The New England Patriots just got a lot faster. A lot faster.
They are expected to sign London Olympics silver medalist sprinter Jeff Demps to a contract, according to multiple sources.
A team that already features a plethora of offensive weapons, the Patriots will be even more dangerous with the addition of Olympic silver medalist Jeff Demps.
Demps was expected to Orlando, Fla., Friday to meet with his representatives and go over the details of the agreement. Multiple sources say the Patriots he would like to begin his NFL career.
His agent, Daniel Rose, wouldn’t confirm the agreement, only to say Demps should make an announcement later Friday.
Several NFL teams, including the New York Jets, were interested in Demps, who was a running back at Florida.
He was not drafted in April while he was preparing for the Olympics. He was part of the 4×100-meter relay team that finished second to Jamaica.
The 5-foot-7, 191-pound Demps played in 12 games last season at Florida, rushing for 569 yards and six touchdowns.
Once Demps arrives in New England, his biggest impact could be on the Patriots’ return game. Demps could provide a spark in that area, where coach Bill Belichick said the team is looking for improvement.
“He had a little bit of production,” Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said. “How that translates over, the schemes are different. Any returner that comes into the NFL, whatever they did in college schematically is probably going to be a lot different than what we’re going to ask him to do.”
One thing is certain, with his speed, if he makes it through a crease, he will be hard to catch. And with the Patriots’ creativity on offense, do not be surprised if Demps makes his way on the field in “special” situations.
