Steelers reportedly interested in free agent TE Jermichael Finley

[RuthlessBurgher]

Our team neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon is the doctor who performed the neck fusion surgery on Finley, so he would know better than anyone else on the planet how his rehab is progressing. Coming off such a scary injury, no team is going to sign him to a long-term deal, so he is going to have to settle for a one year "prove it" type deal (perhaps at the vet minimum level).

If they Pack decide to go in a different direction (they parted ways with Pro Bowler Nick Collins after neck fusion surgery), then Finley would likely aim for a team with a solid QB after befitting from Rodgers up to this point. We have that QB here, and we also have his doctor here, and circumstances dictate that he would be in our price range for 2014 at least.

He may not be the best blocker, but if we wanted to double tight in short yardage and goal line, then use Miller and Spaeth instead. In the passing game, Miller and Finley wouldn't be Gronk and Hernandez, but it would be far and away better than any pair of TE weapons that I can think of in Black and Gold at the same time.

Imagine if we signed Finley and then somehow Mike Evans fell to us at #15 as well (mighty unlikely, sure, but so was DeCastro falling to us once upon a time). Brown and Evans split out wide with Miller inline and Finley operating from the slot position and Bell as a single back...that's some dangerous weaponry right there. At that point, you could use the rest of your draft on defense (other than maybe a midround OL for depth). Sweet.

[hawaiiansteel]

NFL Free Agency 2014: Jermichael Finely 'months away' from receiving medical clearance

By Neal Coolong on Mar 23 2014



The Steelers were more than likely just doing their due diligence on the injured receiving tight end, and they'll continue to do so until he's medically cleared to continue his career.

There was a tidbit two weeks ago that serves now as sort of the unofficial Steelers launch into free agency speculation. Somehow or other, the Steelers were linked to free agent tight end Jermichael Finey, something that tantalizes the offense-based senses of many fans.

Recent reports indicate Finley is still "months away" from full recovery from a bruised spinal cord that cost Finely most of his 2013 season. His market may pick up at that time, but certainly no team will hold its breath waiting for him.

A lot can change between now and the midway point of training camp, though. The Steelers lost tight end Matt Spaeth around the middle of camp last year, and a large part of the reason the team signed him was because both Heath Miller and David Johnson were coming off significant injuries from the prior year.

The Steelers signed Michael Palmer to a 1-year deal earlier in the week, but he shouldn't be viewed as adequate insurance on either Miller or Spaeth.

The same could be said about Finley, who, when healthy, looks more like the higher-priced player those with a fortune in cap space can sign for the sake of playing in certain situations despite a three-down price tag. The Steelers definitely are not one of those teams, nor are they likely to use a receiver-first-second-and-third tight end.

Never say never, but the initial report never felt all that legitimate anyway - the Steelers' interest, if there was any, was most likely just their due diligence.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-steelers-free-agency/2014/3/23/5538770/nfl-free-agency-2014-jermichael-finely-rumors-steelers-updates[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jermichael Finely 'months away' from receiving medical clearance

That's fine. We'll get some more cap room after June 1, so perhaps we sign him in a few months when our team neurosurgeon clears him.

[hawaiiansteel]

Jermichael Finley draws interest of Raiders, Steelers

By Chris Wesseling
Around the League Writer

Although the Seattle Seahawks have dropped out of the chase for Jermichael Finley, several teams are lining up to take their place.

The New England Patriots hosted Finley for a visit last Friday. The Packers still envision the tight end playing in Green Bay if his surgically repaired neck checks out.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports the Oakland Raiders have also shown interest in Finley.

Rapoport adds that the free agent has visited the Steelers' facility and has been cleared by their team doctor, who also doubles as Finley's doctor.

Finley has never lacked for suitors. The question is whether any doctor besides his own will clear him to play and whether any forthcoming offers will override a $10 million insurance policy that will kick in if Finley never plays football again.

[URL]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...iders-steelers[/URL]

[gabr1el]

I'd like to see him wearing black and gold. He's not in a position to ask for a lot of money, we have plenty of cap space available.
I know we drafted a TE in the 7th, but you guys now 7th round is a lottery, Blanchflower may not be on the 53-man roster.
It would be the best pass-catching TE duo we would see in years, we should give it a try.

[sick beats]

Actually, this guy has carried the "potential" label too long for my satisfaction. He always had great potential: He is huge, fast, monster hands, etc. But he is kind of the opposite of a "grinder" which is what this team prefers. He is more of a Prima donna, and that was before he suffered this serious injury. I don't know how much heart he will have after this kind of injury. For league minimum, I'd be OK with taking a chance, but nothing more. But if he does return to any where near his potential, can you imagine a D having to worry about Brown, Bell, Miller, Finley, Blount, Archer and Wheaton? That would be fun stuff.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

2 year, $5million with a $2million SB... If we cut him next year, he's only $1million salary hit... that oughta do it

[8467thekraken]

Not sure what is out there in terms of FA Tight Ends.

I would only offer him a one year deal, and not a whole lot of $, either. We need depth here, but I don't know if this is the guy for Pittsburgh.

Again, I have no idea who is out there besides him who is worth mentioning, though, so...

[pfelix73]

I just don't see this guy ever playing football again. That $10 million dollar insurance policy looks pretty good. He never plays again- cha ching....Let's see.... play a year for a few mil, OR don't play and get $10 mil??? tough decision.

[phillyesq]

I'm guessing that the interest here stems from the fact that he's apparently been seeing the Steelers doctor.

Finley and Miller paired together could create interesting matchup problems, but I doubt this happens.

[sick beats]

In for a visit, any how.

Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

The Pittsburgh Steelers have met with free-agent TE Jermichael Finley (neck), and their team doctor cleared Finley to participate in football activities. The team's doctor performed the neck surgery on Finley.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

The match with the Steelers would be an interesting one. Finley is going to have to be cleared by teams medically as he tries to come back from the neck injury that knocked him out last year. He's a talented move tight end, but any deal he signs is likely to be a year long with a low base salary and a few incentives.

[hawaiiansteel]

Jermichael Finley says Steelers have shown him contract offers

by Neal Coolong
July 15, 2014

Previous reports suggesting confusion over actual interest between the Steelers and free agent tight end Jermichael Finey exists may have been slightly accurate.

According to USA Today's Tom Pelissero, Finley, who underwent spinal fusion surgery after suffering a season-ending injury last season, has received more than just interest from the Steelers.

"Pittsburgh have showed me a couple deals, but we all know the money ain't what it's supposed to be," Finley told Pelissero. "If I quit the game right now, I can take tax-free money, and that's a difficult thing that I'm going through with myself …"

He has a $10 million insurance policy that he can cash in if he misses the first four games of this season. That would suggest he'd be taking a loss if he accepts any kind of contract for less than $10 million guaranteed. It's highly unlikely, medical clearance or not, he'll get many of those kinds of offers, but it still will make sense for him to wait and see how the market develops through training camp.

Finely's surgeon, Dr. Joseph Maroon, is also on the Steelers' medical staff, and his clearance has been sent to all 32 NFL teams. The Steelers were quietly linked with Finley at the beginning of free agency, but like other teams, it hasn't gone past the point of speculation.

Finley's comment to Pelissero though is specific enough to think perhaps an offer was left on the table for Finley, who would be something of an odd fit given the Steelers' current tight end and wide receiver position depth charts. Finley is an incredible athlete but not a player with reliable hands. He also doesn't block particularly well - a trait commonly required of Steelers' tight ends.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com...rs-rumors-2014[/URL]

[squidkid]

the guy only cares about the money.....pass

[papillon]

the guy only cares about the money.....pass

This for sure, pass, pass and don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, Jermichael.

Pappy

[Sugar]

Just because money is a major consideration doesn't mean it's all he cares about. Missing some games for $10 mil v playing for a fraction of that isn't an easy call.