Brian Finneran

Has it really been 5 years since Brian Finneran was tearing up NFL Europe? Indeed it has and shame on is for waiting until 2004 to induct one of nicest guys we've ever ran into during our European travels. Brian is now fully established as a bona fide big play receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, and is a popular member of the community, not least for the array of off the field charities and cause he contributes to.

Brian's football legacy began at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California (see link) when he and twin brother Brad starred between 1991 and 1993. (Interestingly they just missed the arrival of a certain Carson Palmer in 1994 who teamed with future Claymore Jon Minardi to lead the Eagles to further success). The Finneran twins went on to play at Villanova between 1994 and 1997 where Brian ultimately began to outshine his brother. In his senior year he earned All-America honours from the Associated Press after catching 96 passes for 1,389 yards with 19 touchdowns. For his efforts, he was awarded the Walter Payton Award (given to the nation's top offensive player in Division I-AA - the runner up that year was Aaron Stecker). He finished his productive career with a school record 265 receptions for 3,872 yards with 34 touchdowns.

Brian however wasn't drafted and ended up signing as a free agent with the Seahawks in 1998. However he just failed to make the roster that year and spent the rest of the year out of football. Perhaps it was during his time in Seattle that he spoke to their starting QB Jon Kitna about career advice, as in 1999 Brian signed on to play in NFL Europe and went to Jon's former team the Barcelona Dragons.

Brian (#15) in the huddle with ex-Dragon Jon Kitna (#7) in 1998. The following year Brian would play in Barcelona.

Brian had an exceptional season in NFL Europe (see great moments below) and finished the year catching 54 passes for 844 yards and 8TD's and was named to the All-NFLE team. He seemed to save his best for the Claymores catching 13 passes and 3 TD's in the 2 games against Scotland. He added another TD in World Bowl 99, but Frankfurt's ability to hold him in check when star Lawrence Phillips got injured, was one of the keys to the game, and the Dragons fell at the final hurdle 38-24.

After finishing the NFLE season the Eagles decided to sign Brian as a free agent, and he impressed enough to make the opening day roster for rookie coach Andy Reid's club. Things seemed to going well in Week 1, with the Eagles racing to a 17-0 lead at home versus the Cardinals and Brian making his 1st catch for 10 yards. But with the lead cut to 24-22 in the closing minutes disaster struck. Brian couldn't handle a high throw from Doug Pederson that would have been a 1st down and certain victory. Instead the Cardinals intercepted the ball, marched downfield and kicked a FG with no time left to shock the home crowd 25-24. Although Brian caught another pass in Buffalo a couple of weeks later, the coaching staff lost confidence with him and he was waived a few weeks later.

Things never worked out in Philly for Brian

In 2001 however, Brian finally broke through with him making several big plays throughout the year. With the score tied 24-24 late in the 4th quarter versus the 49ers in October, he took a short pass from QB Chris Chandler and raced 47 yards for his 1st ever NFL TD. As well as sealing victory it earned Brian his 1st ever start the following week versus the Saints. In that game with the Falcons clinging to another late lead, Brian even played defense - helping to bat down a Hail Mary pass on the game's final play to seal another win. The following month in Green Bay he made a diving 12 yard TD catch that sealed a 23-20 upset win versus the Packers. With rookie phenom Michael Vick taking over the QB role in December, Brian immediately sparked up a partnership with him hauling in 52 and 50 yard bombs in the season's final 2 weeks to hint at the exciting future that Vick would bring to the club. He finished the year with 23 catches for 491 yards (an impressive 21.3 per catch average) and 3 TD's.

Brian established himself as a bona fide big play receiver in 2002

With Vick now the QB in 2002, Brian blossomed as a full time starter and helped lead to the Falcons to a surprising playoff run. He led all receivers with 56 catches for 838 yards and 6 TD's including the first 2 100 yard receiving games in his career (114 yards at Minnesota and 104 at Carolina in back to back weeks). Proving his versailiaity once again he also played a ley role in the tied game at Pittsburgh, when the blocked a winning 48 yard FG by Steelers kicker Todd Peterson in overtime. In the playoffs, Brian's Falcons became the 1st ever team to win in the postseason at Lambeau Field and he helped the cause with 4 grabs for 35 yards. He bettered that the following week in Philadelhia with 5 catches for 76 yards, but the Eagles prevailed 20-6.

The Falcons were unable to repeat their playoff trip in 2003 during an injury plagued campaign. As well as having Michael Vick on the sidelines for most of the year, Brian also missed 4 games. Without Vick the passing game suffered and Brian's numbers dropped to 26 catches for 368 yards and 2 TD's. However with a healthy Vick back in 2004 we fully expect Brian to put up his best numbers yet.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame Brian!

Brian always had time for the fans, even posing for a picture with these 2 young looking lads after losing in World Bowl 99