Jermichael Finley's Friday mystery visit remains a mystery, with multiple teams drawing buzz as candidates for his services in 2014. The ex-Green Bay Packers tight end has received clearance to play in the NFL after a spinal injury ended his 2013 season.
The Packers, New York Giants and New England Patriots are among speculated landing spots for the 27-year-old free agent, while Pro Football Talk has just reported that the Seahawks are not in pursuit.
@ThomasEmerick I know @ProFootballTalk speculated #Patriots for clandestine nature of visit. I bet he's right.
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) June 1, 2014The Giants also seem a sensible destination given Finley's past with new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who had served as both tight ends and quarterbacks coach in Green Bay.
“If Ben (McAdoo) came calling, I guess I’d go running,” Finley said weeks ago, via Giants 101. "He’s a great coach and I would love to rekindle that relationship and get it back on. He’s like a father figure to me since I came into the league.”
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barring medical, would be surprised if it doesn't happen "@jacbrad2744 @giantswfan Hey Paul, will the Giants sign Jermichael Finley
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) May 29, 2014The Packers' selection of Cal tight end Richard Rodgers in the 2014 NFL draft makes a return for Finley less likely than before, while New York general manager Jerry Reese neglected tight end until adding undrafted USC prospect Xavier Grimble.
"We want a competent tight end. We think we have a couple of young tight ends that have been here for a couple of years that we want to develop and we'll continue to look as we move forward," Reese said prior to the draft, likely in reference to massive youngsters in 2012 fourth-rounder Adrien Robinson and undrafted 25-year-old Larry Donnell. Veterans Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells are also on roster.
North Carolina's Eric Ebron, who sat light-years ahead of the 2014 tight end class on many boards, went No. 10 to the Lions before the Giants took receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. at No. 12. The sense is that the Giants weren't crazy about this group of tight end prospects, though even if that wasn't the case it would be atypical for Big Blue to trade up in round one, with the Manning trade as the anomaly.
Tight end Brandon Myers signed with New York in the 2013 offseason but had the final three years of his deal voided after a disappointing campaign. Finley, who had been held back by drops in years past, dramatically improved his drop rate to finish middle of the pack last season in the Pro Football Focus metric.
Manning could use another safety blanket. Now suitors will assess whether Finley's health will allow him to utilize his unique combination of size, speed and athleticism.
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