Decision time on Finley fast approaching

[Patler]

I believe he has a roster bonus of $3M due 3/27.

If anything is to happen with him, like a new contract or trade, it is likely to occur before the bonus is locked in against the 2013 cap. I think the chance that they simply do not pay it and let him walk is less likely than a new deal or a trade. Most likely, they bite the bullet, pay him and hope he truly emerges this season.

[denverYooper]

I think you're quite likely correct here Patler. The radio silence on all sides is interesting given the historically garrulous nature of the client and agent.

[woodbuck27]

I believe he has a roster bonus of $3M due 3/27.

If anything is to happen with him, like a new contract or trade, it is likely to occur before the bonus is locked in against the 2013 cap. I think the chance that they simply do not pay it and let him walk is less likely than a new deal or a trade. Most likely, they bite the bullet, pay him and hope he truly emerges this season.

Sure..... just a $3 million$ bet on top of the rest of his CAP hit. One more year ... another look. What 'the heck'.

We're not talking peanuts with this player. Really, what have we seen to recommend this as a sound decision Patler?

[Patler]

I'm guessing that what the Packers would like to do the most is resign him and add 2 or 3 years after 2013. They could guarantee the roster bonus and/or pay a signing bonus to give him a little more immediate cash than the existing contract would give him, while at the same time lowering his cap hit this year and leveling out the cap hits for the next 3-4 years. I don't think they have a real good chance of doing this, because I'm not sure Finley would agree to the total value the Packers would be willing to pay.

As for just releasing him, I would give that a much greater probability if they were able to bring back Jennings. I think that is unlikely, so one way or another I expect they will keep Finley. If they do strike a deal with Jennings, letting Finley walk becomes a more likely scenario, in my opinion.

That pretty much leaves paying out the last year of his contract as the most likely.

[woodbuck27]

I'm guessing that what the Packers would like to do the most is resign him and add 2 or 3 years after 2013. They could guarantee the roster bonus and/or pay a signing bonus to give him a little more immediate cash than the existing contract would give him, while at the same time lowering his cap hit this year and leveling out the cap hits for the next 3-4 years. I don't think they have a real good chance of doing this, because I'm not sure Finley would agree to the total value the Packers would be willing to pay.

As for just releasing him, I would give that a much greater probability if they were able to bring back Jennings. I think that is unlikely, so one way or another I expect they will keep Finley. If they do strike a deal with Jennings, letting Finley walk becomes a more likely scenario, in my opinion.

That pretty much leaves paying out the last year of his contract as the most likely.

I believe that Greg Jennings will get paid more than we have expected; too much elsewhere. That Jermichael Finley isn't going anywhere this season.

It's all been pointing to just that.

[Fritz]

I love Jennings, but not at ten mill or nine mill or even eight mill, and not for anything longer than three years.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/18/for-finley-crabtrees-exit-helps-but-free-agency-market-hurts/

For Finley, Crabtree’s exit helps but free-agency market hurts

Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2013, 9:32 AM EDT


March 27th = Jermichael Finley's $4.45 million$ roster bonus day !!!

or NOT!?

$8.25 million in 2013.

[red]

we really don't need that cap space, we have more then enough to throw at a-rod, clay and raji if they want + sign our rookies

so unless TT decides to buy some free agents (not likely) or if he gets a trade offer for some picks he just can't refuse, i just don't see the need to dump finley

even though i really don't like him and think he's way overpaid

[pbmax]

They could still go to him if they want to dump as much cap hit into 2013 as they can. Bit tricky because I am pretty sure they won't know what they need yet, but you never know.

[Bretsky]

I'd go to him with an offer to restructure and Extend.
Finley thinks the world of himself; I'd give him a nice guarantee but also work some nice bonus incentives in there

[pbmax]

I'd go to him with an offer to restructure and Extend.
Finley thinks the world of himself; I'd give him a nice guarantee but also work some nice bonus incentives in there

I agree in principle, but considering that at the halfway point of last season the team was sending a rare signal through the press about dumping his keister on the street rather than pay him his bonus, wouldn't $8+ million be a cheaper bailout package for him than any new 2 or 3 year deal?

Speaking of which, who wants odds that his failure to meet with Rodgers early in the season prompted the story? Not sure if dates matchup, but eventually Rodgers had to go get him to go over questions before Game Day. I want the guy to turn it up to 11, but he hasn't done it for even one season yet.

[Patler]

I agree in principle, but considering that at the halfway point of last season the team was sending a rare signal through the press about dumping his keister on the street rather than pay him his bonus, wouldn't $8+ million be a cheaper bailout package for him than any new 2 or 3 year deal?

I was hoping they would do something when it looked as if they might sign Jennings and release Finley. With $8+M committed to him for this year in the cap & cash plans, but with actually receiving it being uncertain for Finley, I thought they had a lot of flexibility to do a 3-5 year deal with a sizable guarantee, but in a way that wouldn't cost them much more than this year and a bit more even if the released him after a year or two.

[Pugger]

I always figured they'd keep Finley for this last year of his contract and if he is still inconsistent then they'll either trade or more likely let him walk like they did with Jennings and take the comp pick.

[Joemailman]

Today is decision day on Finley http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/199883061.html

Packers have until 3 PM today to decide if they will pay Finley's 3M bonus.

[red]

its kinda odd that both sides would be so silent on the matter

you'd think if the team was gonna let him go, they would have done it by now. on the flip side, if they were going to keep him, why not say they were

and you'd also think if the finley camp had been told anything they would have already announced everything

just very odd imo