Steelers made offer to TE Jermichael Finley

[Steelperch]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf ... /12657737/

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley says he will undergo another round of medical tests Wednesday and send the results to all 32 teams in hopes of landing on a roster before training camp.

But after a workout Monday afternoon, Finley told USA TODAY Sports he intends to keep being patient and wait for an offer that can compel him to return from spinal surgery, rather than walking away and moving to collect a $10 million insurance policy.

"As long as I wait, you know and I know, guys are going to go down and the money's going to shoot up," Finley said, sitting in the weight room at WelleFast Elite Sports Training. "It's all a waiting game right now."

Finley, 27, had his C-3 and C-4 vertebrae fused a month after suffering a spinal contusion Oct. 20 on a hit by Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson. He can file a claim to collect the insurance policy one year to the day after the injury if he hasn't played in four games.

The Green Bay Packers remain the most likely destination if Finley comes back, given that he knows the system and coaching staff after playing his first six NFL seasons there. He owns an expensive home in the area and his family continues to live there.

But Finley also has visited the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks and said he has received interest from other teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose team neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Maroon, performed Finley's surgery in November and cleared him in May.

"Pittsburgh have showed me a couple deals, but we all know the money ain't what it's supposed to be," said Finley, who has 223 career catches for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns. "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 …"

[Legacy User]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/07/14/jermichael-finley-free-agent-nfl-test-spinal-surgery/12657737/

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley says he will undergo another round of medical tests Wednesday and send the results to all 32 teams in hopes of landing on a roster before training camp.

But after a workout Monday afternoon, Finley told USA TODAY Sports he intends to keep being patient and wait for an offer that can compel him to return from spinal surgery, rather than walking away and moving to collect a $10 million insurance policy.

"As long as I wait, you know and I know, guys are going to go down and the money's going to shoot up," Finley said, sitting in the weight room at WelleFast Elite Sports Training. "It's all a waiting game right now."

Finley, 27, had his C-3 and C-4 vertebrae fused a month after suffering a spinal contusion Oct. 20 on a hit by Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson. He can file a claim to collect the insurance policy one year to the day after the injury if he hasn't played in four games.

The Green Bay Packers remain the most likely destination if Finley comes back, given that he knows the system and coaching staff after playing his first six NFL seasons there. He owns an expensive home in the area and his family continues to live there.

But Finley also has visited the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks and said he has received interest from other teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose team neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Maroon, performed Finley's surgery in November and cleared him in May.

"Pittsburgh have showed me a couple deals, but we all know the money ain't what it's supposed to be," said Finley, who has 223 career catches for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns. "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 …"

I blame the Pouncey contract. Stupid Steeler way.

[Kodiak]

Not sure what kind of deal he's looking for, but 12 games at vet min? All day, even if a 1-yr deal. Although you'd have to assume a deal like that and he'd want to be somewhere he's not the #2 TE.

[Steelperch]

Not sure what kind of deal he's looking for, but 12 games at vet min? All day, even if a 1-yr deal. Although you'd have to assume a deal like that and he'd want to be somewhere he's not the #2 TE.

It seems like he wants to be paid like a premier TE, or he wants to flunk the medical tests and collect on the $10 million insurance policy he bought on himself. If the money is equal he probably just lands back in GB.

[StillMadAtSlobber]

GB doesnt want him, they have a policy of playing it safe with players who had spinal issues. Its why he is looking at other teams.

[Kodiak]

It seems like he wants to be paid like a premier TE, or he wants to flunk the medical tests and collect on the $10 million insurance policy he bought on himself. If the money is equal he probably just lands back in GB.

I read it like he has the choice (somehow) to collect the $10M or not....so that means he'd need a much bigger contract than the risk [to the team] justifies for him to walk away from the $10M insurance.

[jeemie]

It seems like he wants to be paid like a premier TE, or he wants to flunk the medical tests and collect on the $10 million insurance policy he bought on himself. If the money is equal he probably just lands back in GB.

I read it like he has the choice (somehow) to collect the $10M or not....so that means he'd need a much bigger contract than the risk [to the team] justifies for him to walk away from the $10M insurance.

He better take the $10 M then.

No one is going to give him better money than that.

[jebrick]

I would be stunned if any team made him an offer. Let alone the Steelers who's doctor might be the only one to give him a clean bill of health because he did the surgery.

[Ice]

It seems like he wants to be paid like a premier TE, or he wants to flunk the medical tests and collect on the $10 million insurance policy he bought on himself. If the money is equal he probably just lands back in GB.

I read it like he has the choice (somehow) to collect the $10M or not....so that means he'd need a much bigger contract than the risk [to the team] justifies for him to walk away from the $10M insurance.

He better take the $10 M then.

No one is going to give him better money than that.

Pretty much.

[Legacy User]

It seems like he wants to be paid like a premier TE, or he wants to flunk the medical tests and collect on the $10 million insurance policy he bought on himself. If the money is equal he probably just lands back in GB.

I read it like he has the choice (somehow) to collect the $10M or not....so that means he'd need a much bigger contract than the risk [to the team] justifies for him to walk away from the $10M insurance.

He better take the $10 M then.

No one is going to give him better money than that.

indeed. Take the 10 million tax free or have the honor of blocking for the Steelers running game.

ummm, I'm taking the money too.

But this also shows that TE is a subtly perceived weakness by the team.

[Ice]

Also, given the way the draft played out after they offered him the contract, what they thought of this year's TE class.

[Legacy User]

The blog I read this at seemed to state he gets that 10 million if he misses the first four games of this season...then he is eligible to play again. Seems absurd but that what I read....

[Kodiak]

The blog I read this at seemed to state he gets that 10 million if he misses the first four games of this season...then he is eligible to play again. Seems absurd but that what I read....

That's what they're saying. It almost seems like it would have to be more of a tax shelter, because I can't imagine writing that policy (as it's being reported) for much less than $10M. Maybe he insured against a minimally acceptable contract but, again, he might skirt that by not receiving "formal" offers.

[StillerInCT]

GB doesnt want him, they have a policy of playing it safe with players who had spinal issues. Its why he is looking at other teams.

Lord knows we don't. We'll use a first round pick on a guy with spinal issues.

[Kodiak]

Steelers did a similar deal with Kendall Simmons....he chose the money over playing again

[Legacy User]

Finley is kinda douching it up here. Its obvious that no one is coming to the party based on the fact that he's crazy to think someone is going to give him Jimmy Graham ballpark money with his potential circus side show neck.

The best he could hope for is a one year deal laden with incentives that would put him at 2 to 3 million until his neck proves to be able to handle a full season. Fact is it was only the Steelers and the Raiders bidding exposing his true market value. Now he wants to make those teams suddenly start bidding versus an insurance policy, after publicly disparaging the offer the Steelers sorta put on the table. If he wants to play football have him make his new team another payee on the policy and sign a 3 year deal that pays him 9 million base with incentives to 12 and prorate his insurance payout based on how many years he actually plays.

From a position of strength you can say in 3 years you probably have 0 money if traditional stats hold (and you blow it all in 18 months and have to get more treatment etc and no real health insurance) or your can have 5 million after making 7 playing football and maybe winning a SB.

[BethlehemSteel]

Finley is damaged goods, his hands have always been terrible. He's not something the steelers should take a risk on. Period

[Legacy User]

As I understand it, he gets the insurance money if he hasn't played four games by Oct. 20, which would be one year from the date of his injury. If he misses the first four weeks of the season, it would be virtually impossible for him to have played in four games by Oct. 20, which is Week Seven.

I expect he'll sign with someone with a gentlemen's agreement he won't be active until after Week Four, or wait and sign on Sept. 29 or 30.

[Thrillsseeker]

I expect he's taking the ins policy.

All along.

[Kodiak]

I expect he's taking the ins policy.

All along.

All day long. $10M plus vet min for 12 games...he'd be hard-pressed to get that over two years (without the neck issue), much less guaranteed.

[Steelafan77]

Who ever signs Finley will have to out do the $10M tax free settlement he can receive. I don't believe there is any team desperate enough to hang themselves with a ridiculous contract for damaged goods.

If I'm Finley I take the money and run. Perhaps look into broadcasting or even coaching as most ex- Players do. In other words get out while you can still walk away. JMO

Edit:

@JermichaelF88
Let's Try This Again. #GreenBay https://twitter.com/JermichaelF88/statu ... 2468237313

[Legacy User]

He isn't getting that $10M

I thought Florio made a good point about how insurance companies don't just give away suitcases full of money. They'll tie it up in court and he'll eventually lose because he has job offers

[Legacy User]

He isn't getting that $10M

I thought Florio made a good point about how insurance companies don't just give away suitcases full of money. They'll tie it up in court and he'll eventually lose because he has job offers

Ooooooooh, ouch.

[Legacy User]

He isn't getting that $10M

I thought Florio made a good point about how insurance companies don't just give away suitcases full of money. They'll tie it up in court and he'll eventually lose because he has job offers

Which is my point about naming a team as an additional payee. Hes not going to be able to take that money AND play football.

[Steelafan77]

From the looks of things Finley wants to remain a GreenBay Packer anyways so there's that too.

[Steelafan77]

@jasonjwilde
According to an #NFL source, @JermichaelF88 is in Green Bay and has appointment with Dr. Pat McKenzie this afternoon to view MRIs and talk. https://twitter.com/jasonjwilde/status/ ... 0577427456

[steelmann58]

TO MUCH OF A RISK HERE JUST MOVE ON.
BESIDES I THINK WE GOING TO BE ADDING EITHER 99/OR 92 SOMETIME DURING CAMP