Jermichael Decorean Finley, PhD, Chemistry, University of Texas - Green Bay

[Bossman641]

What's a little disconcerting to me is that MM had to go back to 2009 for those highlights. I wonder if Finley is still capable of what he could do prior to his knee injury in 2010. The problem isn't just dropped balls. To me even when Finley catches the ball, he doesn't look like the matchup nightmare he was for opponents in 2009-10.

Said the same thing a few weeks ago when I pulled up the 2009 highlights. He doesn't seem very fast nowadays.

[Fritz]

I said this last year before the season, when Finley explained how he attempted to lose weight and why he did so (even though he assumed the coaches wouldn't like it). I still believe this now. He does not have the mindset of a TE. He sees himself as a WR. Consequently, he is not playing big; he is not playing physical. Maybe the frequent injuries have taken away his feeling of "toughness", but he plays smaller than he is. There is no beast in his game anymore.

If he thinks he's a wide receiver then he should watch some Larry Fitzgerald highlights. That dude plays BIG.

[Smidgeon]

Said the same thing a few weeks ago when I pulled up the 2009 highlights. He doesn't seem very fast nowadays.

He never was that fast. He had exceptional body control and exceptional catching ability. He could locate the ball in the air and contort his body into a position where he could catch the ball. Andrew Quarless tested more athletic and faster than Finley, but nobody would say that Quarless had Finley's talent. I wonder what happened to Finley's ability to contort for the ball. Did his recovery remove his agility and flexibility?

[red]

There is no beast in his game anymore.

when was the last time we saw him do anything with the ball after he caught it? he seems to go down while making the catch or goes down as soon as he catches it.

you're right, there is no beast to him anymore. and its really concerning that he continues to start even though its clear as day that a-rod has lost all faith in him. crabtree (our blocking TE) has taken over running some of finleys deep routes and is actually making the plays

finley needs to be benched, its clear as can be to everyone but him and MM

[pbmax]

when was the last time we saw him do anything with the ball after he caught it? he seems to go down while making the catch or goes down as soon as he catches it.

you're right, there is no beast to him anymore. and its really concerning that he continues to start even though its clear as day that a-rod has lost all faith in him. crabtree (our blocking TE) has taken over running some of finleys deep routes and is actually making the plays

finley needs to be benched, its clear as can be to everyone but him and MM

There is an element to his game, especially when he was dominating in the 09 playoffs and prior to his injury in '10 that is no longer available to him. He was about the only Packer that Rodgers would throw a tossup to and Finley usually got it. He would simply elevate and get it as others have mentioned. But with his hands betraying him, he doesn't get those throws except perhaps in the endzone.

And Rodgers has started to throw some jump balls to Nelson and Jones deep along the sideline. So I think its a certainty that his opportunities have changed and that has changed his game. But it started with his hands.

[Bossman641]

He never was that fast. He had exceptional body control and exceptional catching ability. He could locate the ball in the air and contort his body into a position where he could catch the ball. Andrew Quarless tested more athletic and faster than Finley, but nobody would say that Quarless had Finley's talent. I wonder what happened to Finley's ability to contort for the ball. Did his recovery remove his agility and flexibility?

You're right he was never "that" fast but he looked a whole lot quicker than he does now. When's the last time you saw him make a guy miss?

[Teamcheez1]

My biggest issue with Finley is what we will be paying him next year after seeing his production through 9 games. Granted, he could take off and become a real weapon for the rest of this season.

He is due a $3.5M roster bonus in March, along with his $4.45M salary next year. Am I to believe we will keep him on the roster for $8M due to his potential? I haven't seen it yet this year, whether it's injuries, scheme, or whatever. That money could be used for long term contracts for proven talent (Rodgers, Matthews, Raji).

Only time will tell.

[Smidgeon]

You're right he was never "that" fast but he looked a whole lot quicker than he does now. When's the last time you saw him make a guy miss?

He makes Rodgers miss his throws all the time.

[gbgary]

fin done in Green Bay...

[RashanGary]

Well, the shit can Finley movement isn't looking nearly as retarded as it was in the last year or two.

[Bretsky]

Perhaps I'm the eternal optimist, but the dude still has a lot of talent.

The value he has..........he's not utilized that way anymore. He's most effective going downfield and stretching the seam. GB often has him chipping on a block and running a short route.
No doubt the dude is immature. Maybe, wrongfully, he's bored with how GB uses him.

But part of me says GB is not giving him the chances in their playcalling to play to his strengths

[red]

Perhaps I'm the eternal optimist, but the dude still has a lot of talent.

The value he has..........he's not utilized that way anymore. He's most effective going downfield and stretching the seam. GB often has him chipping on a block and running a short route.
No doubt the dude is immature. Maybe, wrongfully, he's bored with how GB uses him.

But part of me says GB is not giving him the chances in their playcalling to play to his strengths

maybe he should take advantage of the opportunities he gets now. if he did that, maybe he would have gotten more

and maybe its his half assing on the field that has derailed this offense this year

i say, i hope the door hits him square in the ass on the way out

[Freak Out]

Well....let's hope he responds well with he latest leak and he kicks some ass. He knows he better show something to potential suitors.

[Patler]

Perhaps I'm the eternal optimist, but the dude still has a lot of talent.

The value he has..........he's not utilized that way anymore. He's most effective going downfield and stretching the seam. GB often has him chipping on a block and running a short route.
No doubt the dude is immature. Maybe, wrongfully, he's bored with how GB uses him.

But part of me says GB is not giving him the chances in their playcalling to play to his strengths

His down field routes seemed to become much less frequent right after he ran a few routes quite poorly, one resulting in an interception when, per the coaches, he failed to get deep enough by a couple yards before cutting off the route, which put him in the wrong place for a pass released before he made his cut.

It's all a matter of trust. If the coaches and QB can't trust you to do what you are supposed to do, and be where you are supposed to be, they will simplify what they do with you, and use you in ways that are less and less significant so if (when) you screw up, it has less impact. I think that is where the Packers have gotten with Finley.

[mraynrand]

I hope the Packers can trade him, because the two most likely landing spots are Chicago and Minnesota. When motivated, this guy will kill defenses, and he'll certainly be motivated against the Packers.