Finley

[pbmax]

Boy, was this getting to be a long post.

Let's just go with I like Finley and want him to succeed. But every time I read an explanation like this:

http://blogs.greenbaypressgazette.com/blogs/gpg/insider/2012/08/13/finley-im-my-own-enemy/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I roll my eyes. I begin to suspect there is a troubling immaturity that stubbornly refuses to go away. He isn't Ochocinco/TO level insecure, but he seems consistently worried about what everyone else thinks. If that's all these quotes are, fodder for fans, then I am only worried about more injuries.

But if his workout habits change because of perceived criticism or vagaries of success, then I begin to wonder if he is strong enough emotionally to commit to becoming great. Because like Wilt Chamberlain, every year he will be chasing some other ghost of criticism from the public/press.

I suspect he is just giving Demovsky and Wilde good copy and playing to the fans. But at some point you need to stop talking about what you will do on the field and just do it.

[Joemailman]

I wonder what he'll do if he ever does have the 80 receptions/1200 yards/14 TD's type of season that he seems to think he's capable of. Will he then stop worrying, or will his ego make him difficult to deal with? I think MM is the perfect coach for him. Doesn't overreact to potentially disruptive situations, and deals with issues privately.

[denverYooper]

I saw that earlier and the first thought that occurred to me was, "oh jeez". It's the second year his offseason workouts have caused some sort of issue. Last year he had showed up in very good shape but a little heavier (?) than they wanted.

Also, he seems to get injured a lot. Must be doing too much work with free weights.

[denverYooper]

I wonder what he'll do if he ever does have the 80 receptions/1200 yards/14 TD's type of season that he seems to think he's capable of. Will he then stop worrying, or will his ego make him difficult to deal with? I think MM is the perfect coach for him. Doesn't overreact to potentially disruptive situations, and deals with issues privately.

Let's hope we get to find out.

[pbmax]

I saw that earlier and the first thought that occurred to me was, "oh jeez". It's the second year his offseason workouts have caused some sort of issue. Last year he had showed up in very good shape but a little heavier (?) than they wanted.

Also, he seems to get injured a lot. Must be doing too much work with free weights.

Actually last year he went lighter, this year he seems to say heavier. Last year I think that was about playing the WR tender card for the Franchise Tag more than a rebellion on his position. Not sure if he actually is heavier this year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't get what the big deal is?

[pbmax]

I don't get what the big deal is?

Finley claims that media and fan criticism him to work too hard in the offseason and in camp and thus, resulted in his quad pull.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I wonder what he'll do if he ever does have the 80 receptions/1200 yards/14 TD's type of season that he seems to think he's capable of. Will he then stop worrying, or will his ego make him difficult to deal with? I think MM is the perfect coach for him. Doesn't overreact to potentially disruptive situations, and deals with issues privately.

Well actually take half of those drops away and he probably finshes close to 1,000 yards last season. I think he is capable of 1,000 yard/10 td type of seasons once he "puts it all together." He needs someone to teach him how to handle talking to the media though.

[Packers4Glory]

Finley claims that media and fan criticism him to work too hard in the offseason and in camp and thus, resulted in his quad pull.

ehh...that's a bit of a leap.

[Cleft Crusty]

Finley claims that media and fan criticism him to work too hard in the offseason and in camp and thus, resulted in his quad pull.

Reader criticism of my view on AJ Hawk resulted in more typing, carpal tunnel, botched surgery, experimental pain meds, detox, resulting in more criticism. It's a vicious cycle.

[Joemailman]

Reader criticism of my view on AJ Hawk resulted in more typing, carpal tunnel, botched surgery, experimental pain meds, detox, resulting in more criticism. It's a vicious cycle.

What a diva.

[pbmax]

ehh...that's a bit of a leap.

Its not clear from either article who broached public criticism first (a possible indication the reporters brought it up) but here is how Wilde framed it:

Asked if the criticism was a factor, Finley replied, “No doubt. All the dropped passes and whatnot, coming into the season, I was trying to run my routes as hard as hell, trying to catch the ball as best as possible, working out to get as big as possible and as strong as possible, so it’s myself. I’m my own enemy, man, when it comes to working out.”

He may have simply entertained their theory and meant nothing more by it than answering a question. I could have succumbed to the temptation to pay more attention to his words than deeds. But the less he plays the easier it is to make that mistake.

http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=9681

[gbgary]

so he admits to working extra hard in the off-season, to being his own [worst] enemy when it comes to workouts, to not relaxing more when hard work wasn't required, all supposedly (according to the interviewer's paraphrased question) in response to fan/media criticism? who knows if the interviewer actually asked him that? hey jermichael...did the sub-par year you had cause you to work even harder this off-season? i'll go out on a limb and guess that no one had to tell him he had a less than great season, that his coach and teammates expected more. immaturity? [sigh]

[pbmax]

so he admits to working extra hard in the off-season, to being his own [worst] enemy when it comes to workouts, to not relaxing more when hard work wasn't required, all supposedly (according to the interviewer's paraphrased question) in response to fan/media criticism? who knows if the interviewer actually asked him that? hey jermichael...did the sub-par year you had cause you to work even harder this off-season? i'll go out on a limb and guess that no one had to tell him he had a less than great season, that his coach and teammates expected more. immaturity? [sigh]

Doesn't saying you are unavailable because you work too hard seem like the answer you give in an interview about your greatest weakness? Very convenient. It seems far more likely to be a convenient explanation than hitting close to the truth. If Eddie Haskell spoke it, I couldn't believe it less.

But even if it is exactly true, shouldn't Finley be responsible for choosing a workout program that increases rather than decreases his availability? And if he chooses to deviate from that plan, does that not reflect on his judgement? And this follows on the heels of a relatively healthy year (although the off-season spent in recovery from knee surgery) where the results of his work and frame of mind was regressing as a pass catcher. Whether by workout or by concern over his contract status, he wasn't at his best.

I still believe in his talent and in his desire to be great. But this is year 5 and the team is still waiting for him to figure everything out. The one specific area he needs to work on is route running, and he needs to practice to get better. And his comments about Fontenot not coaching him too much or the freestyling thing don't inspire confidence.

I may very well have fallen into the trap of reading too much into his words or trying to read his mind. But at this point, his availability to play and produce are becoming a question mark. I think Joemailman nailed the point. For whatever reason, he might never be the kind of player to put up a dominant year. Not regularly.

[Patler]

Big deal in and of itself? No, absolutely not. But, it does continue a pattern of recognizing, but deflecting responsibility. It started as a rookie and seems to continue each year in one way or another. Maybe it is just poor interview habits. In the end, it really doesn't matter.

As the saying goes, it is time for Finley to "put-up, or shut-up." His career has been frequented by injuries, with occasions of brilliance and some inconsistency. If he is ever going to be the player he and many others think he can be, its time to start. In his 5th year it is too late to talk about potential, it's time to talk about actual performance. He is in the middle part of his career, which should be his most dominant years.