appealing enough for him. Pelissero believes that Finley ultimately will re-sign with Green Bay (Twitter link).

Now for some links from around the league to wind up this Monday evening:

  • In an increasingly sad and troubling narrative, former Lions receiver Titus Young was arrested in Los Angeles on July 9 for battery with serious bodily injury–a felony–and associated charges, writes David Leon Moore of The Detroit Free Press. The arrest took place one day before Young was to appear for a pre-trial conference in Newport Beach, California, where he faces 11 charges, four of which are felonies.
  • Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News writes that, on the heels of his strong finish to the 2013 campaign, Cowboys linebacker Kyle Wilber should find himself in a starting role and could be on the verge of a breakout season.
  • In a video clip, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News looks at a few under-the-radar players on the Cowboys roster to keep an eye on, including undrafted finds Ben Malena and L’Damian Washington.
  • Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes that the Seahawks‘ backup quarterback competition is wide open, and Terrelle Pryor and Tarvaris Jackson will each get an extended opportunity to prove themselves in the preseason. However, both players could end up making the club, as Seattle carried three quarterbacks on its roster for a few weeks last season.
  • Time is running out for the Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to reach an agreement on a contract extension, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Roethlisberger has two years left on his current deal, but Florio believes he is underpaid by current standards. However, no progress has been reported on a possible extension–though that does not mean that progress has not been made–and the Steelers do not negotiate new contracts once the regular season begins.
  • Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has limited leverage in trying to force a trade, as Adam Schefter, Louis Riddick, and Mark Brunell of ESPN explain (video link).
  • Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, tweets Gil Brandt of NFL.com. Scherff, a 280-pound quarterback in high school, has blossomed into a strong 6’4″, 320-pound force with Ndamukong Suh-type strength.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Poll: Will Finley Return To The Packers?

July 9th, 2014 at 8:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Tight end Jermichael Finley has been medically cleared by his personal doctor and says that he wants to resume his career in Green Bay. However, he still has some convincing to do with the Packers’ team doctor.

Finley, 27, registered 223 receptions for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns in 70 career games for the Packers, but the club is understandably cautious about bringing Finley back given his spinal issues. Still, if Finley can prove himself to be healthy, he could be a tremendous asset for Green Bay. The Packers will have Andrew Quarless, Richard Rodgers, Brandon Bostick, and Ryan Taylor to work with, but it’d be hard for any of those players to replicate some of Finley’s best seasons. Even Packers tight ends coach Jerry Fontenot readily admits that there isn’t a surefire star out of the bunch.

“I think we are pretty wide open at this point,” Fontenot said, writes Rob Reischel of the Journal Sentinel. “I think guys have shown some progress, and those guys warrant a much bigger look. And I think once we get to training camp, we’ll have an idea of a rotation, at least, and giving guys reps just to make sure they’re ready to start the season.”

According to Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com, Finley has visited the Patriots and Giants, and the Steelers, Raiders, and Dolphins have been linked to him as well. Ultimately, do you see Finley making his NFL return with the only team he’s ever known?

Jermichael Finley Hopes To Return To Packers

July 9th, 2014 at 4:46pm CST by Luke Adams

According to multiple reports, tight end Jermichael Finley has been medically cleared by his personal doctor, but has yet to be cleared by the Packers’ team doctor, who is more cautious when it comes to spinal injuries. Still, Finley is working out, feels good, and would very much like to return to Green Bay, according to Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com. “Tell everybody I’m working as hard as I can to get back to Packer Nation,” Finley said today to Wilde.

Finley, 27, has accumulated 223 receptions for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns in 70 career contests for the Packers. However, as a free agent, he has drawn plenty of interest from other clubs. According to Wilde, Finley has visited the Patriots and Giants, and a handful of other teams have been linked to the tight end as well, including the Steelers, Raiders, and Dolphins.

Agent Blake Baratz confirmed in May that his client could file for the collection of a $10MM insurance policy if he opts not continue his playing career. However, Finley seems positive about his workouts and his health, and at this point, it would be a surprise if he didn’t sign another NFL contract at some point.

Earlier today, Rob Reischel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examined the Packers’ group of tight ends, which includes Andrew Quarless, Richard Rodgers, Brandon Bostick, and Ryan Taylor. While the team appears ready to enter training camp without Finley, tight ends coach Jerry Fontenot acknowledged that the position is perhaps the most unsettled on the roster, so it sounds as if he’d be open to bringing back Finley, assuming he’s given the medical green light.

Dolphins Notes: Pouncey, Moreno, Finley

June 23rd, 2014 at 4:40pm CST by Luke Adams

The Dolphins’ offensive line, which underwent a massive overhaul following last year’s bullying scandal and general poor performance, took another hit today, and are now expected to open the 2014 season with five new starters along the line. Here’s the latest on that story, as well as a few more Dolphins-related notes:

  • Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey underwent hip surgery today and is expected to be sidelined for about three months, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. As Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports clarifies (via Twitter), the procedure was a labrum repair, and figures to keep Pouncey out for the early part of the regular season. The standout center had also been a candidate to sign a contract extension this summer, but perhaps now the two sides will wait for him to get healthy — there’s no real rush, since the Dolphins exercised their 2015 team option on Pouncey earlier this spring.
  • Pouncey isn’t the only Dolphin to undergo a surgical procedure this week. Schefter also reports within the same story that running back Knowshon Moreno, who signed with the club in March, will have arthroscopic surgery performed on his knee and will miss four or five weeks.
  • Third-round offensive lineman Billy Turner is one of just five draftees who has yet to sign his rookie contract, but the unresolved issues aren’t significant, and the signing should become official by mid-July, says Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
  • Within Jackson’s piece, the Herald scribe also notes that the Dolphins were among the teams to inquire on Jermichael Finley, though it sounds like the club hasn’t seriously pursued the free agent tight end.
  • Former LSU defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, who will head to training camp with the Dolphins, has switched agencies from ProSource Sports to Rosenhaus Sports, tweets Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal.

NFC North Links: Finley, Packers, Vikes, Lions

June 23rd, 2014 at 10:45am CST by Luke Adams

It’s been nearly a month since tight end Jermichael Finley received medical clearance from his personal doctor, Joseph Maroon, who performed Finley’s spinal surgery and also acts as the team doctor for the Steelers. However, just because Finley was cleared by Dr. Maroon, it doesn’t mean that every NFL team is comfortable with the free agent’s health. As Gil Brandt of NFL.com notes (via Twitter), Finley still hasn’t been cleared by Packers doctors, so until that happens, a new deal for the tight end in Green Bay is unlikely.

Here’s more from around the NFC North:

  • Don Barclay turned into a full-time starter on the Packers‘ offensive line last season, but it appears he could head into his contract year in 2014 as a reserve, as Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette details. According to head coach Mike McCarthy, Barclay has “earned the opportunity to compete for a starting position, though the West Virginia alum won’t be upset if he starts the season as the club’s sixth man on the line. Barclay will be eligible for restricted free agency at season’s end.
  • Cordarrelle Patterson, seventh-rounder Jabari Price, and the Vikings‘ secondary are topics of discussion in a Monday mailbag from Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune.
  • In his latest series of pieces, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press will focus on five jobs on the Lions‘ roster that figure to be up for grabs in training camp this summer. The series got underway today with a look at kicker, where seventh-round pick Nate Freese is going up against lefty Giorgio Tavecchio.

NFC North Notes: Suh, Vikings, Packers

June 13th, 2014 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

So far today, the Lions have officially signed first-round pick Eric Ebron to his rookie contract, and the Vikings have brought aboard former Browns wideout Josh Cooper. A few more Friday updates out of the NFC North have trickled in over the course of the day, so let’s round up the latest on the Lions, Vikings, and one of their division rivals….

  • A restructure of Ndamukong Suh‘s contract is a good bet to happen at some point this summer, but a trade remains unlikely. A source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that no discussions or negotiations about a potential deal involving the Lions star have occurred.
  • While Harrison Smith will be one of the Vikings‘ starting safeties this fall, the team continues to audition players for the other starting job, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. According to Goessling, Kurt Coleman, Robert Blanton, Brandan Bishop, and rookie Antone Exum have all received plenty of looks during OTAs.
  • Packers head coach Mike McCarthy continues to insist that the club hasn’t closed the door on the possibility of bringing back free agents Jermichael Finley, Ryan Pickett, and Johnny Jolly. “I would love to work with all three of those guys again,” McCarthy said during an appearance on the Bill Michaels Show on SportsRadio 1250 (hat tip to Pro Football Talk). We’ve heard for months that the Packers have been monitoring those free agents, with health an ongoing concern for Finley and Jolly.

AFC Mailbags: Jags, Colts, Steelers, Ravens

June 7th, 2014 at 9:40pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers open up their mailbags and answer questions from readers. Here are some interesting notes out of the AFC…

Poll: Where Will Jermichael Finley Sign?

June 6th, 2014 at 3:15pm CST by Luke Adams

It may be a stretch to dub this June the month of the tight end, but the position will be at the center of a number of major stories over the next few weeks. Vernon Davis is skipping the 49ers’ OTAs in hopes of landing a new contract; Jimmy Graham‘s franchise tag position is a point of contention that will be decided by an arbitrator after a hearing later this month; and Jermichael Finley is the best free agent still on the market, in the estimation of PFR readers.

With June 1 behind us, free agents are no longer tied to future compensatory draft picks, and Finley has now been medically cleared by his personal doctor. That doesn’t mean that he’ll be subsequently cleared by every NFL team doctor, but he appears to be on the road to recovery after undergoing spinal fusion surgery last year, and there are few roadblocks left for him to ink a new deal.

Of course, just because he’s getting healthy, that doesn’t mean Finley is a lock to return to the field. While we do expect the tight end to sign somewhere, agent Blake Baratz confirmed last week that his client could file for the collection of a $10MM insurance policy if he opts not continue his playing career. If the offers Finley receives are modest one- or two-year proposals, that insurance policy could start to look awfully appealing, particularly since it would come with no further health risks.

Still, Finley has been a productive pass-catcher when he’s been healthy, accumulating 223 receptions for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns in 70 career contests. At age 27, he still should have plenty left in the tank, and a good season in the right situation could increase his value and help him land a bigger contract next year — perhaps one that would ensure his career earnings eventually exceed that $10MM insurance policy.

Assuming he does return, Finley seems to have a handful of possible landing spots. Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report reported earlier this week that “a good half-dozen teams” were quietly pursuing the former Packer, and while the Seahawks are reportedly out of the running, several clubs are still believed to have interest. The Steelers and Raiders were the latest potential suitors added to a list that already included the Patriots and Packers. And while they haven’t necessarily been connected to Finley recently (or at all), I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Giants or Falcons entering the mix, since both teams could use a pass-catching tight end.

What do you think? Where will Finley eventually land?

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