Packers Sign Finley

[pittstang5]

(and there's no way they tag Flynn without having a handshake deal in place to trade him.)

Exactly and all you need is two teams that want him - let the bidding war commence.

[Smeefers]

If they're going to tag Flynn, it has to happen fast. I don't see it. March 7th is the deadline, right?

[pbmax]

Tag deadline is March 5th (according to Silverstein). And I agree its a prove it deal, but I wonder if it anticipates use of the tag in 2 years?

Does the new TV revenue kick in in 2013 or 2014? I think ESPN happens one year earlier than others. So 2013 could be a bump but I think 2014 is the big increase.

And this deal makes me like Finley even more. Say what you want about him, he is not afraid. Unless this deal has significant guarantees, he is taking a risk here. The new tag calculations gave the Packers a lot of leverage.

[Upnorth]

So the Driver pay cut will compensate the Finley raise. How much cap room are we left with?

[pbmax]

Finley knew what was happening and Thompson volunteers for some public speaking (From Feb 22, 2008):

http://host.madison.com/sports/looking-to-hook-a-horn-the-packers-might-already-be/article_2d96551d-b141-57f8-a9ea-828ba0654e76.html

[Scott Campbell]

I really don't think the Packers would guarantee the entire contract. Nobody does that.

I don't think I've ever seen a 2 year contract with such a young player. This one broke the mold a little.

[pbmax]

So the Driver pay cut will compensate the Finley raise. How much cap room are we left with?

There was approx $6.x million in room plus $5.x mil carried over from last year. So they had $12 mil, with Finley's new deal that leaves just over $6 mil. Flynn will cost $14 mil in cap space. So they need to clear room until shortly after the new league year starts.

If they do tag Flynn and just make it under the cap, they will be out of the FA market by cap number until he is traded. So even resigning their own at that point is on hold until Flynn gets moved. So they will need a trading partner before they tag him.

[pbmax]

I don't think I've ever seen a 2 year contract with such a young player. This one broke the mold a little.

I think Wahle signed a six year deal with Sherman that was engineered to end at 3 years. But I don't remember anything as short as 2 for a young one either.

[Joemailman]

For Finley, it's better than the Franchise tag. For the Packers, it gives them 2 more years to determine if Finley is a great player, or a guy who had the potential to be great.

[Patler]

No word yet of any signing bonus with this deal. All in all, a very team friendly deal from what we have heard so far.

It makes me wonder if the deal includes an agreement by the Packers not to franchise him in 2014. That would be one thing that would be in Finley's favor. The contract seems to be for not a lot more than tagging him for two years would have cost. I can understand him accepting that if it ensures he won't be tagged in 2014. Otherwise, he hasn't gained much that I can see.

[Ballboy]

Everyone one is mentioning the Tag Flynn and trade deal....I remember reading that this is actually against league rules and after the new agreement the league is really watching this type of deal.

Anyone else hear anything such as this?

[Cheesehead Craig]

So his 2012 cap # is less than his franchise tag would have cost?
With the big jump for 2013, methinks they are saying to Finley, "Now prove that the drops in 2011 were a fluke."


EDIT - My old eyes are failing me. I read the italics of the quote as $5.15, but now I see it as $5.75. So slightly more than the franchise #, but I still think they are asking him to prove himself.

Yep, hopefully next year will be "The Year Of The Catch" for Finley.

[Patler]

A few more details:

According to a league source, Finley will make $5.75 million in 2012 - slightly more than he would have gotten if he were franchised - and $8.25 million in 2013. He will receive all but about $2 million of his '12 salary in bonuses before the season starts.

The second-year total includes a $4.45 million roster bonus due the 15th day of the league year that would allow the Packers to cut ties with Finley with no future effect to their salary cap if he flames out this season. However, if they pay it, Finley will have pocketed $10.2 million over the first 13 months of the deal.

Still looks very team friendly by giving the team a decision point for a second year after 2012, with costs for 2012 not much more than the franchise tag, and no deadmoney for 2013 if for any reason they would decide to let him go.

[Pugger]

For Finley, it's better than the Franchise tag. For the Packers, it gives them 2 more years to determine if Finley is a great player, or a guy who had the potential to be great.

this

[ND72]

Everyone one is mentioning the Tag Flynn and trade deal....I remember reading that this is actually against league rules and after the new agreement the league is really watching this type of deal.

Anyone else hear anything such as this?

It's been against league rules for many years...they just simply "frown" upon the use of it. People are pointing out that this is in the new collective bargaining (are we allowed to say that in wisconsin) deal, but it was actually in the last deal as well.