Report: Dolphins have had conversations with Jermichael Finley

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Tight end Jermichael Finley is having another X-ray and MRI on his injured neck in the next two weeks as part of the process that he hopes will end with medical clearance to return to the NFL.

He’ll be looking for a team to sign with if he should get that clearance and the Dolphins could find themselves in the mix. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the team has had conversations with Finley’s agent about possible interest in his client this offseason.

Finley played for Dolphins coach Joe Philbin when Philbin was the offensive coordinator in Green Bay, which led to mentions of the Dolphins as a free agent suitor for Finley before he was lost for the season in 2013. Charles Clay, Dion Sims and Michael Egnew handled the position for the Dolphins last year in the wake of Dustin Keller’s knee injury.

Finley visited with the Seahawks earlier this offseason, but the lack of medical clearance kept him from signing in Seattle and will keep Finley on the market a while longer.

28 responses to “Report: Dolphins have had conversations with Jermichael Finley

  1. Philbin loves big targets in the slot and it was obvious last season they intended to feature Keller and Clay there often. Not sure Finley is much of an upgrade over Keller and they’re both coming off of big injuries, but maybe he’s worth a 1-year contract.

  2. I’ve watched every game of Finley’s pro career. He’s a talented guy that hasn’t (and won’t) ever fully reach his potential. That said, when he’s healthy he’s a big target that creates mismatches. Has a bad case of the drops at times but in Miami he would be an upgrade.

    My concern however is more of an attitude problem. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s an intentional headache, but I do see him as a bit immature. On a winning team like Green Bay (or Seattle where he has previously worked out) it doesn’t make too many headlines because there is strong leadership and a relatively small media market. In somewhere like Miami which, right or wrong has the perception of some as being a bit of a rudderless ship at the moment, local and national media will jump at the slightest sign of dysfunction.

    All that said, hope J makes fully healthy recovery. Neck injuries are an absolutely tragic hazard to this great game.

  3. I don’t think hell ever be medically cleared. He needs to hang it up and think of his family.

  4. Would be a nice one-two punch there, clay is emerging as one of the top te’s in the league and Finley would be a nice compliment.

  5. Doesn’t hurt to have a fallback if things don’t shake your way in the draft. Conversation doesn’t mean offer. Finley wouldn’t be bad if all else fails.

  6. Finley could be great but is too risky with this type of injury. Got to go elsewhere to solve T.E. posistion.

  7. How about Peyton Manning…. Drew Brees…. Damaged goods, huh?

    alshonbrandontandem says:
    Apr 13, 2014 6:23 PM

    Damaged goods; will never see the field again.

  8. Miami will need another TE but I don’t see Finley as the man. Our TEs now as a unit is serviceable so any other TE should be a swing for the fence; hit or miss.

  9. If the newspaper reports are accurate, Finley has a $10 million insurance policy if he never plays again. But if he signs and gets hurt again, the policy goes away.

    Point being, he is not going to sign a small contract. And he’s not worth the risk of a big contract. If I were in his shoes, I take the policy and figure out something else to do with my life.

  10. Don’t they already have Clay and Matthews both of which are cheaper and don’t have serious injuries? Finley is good don’t get me wrong but nobody even knows if he can even play again after what he went through. I hate giving hints to rival teams but here’s an idea build up your freaking offensive line! There’s more than enough weapons for Tannehill to work with but if he gets hit all the time he can’t use them. Dolphins are getting closer to the Patriots out of all the teams in the AFC East but without an O line all that potential is for nothing. Dolphins would be wise to pass on Finley.

  11. Clays definatly our starter over either finley keller or daniels, but when you have cap room like us then its smart to stock up on depth in high risk positions.

  12. Finley is damaged goods, like Dustin Keller. We need to get that big guard from the Eagles for $5 million and give them the 4th round pick they want. We need linemen not broken down Tight Ends!

  13. If I were running The Dolphins, I’d hold off on Finley. Yeah, Finley and Clay would be a very nice duo on paper, but with the injury histories, i dont think that franchise is in any position to take chances. I think like a poster above me said, if Ebron is available, i dont see how you can pass him up. I am a Ravens fan, and Hope to jeebus they draft Ebron, but with daniels there it aint happening. Either way, i really like the moves the dolphins have made and really look forward to some of these AFC East teams competing with New England finally.

  14. When healthy, Finley is among the elite tight ends in the league. I’ve seen him play every down of his career. Of course, he had Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball. On a team with less talented wide outs, Finley would dominate. I doubt he would stay healthy. But the Dolphins would be fools, if he’s medically cleared, to not give him at least a one-year deal with an option for the second.

  15. If Keller is recovered he gets another 1 year deal. Those of you saying Ebron…. LOL! You do realize the Bills, Giants, Steelers and Jets all draft before us right? Phins are fine with Sims and Clay, not great but we need draft help on Oline, LB, S, and RB much more

  16. Dolphins fans really need to stop this nonsense about drafting a skill player in first round. We need to go OL, OL, OL OR MLB.

  17. I wish someone would have conversations with a new owner and a new head coach! Any coach who stands and watches his team CHOKE away two games against teams NOT GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS when one win would have put them into the playoffs, should HAVE BEEN FIRED! EXPLAIN WHY PHILBIN’S STILL THERE!

    Oh, wait. The answer is the MORON OWNER, STEPHEN LOSS!

    SELL THE TEAM, LOSS! FIRE JOE PHILBIN!

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