Serious discussion please - What do you do with Finley

[Kiwon]

Finley, A-Rod, TT and MM have all been together during Finley's five years. If the Packers don't know how to talk sense into him by now they never will.

Finley's agent has already shown he is not a positive influence. You can't count on him. First, his agent criticizes A-Rod and then weeks afterward, Finley chimes in as well over a lack of chemistry. A-Rod is a MVP and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone, teammate or his agent.

Randy Moss had all kinds of talent too......if you got it out of him. Most teams weren't willing to try. Too much risk, not enough reward.

If the Houston game was really the turning point of the season and the Packers get rolling, you have to protect the whole locker room chemistry, not just the chemistry between two players. You don't need a sour puss to sow division and that's what is likely to happen at the egging on of the media. They don't care. They will create the news just as easily as reporting it.

The NFL is a business, and Finley is paid a lot of money to produce. I think TT needs to give him an ultimatum, especially since he is under contract through next year. The problem needs to end NOW because the team will not tolerate pointless drama.

Yeah, give him another chance, but if he doesn't want to be quiet and give full effort, then trade him to an AFC team and get the best deal possible.

[Upnorth]

As mentioned above, I think his confidence is shot. My plan would be sit him down in your office, talk to him about his greatness and how to tap that, how if he can he could be one of the greats, then tell him you have a guest to speak with him. Open the door, step out and let Shannon Sharpe talk to him about keeping your head in the game when there is lots of pressure and how to rise about it.
Don't know if he is the type to appreciate history, but I think it would send a message of confidence the team has in him and what he is capable of.
This might also be a pointless gesture, as some people think motivational meetings are cheesy.

[Patler]

Long term, I think he is gone now. The money seems like it could be better spent elsewhere.

Decision time for that will come in the next off season, most likely. He is due something like $8 million for 2013. They will have to feel very sure he will get out of his funk to spend that kind of money on him.

Long term, it is not just the drops they will be concerned with. His injury history is not the best either.

[Zool]

It's tough to let go of a guy with such immense talent, but eventually you might have to bite that bullet. His brain just isn't playing well with the rest of his body. His flashes have him basically unstoppable. His lulls have him below Crabtree on every depth chart imaginable.

I'd ride out the season and see how it ends. Cut bait if he doesn't turn it around.

[run pMc]

I think Bob McGinn made a comment in last season's review where he wondered if Finley needed Lasik surgery or had something undiagnosed with how he's dropping the ball. He used to be much more dependable. Someone posted highlights in another thread; he seemed to be more open (often had a LB or S single covering him), so he's either slowed down, getting more defensive attention, or his routes suck.
If he's drawing more attention, you'd think that would help open things up for someone else.
Drops aside, only the coaches really know what he's supposed to be doing and whether he's doing it right. I'm guessing M3 has a good idea of what's going on and trying to get the best out of him. The problem is likely between the ears and many have commented on that so I won't.
He's not a cancer. He's the most talented TE on the roster. Like many players he's dinged up at the moment.
Unless he becomes more dependable, I don't see how they keep him past his contract...not at his current salary anyway.
GB got by with Quarless and with Williams/Crabtree/Taylor probably could, but I wouldn't call that a "special" group.
I think losing both Jennings and Finley would be tough for the offense and TT will need to find capable quick-study replacements in the draft.

[mraynrand]

His lulls have him below Crabtree on every depth chart imaginable.

I suppose every TEs lulls have them below crabtree, but if you're looking at offensive skills, there's no comparison there. Overall, Crabtree is performing better because of special teams and blocking. But as a TE in the passing game, Crabby is JAG.

[mraynrand]

Long term, it is not just the drops they will be concerned with. His injury history is not the best either.

Injury Prone!

[Zool]

I suppose every TEs lulls have them below crabtree, but if you're looking at offensive skills, there's no comparison there. Overall, Crabtree is performing better because of special teams and blocking. But as a TE in the passing game, Crabby is JAG.

A JAG who catches the ball when it's thrown to him. He's a solid blocker and gets open occasionally. I realize its a bit of a stretch, but I have 0 confidence that Finley is going to catch a ball thrown his way. It looks like JMike has about the same confidence.

[denverYooper]

James Jones is starting to take over some of the Finley role right now, in the passing game anyhow. I think he's the one who is taking targets from Finley.

He might even be a better blocker...

It'll be interesting to see if they get Quarless involved more when he gets back, but I think they'll just scale back Finley's role in the passing game for now without necessarily focusing on other TEs. Maybe they just need to scale him back some and let him earn his opportunities back.

[mraynrand]

A JAG who catches the ball when it's thrown to him. He's a solid blocker and gets open occasionally. I realize its a bit of a stretch, but I have 0 confidence that Finley is going to catch a ball thrown his way. It looks like JMike has about the same confidence.

zero? really. Can I see the statistics on your confidence meter?

Ed West caught the ball and blocked too

[run pMc]

So I answered the 1st question in a stream of consciousness way.

Can you continue to throw to him in critical situations?

Yes. He has value even as a diversion, but if you don't show him confidence he won't clear whatever mental block he's got and be a very expensive benchwarmer.

Can you continue to throw to him on third down in a close game?

Yes, but I'd rather throw it to Cobb. He's a more dynamic player. If we're just talking about TE's, I think D.J. Williams is worth a look.

Do you use his injury as an excuse to sit him down a couple weeks?

For a week? Yes. For 2? Probably not. He'll play hurt but I think his blocking suffers. If Williams is healthy I'd plug him and Crabtree in.

[Teamcheez1]

We have 10 more games to evaluate Finley's performance this year. We should have a much clearer picture by the end of the season. I don't think it' worth speculating at this point in time. MM will put the players on the field that will win games, regardless of their contract situation or future.

[Zool]

zero? really. Can I see the statistics on your confidence meter?

Ed West caught the ball and blocked too

You will of course excuse my exaggeration on an internet forum.

[Patler]

I suppose every TEs lulls have them below crabtree, but if you're looking at offensive skills, there's no comparison there. Overall, Crabtree is performing better because of special teams and blocking. But as a TE in the passing game, Crabby is JAG.

In terms of actual performance (not potential), is Finley more than JAG this year?

In my opinion, his actual performance this year on a whole has not been better than any other TE. I think it is time for a shake-up. He's a fifth year pro, albeit a younger one. Nevertheless, I would start giving Williams (when healthy) some of the plays that would normally go to Finley. If Finley doesn't respond positively, I would give Williams even more.

[George Cumby]

The NFL is a performance/results based business, is it not?

Is Finley performing up to the standards set by his contract? IMO, no.

Is Finley a legitimate threat that opposing defensive coordinators have to account for? IMO, no.

Is Finley a reliable target? IMO, no.

Does Finley have a huge amount of talent? Obviously.

I think the staff has to seriously consider decreasing his reps, perhaps even benching him (provided a serviceable replacement is available), until he can get his head (or eyes) right.

Because, it's all a head-space issue with the poor kid, for whatever reason, he just can't hold onto the ball.

At this point though, he is so suspect, I am amazed that ARod even throws him the ball.