Match Made In Heaven: McCarthy and Finley

[Fritz]

Look, I think Finley seems often to be a charismatic, confident, but still very young guy. He may well be a team-first guy. But he's got to look out for himself and make what he can while he can. He'd be foolish to play for relative peanuts just cuz he's a neat-o guy. And who could blame him for wanting to make what he can while he can in the precarious business that is the NFL?

[Smeefers]

You need to do a little research before you post and actually see what type of money players like Clifton, Driver, and Woodson are making right now. We'll have more then enough to resign Finley, Clay, and Raji. TT isnt going to overpay for Finley but stop assuming that we'll have to break the bank to resign Finley. Some fans act like this kid is the next TO just because he wants to be a great player. Its you actually followed his on tweets on twitter everyday instead of going by what he hear from the media you would know that this guy is all about the team and isn't a me first player. He just wants to be great and some fans take what he says the wrong way.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm saying Finley is gone because he is such a great player. I think he's an elite level tight end and he deserves to get paid. I simply believe that TT isn't going to spend that kind of money for a TE, especially with 4 TE's sitting behind him. I don't think Finley is going to want to get paid like a TE either. I think he's going to want to get paid like a reciever and that kind of money is huge. We may have the money to sign him, but just because we have it sitting in the bank doesn't mean TT is going to hand it out. Even though this is his contract year, Finley hasn't had much on the field production because of injury and the fact that he came into the league early and started off as a developmental player. Someone is going to pay him all kinds of money on the potential every single person who watches him play, sees. I just don't know if TT is in the habit of giving out monster contracts on potential alone.

Of course, if we do happen to hang on to him, I will be extremely happy. I just don't think it's going to happen (without a franchise tag).

[mraynrand]

Look, I think Finley seems often to be a charismatic, confident, but still very young guy. He may well be a team-first guy. But he's got to look out for himself and make what he can while he can. He'd be foolish to play for relative peanuts just cuz he's a neat-o guy. And who could blame him for wanting to make what he can while he can in the precarious business that is the NFL?

What you say is true. Thing is, even without the F-tag, I'm betting the Packers can sign Finley - I suspect he might be willing to sign for less than crazy money. Top 3 TE money. There is the chance he will want to bolt no matter what, thinking he'd be the overwhelming featured guy in a lesser offense. We'll have to see.

[gbgary]

I still have to laugh at fans who think we should let Finley walk.

yup. would be like letting jennings walk. crazy! i think tt will sign him also. i don't think tt wants to be like ron wolf and not keep top notch tallent around rodgers.

[mraynrand]

yup. would be like letting jennings walk. crazy! i think tt will sign him also. i don't think tt wants to be like ron wolf and not keep top notch tallent around rodgers.

Oh stop that. Wolf wanted more receiving talent around Favre, he just couldn't always make it happen. But in 2000 alone, he drafted two tackles that would protect Favre for 7 years, and made a fabulous steal to pick up a RB that would protect him by not having to throw the ball every down, and drafted a TE in the first round who he thought would be the safety valve for a long time. Got to get over the "Ron Wolf didn't surround Favre with talent" meme. It's a bit trite.

[gbgary]

wolf himself admitted he didn't do enough. that that was his biggest regret. i'm not judging wolf...wolf judged wolf. i'm just using his assessment. i don't think tt ever wants to have to say that. hey wolf is a Packers legend as far as i'm concerned.

[mraynrand]

wolf himself admitted he didn't do enough. that that was his biggest regret. i'm not judging wolf...wolf judged wolf. i'm just using his assessment. i don't think tt ever wants to have to say that. hey wolf is a Packers legend as far as i'm concerned.

It's tired even from Wolf himself. Seriously. Wolf regrets not drafting Moss. So did 19 other teams, etc. etc. etc. *Yawn*

[Guiness]

It's tired even from Wolf himself. Seriously. Wolf regrets not drafting Moss. So did 19 other teams, etc. etc. etc. *Yawn*

Wolf's done his fair share of 'talking to hear myself talk'.

[KYPack]

MM always wanted an elite pass catching TE to complete the full house hand the GBP holds on offense. TT traded for Tony Gonzales in mid season a few seasons back. Carl Peterson from KC reneged on the deal and the trade was cancelled. Thompson knows what a top TE means to this offense. Using the tag on JF? It might well happen, but nobody plays moneyball better than TT, the king of the NFL moneyball game.

[woodbuck27]

I agree. I think Finley comes across as an engaging, very confident guy. Nothing wrong with that. He still has some rough edges (doesn't always line up properly), but he's a great asset and makes the offense dynamic in the extreme. They will resign him, and he will be dominant for years to come.

And in answer to the jab that they won a Superbowl without him - well, yes they did. But it wasn't a cakewalk by any stretch. Just compare the offense against Chicago with and without Finley. I'm looking forward to seeing the difference Finley makes against teams like San Diego and Tampa as well. Assuming pass pro remains decent, I think Finley will continue to force most teams to leave guys open and give Rodgers all sorts of mismatches to exploit in the offense.

Just how inteligent is this TE? ie What was his winderlic score? Then ... how smart is he? How wise??

How long will it take him to get it right in setting up for the play calls? Does he pay attention under duress? Again intelligence and will power are measured.

Is he still a threat to stretch the field?

How many players on the opposition 'D' are needed to cover him in a sure passing play?

How well is he handling assignment in terms of blocking?

Is he overall assignment sure?

Is he in any way a distraction to the team? ie a me me me guy? or

A potential leader?

Does his confidence match his effort and hands on gameday?

Who do you pay? J. Finley or R. Grant?

Is that even a consideration?

Just some of the questions I'd be asking myself or getting answers for if I was 'the man'.

GO PACK GO!

[woodbuck27]

MM always wanted an elite pass catching TE to complete the full house hand the GBP holds on offense. TT traded for Tony Gonzales in mid season a few seasons back. Carl Peterson from KC reneged on the deal and the trade was cancelled. Thompson knows what a top TE means to this offense. Using the tag on JF? It might well happen, but nobody plays moneyball better than TT, the king of the NFL moneyball game.

Moneyball and TT and BEST.

KY if you say that. I buy that Man. That's my respect for you.

On the note of Moneyball....

http://www.moneyball-movie.com/

Everyone ... if you havn't seen Moneyball starring Brad Pitt try hard to get to that amazing movie.

Brad Pitt will win the OSCAR (Best Actor) THIS YEAR FOR HIS AMAZING PERFORMACE. I saw this movie 2X and enjoyed it more the second time. It's really well done.

I seldom go there or revisit a movie. It has to be something else and moies todat seem to reach hard into 'the SUCKY Department. I

saw 'The Town' 2X ( Ben Affleck's solid acting and Directorial debut); before that and way back in what, 1985, and Platoon.

GO PACKERS !

[Partial]

MM always wanted an elite pass catching TE to complete the full house hand the GBP holds on offense. TT traded for Tony Gonzales in mid season a few seasons back. Carl Peterson from KC reneged on the deal and the trade was cancelled. Thompson knows what a top TE means to this offense. Using the tag on JF? It might well happen, but nobody plays moneyball better than TT, the king of the NFL moneyball game.

I don't know if I'd go that far but he certainly has gotta be up there with Ozzie Newsome and Phil Savage as the king of talent evaluators. He's the best or second best drafter, that's for sure.

Finley isn't going anywhere unless they don't want him. I would not be surprised to see him signed to a 3 year extension during the bye. He'll have plenty of time to go out and get more money in a few years.

[pbmax]

One other thing to consider would be how much elite money is committed on offense? Rodgers, Sitton and Jennings are young vets with high price tags. Bulaga and Sherrod are first round picks but both were the end of the 1st round and esp with Sherrod and the new slotting system, each is relatively cheap for a starting caliber player.

Clifton is the other carrying a big price tag but I suspect that might only be the case for one more year at most.

Driver, Jones and Nelson are all reasonable as is the rest of the O line.

I think there is money on offense to sign him to a big deal, if they wish to commit. The only open question is whether Finley is committed to testing FA like Jones, or is willing to sign early like Sitton or Jennings.

[Guiness]

One other thing to consider would be how much elite money is committed on offense? Rodgers, Sitton and Jennings are young vets with high price tags. Bulaga and Sherrod are first round picks but both were the end of the 1st round and esp with Sherrod and the new slotting system, each is relatively cheap for a starting caliber player.

Clifton is the other carrying a big price tag but I suspect that might only be the case for one more year at most.

Driver, Jones and Nelson are all reasonable as is the rest of the O line.

I think there is money on offense to sign him to a big deal, if they wish to commit. The only open question is whether Finley is committed to testing FA like Jones, or is willing to sign early like Sitton or Jennings.

Is Sitton really getting elite money? His deal averages under $7million/year, so it's high, but not what Mankins or Hutchison make.

Driver may well renegotiate down to stay with the team. I'd say Clifton will come off the books, but it seems like I've heard that each of the last three years.

Regardless, I think the money is there, if TT decides Finley is where he wants to spend it. My gut tells me it won't happen though, that monster money will get thrown at him. I think he ends up being franchised and traded, as we did with Corey Williams. There's a lesser chance we sign him before the season is out, but I don't think so. I hope so, but don't think so.

[woodbuck27]

Is Sitton really getting elite money? His deal averages under $7million/year, so it's high, but not what Mankins or Hutchison make.

Driver may well renegotiate down to stay with the team. I'd say Clifton will come off the books, but it seems like I've heard that each of the last three years.

Regardless, I think the money is there, if TT decides Finley is where he wants to spend it. My gut tells me it won't happen though, that monster money will get thrown at him. I think he ends up being franchised and traded, as we did with Corey Williams. There's a lesser chance we sign him before the season is out, but I don't think so. I hope so, but don't think so.

IMO. The botton line will be how he performs this season. That could be very well and could then go either way. How deep is his loyalty and dedication to OUR team?

PACKERS FOREVER !