Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

[Deus Irae]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps

Ian Rapaport just tweeted:

Twitter / RapSheet: Breaking: Olympic sprinter ...

I hope it's true that he signs with the Patriots. I'd love the signing for both return and change of pace RB reasons.

On the other hand, I can think of 5-7 players on the current roster who'll be less than thrilled.

 

[patfanken]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

IF it turns out to be true, then the best part of this signing will be that Tebow and the Jets actively recruited him and failed. So already Demps has shown he is wise beyond his years to avoid that circus.

On the football side, its always exciting to have a player who has that kind of rare explosive speed. Bottom line, it can't hurt.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

love this signing... special teams beast and also good with the screen pass

 

[Calciumee]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Could be a very good signing! If they want to keep Bolden, could he be made into a FB?

 

[JDot]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Reiss.

As reported by Fox 13 in Tampa, Jeff Demps has agreement to join Patriots, source confirms. Visited team yesterday. Contract not yet signed.

Twitter / MikeReiss: As reported by Fox 13 in Tampa, ...

One reason Jeff Demps might have leaned toward Pats over others: Team showed interest in him pre-Olympics. Been on him for a while.

Twitter / MikeReiss: One reason Jeff Demps might ...

 

[bunuel]

Re: Erik Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

This is one of Demps' agents so who knows.

@NohemyBaltodano
Jeff Demps has not signed with an nfl team as of yet. Those reports are untrue!

 

[Banjo]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

awesome. he is now the fastest person on the team. hey demps... GO DEEP!

 

[Ian]

Re: Erik Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Sounds like semantics at this point, but it sounds like a done deal. Kevin O'Donnell from Fox 13 in Florida reports he's agreed to terms and is coming to New England:

Twitter / ODonnellFox13: I repeat Jeff Demps has not ...

I repeat Jeff Demps has not signed with the Patriots, but has agreed to. Take it to the bank he's a Pat, confirmed and first to report!!!

 

[LoganMankinsPancakeBlocks]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

We might want to take it slow here....



https://twitter.com/GregABedard/statuses/236496650472935424

It's actually not Bedard but him retweeting a Gators follower who has since back tracked and talked about how he thinks he was being fed a technicality. His agent has said "he has not signed with an NFL team", but nobody is reporting he has (misleading title). What's being reported is that he's agreed to a deal with the Patriots and WILL sign. Agents and players always use that technicality to deny reports when a deal leaks out early.

I'd say it's just a formality at this point with several different reporters reporting it's happening through their own sources, to go with the fact I thought it was VERY odd he was flying to Boston yesterday when his agent mentioned his signing was imminent, within the next 24 hours.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Erik Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Players potentially affected:

Kettani
Bolden
Branch
Stallworth
Edelman
Woodhead
Ebner
Cole *

Did I miss anyone?


* Hat tip: Nabwong

 

[BigMac]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Could be a very good signing! If they want to keep Bolden, could he be made into a FB?

People talked about Green-Ellis that way early in his career. I don't see the point. If you want a fullback to block, use Larsen. If you want an athletic fullback who can catch passes, use Hernandez. If you want to hand the ball off to the fullback, why not just use a singleback and put Ridley/Vereen back there?

Also, I think Faulk and Demps could complement each other better as the 3/4 backs than Woodhead and Bolden. With Faulk and Demps, you have a good pass blocker and a good speed back and return man, neither of which you have with Woodhead/Bolden (I don't think Woodhead is a great blocker or a great returner). And we already have good enough ball carriers and pass catchers in our top two (if Vereen can blossom as a good receiving option).

 

[Tunescribe]

Re: Erik Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

So funny how BB was coy with the press yesterday when asked about Demps and track guys in general making the leap to the NFL. He pretty much poo-pooed the idea.

Assuming he signs, more than anything I love how this will kill the Green Beans fans. I hope Demps runs one back all the way on Jersey this year. :rocker:

 

[patsinthesnow]

Re: Erik Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Yess!!!!!

This just makes me giddy for the fact the pats have never had a lightning fast player.

Do we have the fastest player in the NFL? He's faster than Wallace, Chris Johnson, etc.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Re: Erik Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

You can certainly reach an agreement and not have yet physically SIGNED that agreement, so both sides of the story may be true

 

[Brettlax3434]

Pat's Add Olympic Silver Medalist

Patriots signed KR/RB Jeff Demps.
Demps earned an Olympic silver medal in London as part of USA's 4x100 relay team. Before that, he was an electric return man and hybrid player for the University of Florida, piling up 2,470 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns during his four-year career. But at 5'7/190, his role with the Patriots is expected to be limited to special teams. Demps averaged 28.8 yards per kickoff return as a Gator. The Bucs and Jets were also interested.

Via Rotoworld.com

I like it. Our kickoff return game has left somthing to be desired. Perhaps he could provide a good spark.

 

[Ian]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Another update from Kevin O'Donnell from Fox 13 in Florida:

Reports of Jeff Demps signing contract with Patriots are wrong. What's true is that he has agrees to sign with Pats. Fact!

Twitter / ODonnellFox13: Reports of Jeff Demps signing ...

 

[JackBauer]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

I think the best thing about this is it's just another disappointment for Jets fans.

 

[Brettlax3434]

Re: Pat's Add Olympic Silver Medalist

didn't see the other thread. Take it down. Sorry.

 

[Rob0729]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Sprinter Demps picks Patriots over Jets: report

So he picks the Pats over the Jets. At least we know that we don't have to worry about his intelligence.

 

[nabwong]

Re: Erik Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Players potentially affected:

Kettani
Bolden
Branch
Stallworth
Edelman
Woodhead
Ebner

Did I miss anyone?

I think Ebner will make it. Cole might not. And Allen. Ebner can replace 2 of them and much more upside.