Jermichael Finley visits Patriots; team also interested in Dustin Keller
Earlier today, ESPN Boston Patriots writer Mike Reiss speculated that the Patriots were in the mix for free agent tight end Jermichael Finley, but could not confirm anything substantial admid reports he had recently visited a "mystery team."
Reiss also noted the team could be eyeing Dustin Keller, who has played in the past for AFC East Rivals New York and Miami. It is now being reported within the last few hours that the mystery team Finley visited was in fact the Patriots after he gained full medical clearance last week following a bruised spinal cord in Week 7 of last season. The visit reportedly happen this past Friday and there is no word on how it went.
There had been significant rumors connecting Finley to Super Bowl Champs Seattle throughout the off-season, but as of this week they are reportedly no longer interested in the 6'5", 250 lb. tight end.
The Patriots are clearly interested in adding a veteran free agent at the tight end position. It is a clear area of need given Rob Gronkowski's injury issues and the lack of depth on the roster currently. Many were surprised when the position was not addressed through the draft, but it appears the team is more interested in dipping into the free agent pool as a solution.
Dustin Keller was brought in back in late April for a visit, but no deal materialized. Keller, like Finley, has demonstrated talent when healthy but is coming off a major injury. Keller tore his ACL, MCL, PCL, and also dislocated his knee in a pre-season game last March.
Both Finley and Keller have been in the league since 2008. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the two:
Who would you rather see in a Pats uniform? Let us know in the poll below, or on Twitter: @PatriotsLife and @LiamPCunningham
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| Brian Kersey/Getty Images |
Reiss also noted the team could be eyeing Dustin Keller, who has played in the past for AFC East Rivals New York and Miami. It is now being reported within the last few hours that the mystery team Finley visited was in fact the Patriots after he gained full medical clearance last week following a bruised spinal cord in Week 7 of last season. The visit reportedly happen this past Friday and there is no word on how it went.
There had been significant rumors connecting Finley to Super Bowl Champs Seattle throughout the off-season, but as of this week they are reportedly no longer interested in the 6'5", 250 lb. tight end.
The Patriots are clearly interested in adding a veteran free agent at the tight end position. It is a clear area of need given Rob Gronkowski's injury issues and the lack of depth on the roster currently. Many were surprised when the position was not addressed through the draft, but it appears the team is more interested in dipping into the free agent pool as a solution.
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| Jim Rogash/Getty Images |
Dustin Keller was brought in back in late April for a visit, but no deal materialized. Keller, like Finley, has demonstrated talent when healthy but is coming off a major injury. Keller tore his ACL, MCL, PCL, and also dislocated his knee in a pre-season game last March.
Both Finley and Keller have been in the league since 2008. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the two:
Finley | Keller | |
College | Texas | Purdue |
Drafted | 3rd Round, 91st overall | 1st round, 30th overall |
Height and Weight | 6’5”, 247 lbs. | 6’2”,250 lbs. |
Games Played | 70 | 72 |
Receptions | 223 | 241 |
Yards | 2,783 | 2,876 |
Touchdowns | 20 | 17 |
Who would you rather see in a Pats uniform? Let us know in the poll below, or on Twitter: @PatriotsLife and @LiamPCunningham
