Former Colts Wide Receiver Griff Whalen Signs with Patriots
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the New England Patriots are signing free agent wide receiver Griff Whalen to fill-in for injured wideout Danny Amendola:
The #Patriots are signing FA WR Griff Whalen, source said. They think he can fill Danny Amendola’s role until the playoffs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2016
Not only does Whalen now comprise part of a long list of former Indianapolis Colts wide receivers to have joined the Patriots organization including Anthony Gonzalez, Austin Collie, and Reggie Wayne (gulp), but he also has had a history against the Horseshoe’s arch-nemesis prior.
Yes, we’re talking about the worst play in special teams history here:
The Colts tried a unique formation on 4th down.
— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2015
It didn't work. #NEvsIND http://t.co/Eh0HXpFV00
Last season, Whalen was the infamous ‘center’ on one of the most botched special teams trick plays of all-time during the Patriots 34-27 win in Week 6 of last season, when he inexplicably snapped the football to safety turned ‘quarterback’ Colt Anderson–who was immediately tackled by two (shocked) New England defenders.
Of course, it overshadows the fact that Whalen has actually carved out a nice NFL career as a backup wide receiver and special teams returnman since entering the league out of Stanford as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
In fact, he actually caught a touchdown against the Patriots in that very same ‘special teams gaffe’ game that no one seems to remember.
Whalen most recently played with the San Diego Chargers this season, but has also spent time with of course the Colts, as well as the Miami Dolphins organization.
The 5th-year wide receiver has 47 receptions for 509 receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions in 41 career games (3 starts)–nearly all of which came with the Colts, as he had just 2 receptions for 22 receiving yards while with the Chargers.
The 26 year old wide receiver will join quarterback Tom Brady on a 10-2 Patriots team that is primed for another deep playoff run–at least until potentially Amendola returns.