Brian Finneran

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Atlanta Falcons
currentnumber=86
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|1|31
birthplace=Mission Viejo, California
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=217
debutyear=1999
debutteam=Philadelphia Eagles
college=Villanova
draftyear=
draftround=
draftpick=
pastteams=
* Philadelphia Eagles (1999)
* Barcelona Dragons (1999)
* Atlanta Falcons (2000-present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=187
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=2,647
statlabel3=Receiving TDs
statvalue3=15
nfl=FIN583520

Brian Finneran (born January 31, 1976 in Mission Viejo, California) is an American football wide receiver in the NFL who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons. He previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

High school career

Brian Finneran attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and finished his three-year career there with a school career-record 177 receptions.

College career

Brian Finneran and his twin brother, Brad, headed out to the East coast to play football for Villanova. The identical twin brothers were both all around great athletes, & crowd favorites. Brad played well, but Brian's natural skill and effortless ability were rewarded as a letterman in College football. Junior year the rumors spread across campus that the Finneran brothers were considering trying out for the basketball team. In the off season the two brothers were always on the court when not hitting the books. A strict coaching staff would not allow them the burden of trying to carry two varsity sports. However, many pick up games were played in the Jake Nevin fieldhouse, sparking crowds to come and watch as the Finneran brothers took on (and dominated) Villanova greats like Alvin Williams, Jason Lawson, & Kerry Kittles! Brian finished his impressive college career with 265 receptions for 3872 yards and 34 touchdowns(14.61 yards per rec. avg.). As a senior, Finneran was given the Walter Payton Award (given to the nation's top Division I-AA offensive player) and earned All-American honors from the Associated Press and finished his senior season with 96 receptions for 1,389 yards (14.44 yards per reception). Finneran's biggest college cheerleaders were his young children, toddler son Conor and infant daughter Brynn. Today Finneran remains married to his high school sweetheart Erin and has two more boys, Keenan and Cullen. He was a groomsman in former Falcon teammate Matt Schaub's 2008 wedding.

Professional career

Prior to joining the Falcons, Finneran played for the NFL Europe Barcelona Dragons where he was named All-NFL Europe. After coming to America and joining the Falcons, Finneran proved to be a solid possession receiver. Over his career, Finneran has become the most consistent of all Falcons receivers in recent years. Despite the coaches efforts to keep Finneran mainly as a slot receiver, he has been quarterback Michael Vick's favorite target of all the teams wide receivers.

Injury

Finneran tore ligaments in his left knee during Falcons practice on July 30th and missed the 2006 NFL season. He missed his second straight season in a row after tearing the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.