Serious discussion please - What do you do with Finley

[mraynrand]

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

I think we've outlawed exaggeration here - along with Kennedy snuff films.

[George Cumby]

I think we've outlawed exaggeration here - along with Kennedy snuff films.

Can we please just let that slip into oblivion?

[mraynrand]

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

I believe I gave even crabby the overall nod in total performance. Finley is still better than Crabby as a TE. Up until last night's game, Finley was about equal in receptions to the other three top receivers - Nelson, Jones, Cobb. So yes, Finley is more than JAG - because he's close to Nelson, Jones, and Cobb. I don't know what to make of last night's game. Finley injury or gameplanning reduced his role. A drop and an offensive PI by themselves are not too terrible factoring in the injury. Nelson dropped a pass too. [Hyperbole]With his history and piling on, I suppose it's getting much worse. Pretty soon, people will booing him like Buckley, I suppose[/hyperbole]

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.

McCarthy has an interesting challenge if he goes that direction. Does he help correct the problem, or make it worse? Does he make him more of a head case by cutting his reps, or get him fired up and focused? Or, is Finley unsalvageable at this point and you just have to cut your losses. Hard to know. Will we be watching Finley do sit ups during interviews?

[George Cumby]

Fin may be a little bit of a show-boat, but he is no TO.

[LEWCWA]

Just let him play his game. The rec. on this team drop balls, Jordy drops the ball, Jones drops the ball, Cobb had a drop, DD has had problems with easy drops. Just get him some easy targets, get his confidence right and reap the benefits. Right now they just can't run the O, inside out. They have to run it outside in. Get Fin his 5-6 targets a game and build his confidence.

[smuggler]

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...

I don't think that anyone in the world would argue that Finley is a better blocker than Jones.

[MadScientist]

If DJ Williams is healthy, I'd sit Finley for a week to let him rest his shoulder and maybe clear his mind. Otherwise I'd try to simplify things for Finely, so he has a lot less to think about. Stop splitting him wide so much and make him get the TE job down pat. Give him fewer routes to run and make him run them with precision over and over in practice. Use him more in down field blocking. In last nights game on that crossing pattern that was dropped (by Nelson or Cobb) that should have been a TD, Finley had not 1 but 2 defensive players blocked, clearing the way for the primary target. He should be able to do some of that on screens as well.

In short, break things down and start from scratch on Finely. Then build up from a working foundation and maybe they Packers will have a good player by the end of the season and into next year.

[sharpe1027]

Nelson was the one that dropped the pass while Finley was blocking for him.

[MadtownPacker]

Fin may be a little bit of a show-boat, but he is no TO.

Youre right! TO would actually catch the ball and make plays in his heyday, along with the diva act.

He actually gave teams a reason to put up with his garbage unlike Hermichael.

[pbmax]

I don't think that anyone in the world would argue that Finley is a better blocker than Jones.

Jones is fine out wide on a DB or crashing a LB on a crack back or similar and Finley actually whiffs a lot more when he is outside. But Finley has become decent in-line even having to tie up Des. He's not Chmura, but he's closer to Crabtree and Quarless than many might think.

[smuggler]

Since Finley gets split out so often, I forget they actually ask him to block DL on the occasion. He's pretty good with a chip block, but against DB, I'd take my chances with Jones.

[Cheesehead Craig]

One way to send a message to him is to ask him to block more often on the plays he is in and have the other TEs go out on routes. Maybe a bit of grunt work for a game or two may help.

[denverYooper]

One way to send a message to him is to ask him to block more often on the plays he is in and have the other TEs go out on routes. Maybe a bit of grunt work for a game or two may help.

Maybe tell him he is Cinderella and he needs to scrub the floor for his ugly stepsisters.

[George Cumby]

Crazy thing is, I remember seeing him de-cleating some LB or DE in his rook/2nd year. It wasn't some scrub, either.

[rbaloha1]

Confidence is the issue.

Keep running him deep until A-rod connects.