Let him walk

[mission]

The Patlerized was for Patler definitively demonstrating that Brandon misrepresented Patler's position. I am firmly in the Finley camp with Brandon and you. The original spat was whether to prioritize signing Wells or Finley, and I thought - and still think - it's absurd to favor Wells. In my estimation, it's much easier to replace Wells than Finley. That's my opinion. Misrepresent it and I will Paterlize you.

I'm with you 100% on all of that. Usually am. (don't patlerize me!)

I missed the Wells thing... thought it was about him telling Brandon he would never understand his position on Finley or whatever that was about.

[pbmax]

Quarless enters the picture as the replacement level player. While healthy, he offered a young but tested substitute starter. Now injured, the dropoff is much greater. Its not that Quarless could perform at Finley's level or draw the same attention, its what would be left if Finley were to leave.

To Patler's point, Thompson has shown in the past that he would not hesitate to cut someone who did not represent value at a certain price/age/production, regardless of who the depth was. However, he has been more generous the longer he has stayed. And that probably has less to do with a change of heart versus a change in the short and long term cap situation and the relative talent on the roster and its proximity to competing in the playoffs.

[mission]

To Patler's point, Thompson has shown in the past that he would not hesitate to cut someone who did not represent value at a certain price/age/production, regardless of who the depth was. However, he has been more generous the longer he has stayed. And that probably has less to do with a change of heart versus a change in the short and long term cap situation and the relative talent on the roster and its proximity to competing in the playoffs.

I really wish that was true with AJ Hawk. Like the guy, but not $33 million worth of 'like'.

[mraynrand]

Quarless enters the picture as the replacement level player. While healthy, he offered a young but tested substitute starter. Now injured, the dropoff is much greater. Its not that Quarless could perform at Finley's level or draw the same attention, its what would be left if Finley were to leave.

All Ryan Taylor does is score touchdowns

[Tarlam!]

All Ryan Taylor does is score touchdowns

Hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahah ahah

[Tarlam!]

Yeah, you made the "stamp",but I coined the phrase. I want my dues! But, you did make a nice stamp!

[denverYooper]

All Ryan Taylor does is score touchdowns

Finally! A suitable replacement for Havner!

[Brandon494]

How does Quarless have anything to do with Finley though? I'm lost. Guys aren't even in the same stratosphere, even accounting for the negatives of Finley (drops, talking etc).

Imagine D-coordinators rolling their coverages around Quarless. Not to mention #81 might not even play next season.

I like Patler, respect Patler, but you guys are real quick to throw out the Patlerized.

They just like to see someone prove me wrong but time will prove I'm right.

[Brandon494]

I actually read a pretty good argument by Waldo a while back stating that the return on a great TE over a good one is better than the return on a great WR on a good one. I don't remember the specifics since it was a while back (and I'm no longer on that forum), but the study he was referencing did comparative studies on WR replacements versus TE replacements. I don't know if the accuracy/truth is there or if it was incidental, but it was a fascinating concept nonetheless.

Exactly, some fail to realize how a tight end can be a QB's best friend. Look what Brady and Brees have at the TE positions and some want to let Finley walk so we can focus on other positions? What other positions do we need to focus on resigning that are most important then keeping a top player at in his positions who has yet to even enter his prime.

[Brandon494]

There is a young corp of very strong performers on this team, and eventually all will be on second or third contracts. At some point soon Rodgers will take a very large portion of the salary cap. When those things happen, at times the Packers will have to let a player or two leave who they really would like to keep. It happened under Wolf in the '90s; it will happen eventually under TT as well. I think Finley could be the first.

You do realize contracts like Grant, Clifton, Driver, Pickett, and possibly Collins among others will be off the books by then right? Unlike Wolf TT doesn't go after FAs and builds his team thru the draft. Reason Wolf had to let players go was because of FA signings, TT is much better at handling then cap then Wolf was.

As for whether my praise for Finley is always backhanded, you are wrong. My praise is always straight forward, nothing backhanded about it at all. BUT my praise often is coupled with recognition that Finley is an enigma, and a fluctuating one at that. I chose to recognize what I see as the good, the bad and the relative significance about him and the position he plays. On the other hand, you seem to focus only on the good and discount or ignore all the rest.

What you call discounting or ignoring I call overreacting by some fans, that was you who made such a big deal about him showing up to camp weighing less right?

[denverYooper]

This theory goes as follows and begins now. All brontosauruses are thin at one end, much much thicker in the middle, and the thin again at the far end. That is my theory, it is mine, and it belongs to me, and I own it, and what it is, too.

[mraynrand]

They just like to see someone prove me wrong but time will prove I'm right.

You were wrong about Patler's position, but I think you will be right about Finley. You know your football.

[Upnorth]

This Offence is better with Finley than without. He is a significant contributor and worth a good contract, I have previously stated the I am okay with about 7.5/year of contract, but would like to see a lower base that has increases for catch rates that would put it over 8mil.

If he does not stay we will be an excellent offence still, however I would rather see him here.

[George Cumby]

Finley is a good player with the potential to be great.

I roll my eyes at his grandiosity, at times. BUT: at the beginning of last year I saw him bring a Michael Irvin-esque swagger to the offense that seemed to rub off on his team-mates. It was a kind of "we're gonna' kick your ass all day" aura. While I detest Irvin, I loved that attitude.

After JMike got injured last year and the team went on their fabled run, they developed their identity so 88's power of personality seems to be diluted. So that swagger, although there, doesn't jump out as much.

Furthermore, as many have stated here, there is no real indication that the guy is anything but a good team-mate.

He stays and probably for a reasonable price.

[Fritz]

Exactly, some fail to realize how a tight end can be a QB's best friend. Look what Brady and Brees have at the TE positions and some want to let Finley walk so we can focus on other positions? What other positions do we need to focus on resigning that are most important then keeping a top player at in his positions who has yet to even enter his prime.