Jermichael Finley: What might the Green Bay Packers do?

[Fritz]

Maybe he'll try to get his agent to negotiate which routes he'll be required to run.

[pbmax]

Maybe he'll try to get his agent to negotiate which routes he'll be required to run.

In Camp Finley, that is called being in sync with the QB.

In Camp Jennings, any route translates to "I'M OPEN!"

[Fritz]

Seahawks showing interest?

[Smeefers]

I'd keep Finley for the high end of an average TE's salary. Any more than that and I'd think he's over valued. Any less than that and we get a steal. He's got loads of potential and the talent is in there, it's just his consistancy that sucks. If you get him involved early and he makes his catches, he seems to stay involved all game. If he doesn't get a pass until the third Q, he just doesn't seem to have the same flavor.

[smuggler]

I'd say 1 year $4.5 mil.

[Fritz]

I don't know what to think about that guy, except I think maybe he's damaged goods now, like Ferguson was after he got smashed in the head.

[Joemailman]

I don't know what to think about that guy, except I think maybe he's damaged goods now, like Ferguson was after he got smashed in the head.

I've wondered about the same thing. He got knocked out of 2 games with a head injury and a neck injury. Plus, I don't think he's been the same player he was before his knee injury in 2010. If the Packers sign Finley, I think a lot of people will have expectations that are too high.

[pbmax]

Let me put it this way: I would rather have Raji back on a one year deal than Finley. Like KGB, its not going to get better with him, he will be what he has been. Unless he is extremely cheap, time for new blood.

Raji might turn it back on.

[mraynrand]

I don't know what to think about that guy, except I think maybe he's damaged goods now, like Ferguson was after he got smashed in the head.

I don't recall him getting smashed in the head in rookie training camp. Perhaps I got smashed in the head too.

[Patler]

Raji might turn it back on.

I've been trying to think of a d-lineman who went through a multi-year decline, yet was able to turn it back on. I'm not saying there aren't good examples, but I can't think of one. I kept waiting for KGB to do it, he didn't. Cletidus Hunt, no. Even Aaron Kampman's decline was steady and not reversed, although both injuries and a position change entered into his inability to turn it back on.

Can't think of anyone outside of the Packers either. When the big guys lose it, it seems to be gone.

[Joemailman]

I've been trying to think of a d-lineman who went through a multi-year decline, yet was able to turn it back on. I'm not saying there aren't good examples, but I can't think of one. I kept waiting for KGB to do it, he didn't. Cletidus Hunt, no. Even Aaron Kampman's decline was steady and not reversed, although both injuries and a position change entered into his inability to turn it back on.

Can't think of anyone outside of the Packers either. When the big guys lose it, it seems to be gone.

Santana Dotson. After being DROY in 1992, his career declined until the Packers signed him.

[pbmax]

I've been trying to think of a d-lineman who went through a multi-year decline, yet was able to turn it back on. I'm not saying there aren't good examples, but I can't think of one. I kept waiting for KGB to do it, he didn't. Cletidus Hunt, no. Even Aaron Kampman's decline was steady and not reversed, although both injuries and a position change entered into his inability to turn it back on.

Can't think of anyone outside of the Packers either. When the big guys lose it, it seems to be gone.

Its possible that is the case. And frankly, film of him struggling to get off single-blocking this year tends to make lean in your assessment's direction.

But we do know fair to good big D lineman have kept their peak after they begin to age, similar to Pickett and Red Bryant (and Pickett was not universally loved by the Rams after his rookie deal). For 2 years, Raji was at that level and he has shown flashes of it as recently as the 2012 playoffs and a few early plays this year. I think there is a chance, through position change, attitude and the presence of Pickett necessitating a position change twice that he is better than he showed. I know its a thin margin to bet on.

I do think his best talent coming into the League was his burst off the line, I have long thought wist was right on this, that he was a talent misplaced on the Packers to some degree. But its not the only attribute he brings to the table. I think he could become a different, more rounded player. And the humbling he is probably going to receive might be enough to catalyze it.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Its possible that is the case. And frankly, film of him struggling to get off single-blocking this year tends to make lean in your assessment's direction.

But we do know fair to good big D lineman have kept their peak after they begin to age, similar to Pickett and Red Bryant (and Pickett was not universally loved by the Rams after his rookie deal). For 2 years, Raji was at that level and he has shown flashes of it as recently as the 2012 playoffs and a few early plays this year. I think there is a chance, through position change, attitude and the presence of Pickett necessitating a position change twice that he is better than he showed. I know its a thin margin to bet on.

I do think his best talent coming into the League was his burst off the line, I have long thought wist was right on this, that he was a talent misplaced on the Packers to some degree. But its not the only attribute he brings to the table. I think he could become a different, more rounded player. And the humbling he is probably going to receive might be enough to catalyze it.

Agreed. Exactly how I feel about Raji. I think his problem is more to do with lack of motivation than erosion of talent.

[Patler]

Santana Dotson. After being DROY in 1992, his career declined until the Packers signed him.

Granted, he did have a monster rookie year, but I think was just as good the next few years in TB as later in GB. He was getting a lot of sacks in TB, about the same as what he later had with the Packers (5/year or so), but for some reason wasn't a consistent stater in TB.

[Patler]

Its possible that is the case. And frankly, film of him struggling to get off single-blocking this year tends to make lean in your assessment's direction.

But we do know fair to good big D lineman have kept their peak after they begin to age, similar to Pickett and Red Bryant (and Pickett was not universally loved by the Rams after his rookie deal). For 2 years, Raji was at that level and he has shown flashes of it as recently as the 2012 playoffs and a few early plays this year. I think there is a chance, through position change, attitude and the presence of Pickett necessitating a position change twice that he is better than he showed. I know its a thin margin to bet on.

I do think his best talent coming into the League was his burst off the line, I have long thought wist was right on this, that he was a talent misplaced on the Packers to some degree. But its not the only attribute he brings to the table. I think he could become a different, more rounded player. And the humbling he is probably going to receive might be enough to catalyze it.

You could be right. I just see a difference with guys like Dotson, Pickett, Bryant, etc. who are good players but become more reliable (smarter?) with age; and a guy like Raji who went from good (or better) to completely nonproductive. Somehow, there almost seems to be a pride factor missing in Raji's play the last couple years. That isn't so easy to turn back on.