An insider's view of TT

[Patler]

I truly believe fans have more of a problem with Finley than anyone at 1265 and this is why I don't see him going anywhere else any time soon. If his teammates and coaches - who know him a hell of lot better than any of us do - like him I don't have an issue with him either.

I don't think it has much to do with liking him or not. With 60 players more or less there will always be many different personalities. To me it is primarily a question of performance versus cost. As of now, Finley has a very large cap impact, especially in comparison to others, a salary cap impact that hasn't been justified based on his performance the last few years. However, he did show signs of "breaking out" last year, although he will have to become truly elite to completely earn his pay this year.

That said, with Jennings most likely gone, and questions behind Finley at TE for 2013, I suspect they will bite the bullet and pay him for 2013. The big question will be if he earns a return engagement after this year.

[pbmax]

I sent this message to Wilde and Packer Report guy the other day. They were recounting the things fans might hold against Finley, surprised at the small bore nature of it and dancing around whether it was influenced by race but neither mentioned his shot at the QB for throwing the football to his wrong shoulder during his (I think) rookie season. It was not an encouraging start and he has kept tripping over that same line. Repeatedly.

But from the way the team and Rodgers react to him, its clear he earns their admiration at practice. Though I think Rodgers was good and fed up at one point this season. He had encouraged Finley to drop by his hotel room as other receivers did to talk about the game, game plan and other questions. Somewhere I read even after a re-invite this year, Finley didn't take advantage of it. Rodgers had given up (either because of or causing the agent outburst). Someone suggested he just push the matter directly (McCarthy?) and go get Finley and bring him along. For some reason, that worked and they met the rest of the season. And that precipitated Finley's best production since 2009/early '10.