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Just as one team bows out of the running for Jermichael Finley, another has popped in.
According to ESPN's Adam Caplan, Finley met with Patriots brass Friday.
The most recent wave of Finley activity comes in the wake of the medical clearance the tight end received from his doctor last Thursday. No team has cleared Finley as of yet, but that too could happen in the near future.
The Patriots' interest in Finley makes a lot of sense. In the past 12 months, New England lost their top two tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, to a torn ACL and an ever-worsening list of murder charges. While Gronkowski appears on track for a healthy return at some point this season, the Patriots could use a player like Finley to play alongside him.
The most critical factor of the visit -- whether Finley received a physical from the Patriots' medical staff -- is unknown at this point. If/when such news surfaces, it'll be clear that New England is a serious suitor for his services.