Griff Whalen Excited For Opportunity With Patriots, Hasn’t Gotten Grief For Fake Punt

FOXBORO, Mass. — Griff Whalen had the misfortune of being a part of one of the most ill-conceived plays in recent NFL history: the fiasco of a fake punt the Indianapolis Colts attempted during a lost to the New England Patriots last season.

The play remains fresh in the minds of Patriots fans, but Whalen said he hasn’t heard any trash talk from his new teammates since signing with New England on Friday.

“I haven’t,” the wide receiver said after Saturday’s practice, his second in a Patriots uniform. “I kind of was (expecting it), but we’ll see.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i7VKQwDS2s

The Patriots brought in Whalen to shore up their receiving corps after Danny Amendola went down with an ankle injury that likely will sideline him until the playoffs. Whalen had been a free agent since the San Diego Chargers released him Nov. 22.

“I was excited to come into a good team that I’ve gone against a few times,” Whalen said. “I was excited for another opportunity to come in and hopefully help out the team however I can.”

Whalen said he’s “not sure” how the Patriots plan to utilize him but noted he’s “very comfortable” returning punts — a need for New England in the wake of Amendola’s injury.

“I’ve been (returning punts) since I was a kid,” Whalen said.

Whalen played in eight games for the Chargers this season, catching just two passes. Before that, he spent three seasons with the Colts, catching 45 balls for 487 yards with three touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound wideout also has returned 46 punts in his career, averaging 8.2 yards per return.

Whalen could make his Patriots debut Monday night when the New England hosts the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium.

Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images