Dolphins Talking With Jermichael Finley

Oct 20, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins will soon be sending a card to the NFL Commissioner.  A few weeks later than normal but a card nonetheless.  This season the question is, once again, will the Dolphins draft themselves a top blue chip tight end?  The Dolphins have plenty of “prospects” who have displayed hints of being able to hold down a role on the team.  With Charles Clay making a big leap last season many believe the Dolphins don’t need to draft a top TE this year.

Whether or not you believe that the teams TE squad is adequate it hasn’t stopped many from speculating.  Now word is coming out that the Dolphins have held talks with free agent TE Jermichael Finley, formerly of the Green Bay Packers.  Finley is well known by HC Joe Philbin who he coached in Green Bay.  The Dolphins, if they are indeed are talking to Finley, are not 100% sold on their cache of “up and coming potential” tight ends.

There is, as always, problems with Finley.  Despite the fact that he will get paid nicely for past accomplishments, there is a huge element of injury risk.  Finley is coming off a season that very well could have or still could end his career.  Last season Finley who has had concussions in the past suffered both a concussion and a bruised spinal cord during a game against the Cleveland Browns.  Finley would have surgery to fuse parts of the vertebrae.  His doctor says there is a 99.9% chance for the fusion to take and heal.  The question is when does it become a smart move?

The Dolphins are only having talks and there is still a ways to go before the two sides actually go further.  More MRI’s are slated on Finley’s neck and there are other tests that will need to be done as well.  He will also need to pass a physical.  If the Dolphins do indeed look at Finley as a viable option, it could be as a fallback should the draft not play out the way they want, or maybe they are convinced Finley is more than a stop gap at the position.

If Finley can return from his injury he could be a very big target for Ryan Tannehill, as Dustin Keller was supposed to be last season.  At some point, the Dolphins are going to have to find their long term answer.  Dion Sims, Michael Egnew, and Charles Clay are the Dolphins current TE’s.

For more on the NFL draft please take a look at a new Facebook page designed and managed by fans regarding the Miami Dolphins draft.  You can find that here.