Bedard article on Finley (yikes)

[Deputy Nutz]

The question is, how many wake up calls does this kid need? He said he had one after his rookie year, when he was calling out his QB in front of reporters, and been a total jackass. Got a wake up call that lasted all of two months, then he has a tremendous season, and goes punk in the off-season, another wake up call, and everything is good again.

I think this kid is stuck in a really crappy cycle, and hopefully for the Packers they can get this kid straightened out, but I have a hard time thinking that he is ever really going to turn the corner. Talks a good game, but it is hard to break a kid that carries around such a large sense of intitlement.

[Cleft Crusty]

The article is just an interview with Finley, written to give the perspective of the contrite recovering malcontent. Since there are no recent quotes from any of the other principle players in the story - save the returning agent - the story is completely based on the words of Finley. A good reporter would have tried to follow up with coaches, GMs, administration, players, etc. to determine whether Finley's story represents a true change he is experiencing, whether it is player-driven propaganda, or just wishful thinking. Not a high point for Mr. Bedard. Impossible to tell from this article where exactly Finley's head is at, except perhaps that his body seems to be back where it's supposed to be.

[gbgary]

well...it all sounds good. he says he "all about the truth", we'll see. i think he was the most improved Packer last year. here's to having an even better season this year...

[pbmax]

The article is just an interview with Finley, written to give the perspective of the contrite recovering malcontent. Since there are no recent quotes from any of the other principle players in the story - save the returning agent - the story is completely based on the words of Finley. A good reporter would have tried to follow up with coaches, GMs, administration, players, etc. to determine whether Finley's story represents a true change he is experiencing, whether it is player-driven propaganda, or just wishful thinking. Not a high point for Mr. Bedard. Impossible to tell from this article where exactly Finley's head is at, except perhaps that his body seems to be back where it's supposed to be.

I agree. There is no corroboration. But the one thing I wish he would have delved into was the condition of Finley's knee. Why isn't it fully rehabbed yet and why is he leaving OTAs instead of getting treatment in GB?

[Lurker64]

According to Bedard, this is what didn't make it into the article: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/93893409.html

[pbmax]

According to Bedard, this is what didn't make it into the article: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/93893409.html

Thanks for the link Lurker. I am not sure how difficult it would have been to work "lingering weakness though no structural damage" into his article when saying its up in the air how much training vs. rehab he does in the article. But I am not a professional rabble rouser. Sounds like Greg was getting a lot of email like this:

"WHAT THE F*&! IS WRONG WITH HIS KNEE!!!!! WHY HAVEN'T YOU BEEN WRITING ABOUT THAT INSTEAD OF BULAGA'S HOME RUNS!

[Lurker64]

According to Bedard, this is what didn't make it into the article: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/93893409.html

Thanks for the link Lurker. I am not sure how difficult it would have been to work "lingering weakness though no structural damage" into his article when saying its up in the air how much training vs. rehab he does in the article. But I am not a professional rabble rouser. Sounds like Greg was getting a lot of email like this:

"WHAT THE F*&! IS WRONG WITH HIS KNEE!!!!! WHY HAVEN'T YOU BEEN WRITING ABOUT THAT INSTEAD OF BULAGA'S HOME RUNS!

Well, I think when you read these articles mostly online (as many do), you start to lose sight of the fact that articles like this are intended to end up in actual physical newspapers where things like space are at a premium. Bedard probably had all of those things initially in the article, but cut them for space since he's not allowed as many column inches as he damn well pleases. You can always put the excess in the blog, after all.

[RashanGary]

I think they have that piece of medical equipment that can measure weak spots on a players body. Finley just got in, probably got his physical, including the strength measurement on that machine. Because Finley probably babied that knee for a while, he probably has a little lingering weakness in those areas. It sounds like the knee is fine, but he's still getting strength back to the surrounding areas. Just working out and going through camp not babying it, I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm hoping he ends up in Fitz' camp. That would be a great place for a guy like Finley.

[Deputy Nutz]

I think they have that piece of medical equipment that can measure weak spots on a players body. Finley just got in, probably got his physical, including the strength measurement on that machine. Because Finley probably babied that knee for a while, he probably has a little lingering weakness in those areas. It sounds like the knee is fine, but he's still getting strength back to the surrounding areas. Just working out and going through camp not babying it, I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm hoping he ends up in Fitz' camp. That would be a great place for a guy like Finley.

Lots of positve hard working players there. Some really good mature football players that hopefully can influence this fella in the right direction

[Guiness]

Don't know what to make of this article, ya, it scares me a bit. I hope he listens to a good agent and behaves himself, contract-wise. I'd hate for him to have another decent season, and decide, 'a la JWalk' that he needs his money early.

The VY thing in the blog is weird. When his agent has no clue, he takes off to Austin, practices with the guy, then bad-mouths him? Odd.

[bobblehead]

Don't know what to make of this article, ya, it scares me a bit. I hope he listens to a good agent and behaves himself, contract-wise. I'd hate for him to have another decent season, and decide, 'a la JWalk' that he needs his money early.

The VY thing in the blog is weird. When his agent has no clue, he takes off to Austin, practices with the guy, then bad-mouths him? Odd.

My guess is that he and VY were boys in college, but now VY has all the money and is batshit crazy. Finley probably went down to see him thinking they were boys still, but VY was luke warm towards him. I see this shit all the time when guys get famous. I knew a guy who was pretty tight with Jeter years ago and now he complains that its work to get Jeter to return a text much less a call. If finley is smart he will move on and make his own mark and stick with those that are real friends.

[Guiness]

My guess is that he and VY were boys in college, but now VY has all the money and is batshit crazy. Finley probably went down to see him thinking they were boys still, but VY was luke warm towards him. I see this shit all the time when guys get famous. I knew a guy who was pretty tight with Jeter years ago and now he complains that its work to get Jeter to return a text much less a call. If finley is smart he will move on and make his own mark and stick with those that are real friends.

That would be something if a college teamate who went on play in the show, and is thought to be becoming one of the top TE's in the league doesn't cut it to hang with! Pretty rarefied air - who does he hang with, only guys that won ROY?

[DonHutson]

So we should get a few great years out of him. After that, if he grows up we can resign him. If he doesn't, we'll let someone else make the mistake.

Either way, not bad for a 3rd round investment. That's where you can and should start taking risks on headcases like this.

[boiga]

There is something else going on here regarding Major Adams. Vince Young dropped him a little after Finley for no obvious reason to move to a more recognized firm:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/11/caa-replaces-shawne-merriman-with-vince-young/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/14/young-says-agent-change-wasnt-about-immediate-contract/

I'm really curious which of the two dropped Adams first and what the hell this guy could have done to piss off both of his only nfl clients. Something very bad happened while the three of them were hanging out in Austin.


The other hero in the J-mike story is his wife. I've got to respect a woman who would drop a man with a giant contract coming in a year or two because he's making a giant self-destructive ass out of himself.

[bobblehead]

My guess is that he and VY were boys in college, but now VY has all the money and is batshit crazy. Finley probably went down to see him thinking they were boys still, but VY was luke warm towards him. I see this shit all the time when guys get famous. I knew a guy who was pretty tight with Jeter years ago and now he complains that its work to get Jeter to return a text much less a call. If finley is smart he will move on and make his own mark and stick with those that are real friends.

That would be something if a college teamate who went on play in the show, and is thought to be becoming one of the top TE's in the league doesn't cut it to hang with! Pretty rarefied air - who does he hang with, only guys that won ROY?

He hangs with whoever is closest to him at the moment....that is my point, Vince is a dolt who forgets his friends when they are not in sight. Babies develope the ability to realize that the things behind them are still there even when they can't see them....VY never did apparently.