Donald Driver

[Brandon494]

So if we win again does that mean we don't need Collins? Yes we won the Super Bowl without Finley but that doesn't change the fact that only 3-5 guys in the league could replace his talents on this team. Now we have guys who can fill in for him but obviously we aren't going to ask them to do the samethings we ask of Finley because frankly they can't.

[Upnorth]

Double D is one of my all time favorites, but I do think he is in his last year. He MIGHT last one more if he takes a pay cut and no one emerges that the coaches want to develope, but I'm betting against it at this point....he does still look quick as a dart though.

Agree with most of this, assuming we don't get another rookie wr in the draft. If we do and he is as good as Cobb then we will say 'thanks for the memories' to #80.
If we do let him go, he will sign on somewhere.

[Teamcheez1]

DD > JJ

DD is due over $5M in salary and bonuses next year. No we we bring him back at that cost.

[pbmax]

No, I'm not trying to compare anybody. The point is that we don't need an elite pass catching TE to win with this offense, so Finley can be replaced by just about anybody. If Finley played on another team, perhaps your original comment would have been more accurate. You said only 3-5 guys in the NFL can replace him, when Quarless and Crabtree replaced him just fine one season ago. I know you like him and all, but we really don't need him to win. That's what the ring says.

You are just splitting a hair there. Everyone has a replacement ready. The dropoff is what counts. What if a WR is hurt in the playoff run? Then do Quarless and Crabtree work as effectively?

Why handicap yourself? Its conceivable the Packers could win without Wells, Grant, Newhouse, Jones or Hawk. Why resign any of them?

This argument is ludicrous. Of course there is a price he is not worth. But that doesn't mean he should be allowed to walk for less. There needs to be a good reason to let his talent leave and "we won without him" is not persuasive enough.

[Upnorth]

You are just splitting a hair there. Everyone has a replacement ready. The dropoff is what counts. What is a WR is hurt in the playoff run? Then do Quarless and Crabtree work as effectively?

Why handicap yourself? Its conceivable the Packers could win without Wells, Grant, Newhouse, Jones or Hawk. Why resign any of them?

This argument is ludicrous. Of course there is a price he is not worth. But that doesn't mean he should be allowed to walk for less. There needs to be a good reason to let his talent leave and "we won without him" is not persuasive enough.

What is the franchise cost for a TE, 5mil or so? I think Finley is worth about 7/ yr over a 5 year contract. Expensive early, cheap late.

[pbmax]

Yes, Witten is the highest paid annually at $7.4 million, and the franchise tag is expected by Andrew Brandt to be between $5.4 and $5.6 million.

[gbgary]

a finley discussion again? look, without finley we're a weaker team! whoever's in favor of weaker speak up.

[Upnorth]

a finley discussion again? look, without finley we're a weaker team! whoever's in favor of weaker speak up.

WHo's this Weaker you speak of, is he a draft prospect?

[Brandon494]

http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/11/22/11/Finley-wants-to-be-the-NFLs-best-tight-e/landing.html?blockID=610082&feedID=9250

Through 10 games, Finley is ninth in the league among tight ends in yards and tied for fifth in touchdowns.

But the value he adds, according to a loaded group of Packers wide receivers, comes simply from Finley being on the field.

"He's going to always bring attention," veteran receiver Donald Driver said. "People know how good he is. He has his presence. When teams go out there, they know they have to put pressure on Jermichael, they have to jam Jermichael and they have to try to take him away. They have to disrupt him any way possible. That's what makes him such a great tight end."

[Gunakor]

You are just splitting a hair there. Everyone has a replacement ready. The dropoff is what counts. What if a WR is hurt in the playoff run? Then do Quarless and Crabtree work as effectively?

Why handicap yourself? Its conceivable the Packers could win without Wells, Grant, Newhouse, Jones or Hawk. Why resign any of them?

This argument is ludicrous. Of course there is a price he is not worth. But that doesn't mean he should be allowed to walk for less. There needs to be a good reason to let his talent leave and "we won without him" is not persuasive enough.

The argument has nothing to do with cost or whether we should have him back. Very specifically, Brandon says only 3-5 guys in the NFL can replace Finley. That's the argument, not whether we want him back or what he's worth.

Quarless and Crabtree replaced him last season, and while there may have been a dropoff it was irrelevant in the end. We won the Super Bowl. Nothing else matters. That's the goal. So, did Quarless and Crabtree adequately replace Finley? The answer is a resounding YES. Neither Quarless nor Crabtree are particularly awesome, so it is my opinion that just about anybody in the league could replace Finley here in Green Bay and we'd still win. Maybe they can't do what Finley does but who the hell cares when they're sizing you for rings? If winning is all that matters then what are we arguing about?

[smuggler]

Yeah, look how much better our offense is this year with Finley versus last year without. And the D has regressed, so until we get the pass rush back on track, we need all the O we can get, and that means keeping Finley for now. Sorry haters.

[Upnorth]

Some one saying JMike is replaceable does not make him a hater. If everything you replaced ment you hated itthen really you would have to hate everything, your car, your toothbrush. The question is at what point does it make sense to replace it. I think everyone wants jmike on the team, some just want him more than others. If we can get him for 7 mil per I say go for it. He does disrupt coverage, he does create massive coverage decision. We are currently in a new era of TE' and jmike is for sure top 10, possible top 5 and worth keeping around.

DD is great to have around as well and if we don't draft a new wr would like him to stay at less pay.

[Brandon494]

Someone doesn't understand the difference between replacing someone and "filling in". Just because we won last season without Finley doesn't change the fact that we are a better team with him.

[Upnorth]

Someone doesn't understand the difference between replacing someone and "filling in". Just because we won last season without Finley doesn't change the fact that we are a better team with him.

Now that is an excellent analysis of the argument.

[pbmax]

The argument has nothing to do with cost or whether we should have him back. Very specifically, Brandon says only 3-5 guys in the NFL can replace Finley. That's the argument, not whether we want him back or what he's worth.

Quarless and Crabtree replaced him last season, and while there may have been a dropoff it was irrelevant in the end. We won the Super Bowl. Nothing else matters. That's the goal. So, did Quarless and Crabtree adequately replace Finley? The answer is a resounding YES. Neither Quarless nor Crabtree are particularly awesome, so it is my opinion that just about anybody in the league could replace Finley here in Green Bay and we'd still win. Maybe they can't do what Finley does but who the hell cares when they're sizing you for rings? If winning is all that matters then what are we arguing about?

Because you do not stay competitive by staying the same. Just because of success without Finley does not mean that it is better to NOT have him. The Packers, McCarthy and Rodgers solved the offenses sluggishness without Finley for the final six game plus playoffs (after the Dallas reg season game I think). There is no guarantee that success can be duplicated. Not to mention that the offense is on a better streak even now.