Jeff Demps: Signing Silver Medalist Will Boost Patriots' Special Teams

Less than one week after coming away with a silver medal in the 4x100 relay at London's Summer Olympics, former Florida Gators running back Jeff Demps has decided to sign with the defending AFC champion New England Patriots.

Fox 13's Kevin O'Donnell in Tampa Bay had the first report, which was later corroborated and sourced to one of Demps' agents by NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

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Breaking: Olympic sprinter Jeff Demps will sign a contract to play for the #Patriots, per 1 of his agents, Nohemy Baltodano. Wow!

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 17, 2012

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Demps reportedly chose the Patriots over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will make his official announcement after arriving in New England later today.

From Demps' perspective, choosing New England over the Bucs makes total sense.

The Patriots are Super Bowl contenders and have long been at the NFL's forefront of offensive innovation. If there is anyone that can properly harness Demps' talent, it's New England coach Bill Belichick and his coaching staff.

From the Patriots side of things, this is a no-loss situation.

Demps, who did not race in London but received a medal as part of the team, is a world-class sprinter and athlete that should only expand the versatility of the Patriots offense.

If Demps, a running back in college, can make the transition to an NFL wide receiver or simply serve as a swing back for quarterback Tom Brady, he is an instant touchdown waiting to happen.

But the real treat for New England is what Demps should be able to contribute on special teams.

According to Football Outsiders' special teams rankings, the Patriots had the third-best weighted DVOA (distributed value over average) in football last season.

The only place where New England struggled was in the return game, where the team ranked 25th in kick returns and 18th in punt returns using FO's metrics.

Replacing Donte' Stallworth and Shane Vereen, the Patriots' assumed starting kick returners this season, with Demps' is undoubtedly a massive upgrade.

Even if he's unable to properly follow blocks, there will be times where the sheer force of the former Florida Gator's world-class quickness should put New England in great field position and could even swing the momentum of a big game.

Considering it won't cost New England anything other than money to sign him, bringing in Demps is yet another savvy move in an offseason full of them for the Patriots.