Olympian Jeff Demps chooses to sign with Patriots


ESPNBoston.com
Olympic silver medalist Jeff Demps has agreed to terms with the Patriots, a league source confirms.

The 5-foot-7, 191-pound running back is an undrafted free agent from Florida. He played in 12 games last season, making five starts. On 98 carries, he had 569 yards and six touchdowns.

Demps did not take part in February's NFL Combine and did not have a spring workout for April's NFL Draft, instead training as a sprinter for the United States in the recent Olympics.

Once Demps officially arrives in New England, his biggest impact could be on the Patriots' return game. Demps could provide a spark in that area, where coach Bill Belichick said on Thursday the team is looking for better production.

I went over why this would be a big pick up for the Patriots yesterday in both of these posts yesterday.

Tampa Bay favorites to land Jeff Demps | Should the Patriots sign Olympian Jeff Demps?

This is kind of a big deal. Granted, he was an undrafted free agent. He went undrafted because he told teams he wanted to focus on track. Turns out to be a pretty good move on his part. He won the Silver Medal at the Olympics for the 400-meter relay and then decided to join the NFL. He now got to go to the team of his choosing, and earn a bit more money in the process as a mini-bidding war ensued.

The Jets, Bucs and Eagles were all said to be interested. Perhaps Demps saw the best opportunity for him here in New England, as the team is in desperate need of someone who can help their return game. The Urban Meyer-Bill Belichick connection might also play a factor, as Demps played running back at Florida.

It was rumored that the Jets were trying to get Tim Tebow to recruit Demps to New York.





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