Excellent Article Evaluating Finley

[Smidgeon]

What happened to this guy?

Remember when the fade to him in the end zone was almost automatic? Is it possible he still isn't all the way back from the knee injury? The guy in the video doesn't resemble the current #88 at all. It seems like he can't get anything vertical.

First, nobody is getting anything vertical this year. Seems like.

Second, maybe Finley should watch this video and remember that he can do these things and doesn't have to worry about thinking too much.

[Smidgeon]

First, nobody is getting anything vertical this year. Seems like.

Second, maybe Finley should watch this video and remember that he can do these things and doesn't have to worry about thinking too much.

Actually, I'm wondering if it's simply that other teams have learned how to defend Finley. Give him free release, he's fine. Make him fight for his route, he's not. Also, no more body catches. Make him use his hands.

[Upnorth]

I would take Bubba Franks. Just as good of a blocker as West, and Bubba could catch 6 and 7 yard passes!

But only in the red zone.

[George Cumby]

Actually, I'm wondering if it's simply that other teams have learned how to defend Finley. Give him free release, he's fine. Make him fight for his route, he's not. Also, no more body catches. Make him use his hands.

Actually, I think that teams have realized that they don't have to roll the coverage his way anymore. I think the opposing teams have realized that he doesn't pose that kind of threat, therefore they can focus their attention elsewhere which is why we can't get the deep ball anymore.

[Smidgeon]

Actually, I think that teams have realized that they don't have to roll the coverage his way anymore. I think the opposing teams have realized that he doesn't pose that kind of threat, therefore they can focus their attention elsewhere which is why we can't get the deep ball anymore.

I was thinking more along the lines of maybe they just need one to bump him and play him physically instead of two to bracket and let him run. In that clip, a lot of his catches were in a zone between defenders. Excepting his end zone fades and one or two others, it didn't seem like every pass was contested. He'd catch it between guys, in stride, etc. This year, it seems that every catch he makes is with one or two guys already draped over him or about to be.

Has he not recovered from the knee injury enough to have that athleticism to get open against coverage? I don't know if that's even a legitimate question. I'm just trying to see if there are any other angles besides "Finley sucks".

[Zool]

I was thinking more along the lines of maybe they just need one to bump him and play him physically instead of two to bracket and let him run.

Seems like this is the book on most of the Packer pass catchers. Jordy and Jennings are the same and they're getting a lot of press coverage.

[mraynrand]

I need to do some actual film study, but my instinct tells me almost everyone posting here is full of crap. The Packers offense works because there are too many guys to cover, and that the fourth or fifth receiver totally outmatches the opposition's fourth and fifth defensive back or LB. Finley has to be accounted for, and with Jennings out, is a top target, and a top concern for the defense. So, the Packers have to go to Jones and Cobb down the passing tree, and Finley gets less. Unfortunately, he's dropping too many passes, but that doesn't mean he's lost his advantage in size and speed matchups. Will be interesting to see how often he's doubled, how often he has a corner on him, and how often he's left in single coverage with a LB of Safety, because the latter two are the matchups that he's exploited over the years. Those matchups existed in part because the defense had two or three guys watching Jennings (see Rodger's interception against SF for example).

[Smidgeon]

Seems like this is the book on most of the Packer pass catchers. Jordy and Jennings are the same and they're getting a lot of press coverage.

And it almost explains why Jones is still producing. He's a physical receiver who fights for the ball.

[denverYooper]

I need to do some actual film study, but my instinct tells me almost everyone posting here is full of crap.

You don't need film study to figure that one out.

[pbmax]

The one part of Finley's game that I do think has always cost him is body catching. Unlike most body catchers, Finley can do both and that highlight reel shows it. But because he can choose how to do it, I think it takes away from developing one over the other. He's no Bubba Franks when it comes to bobbling a ball and then getting it on the second and third bobble, but you can't say its clean either. Lot of resets.

[rbaloha1]

Body catching also has advantages -- Freeman made a career from it.

Should the drop continue, I would trade Finley at season's end. The colleges are producing more Finley types and would draft one early.

[ThunderDan]

Body catching also has advantages -- Freeman made a career from it.

Should the drop continue, I would trade Finley at season's end. The colleges are producing more Finley types and would draft one early.

The only thing I can think of with body catches is that the ball hits a part of your equipment and recochets away.

Who are the best WRs of all time and how did they catch the ball?

[Guiness]

Body catching also has advantages -- Freeman made a career from it.

Should the drop continue, I would trade Finley at season's end. The colleges are producing more Finley types and would draft one early.

There are a lot of his bodytype coming out - we had one in this year's TC. Everyone looks for the next Antonio Gates. Problem is, not all converted basketball PF's can play football, as that guy showed.

[George Cumby]

I need to do some actual film study, but my instinct tells me almost everyone posting here is full of crap. The Packers offense works because there are too many guys to cover, and that the fourth or fifth receiver totally outmatches the opposition's fourth and fifth defensive back or LB. Finley has to be accounted for, and with Jennings out, is a top target, and a top concern for the defense. So, the Packers have to go to Jones and Cobb down the passing tree, and Finley gets less. Unfortunately, he's dropping too many passes, but that doesn't mean he's lost his advantage in size and speed matchups. Will be interesting to see how often he's doubled, how often he has a corner on him, and how often he's left in single coverage with a LB of Safety, because the latter two are the matchups that he's exploited over the years. Those matchups existed in part because the defense had two or three guys watching Jennings (see Rodger's interception against SF for example).

This would describe me.

[pbmax]

Body catching also has advantages -- Freeman made a career from it.

Should the drop continue, I would trade Finley at season's end. The colleges are producing more Finley types and would draft one early.

The only advantage come from when your arms are getting hit or pulled or you expect immediate contact and contesting of the catch and you would otherwise be unable to trap or stop the ball.

To do so regularly just adds item to the list of things the ball can bounce irregularly off. You can get away with it as Finley did for awhile, but its not helping. Freeman might have had fewer drops as well. Having a cast was a good excuse though.