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

By: publicteamforever

publicteamforever — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:28:19 +0000

Packers need to get Finley involved early in the game for him to reach his receiving potential. I hope he stays and continues to improve on numbers from the second half of 2012, when he seemed to have more acceptance of the team concept, and he was trusted more.

He could be the a future key guy who can demand that money, but I’m concerned that the Pack still needs to free up money for the other 3 key guys now. Would getting the others done quickly make these decisions easier for mgmt?

By: filthymcnasty1

filthymcnasty1 — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:12:26 +0000

For perspective, Finley had significantly more yards receiving than any TE or WR currently on the Vikings roster – including their recent free agent reach. Even though he’s making less money than Jennings, he can legitimately be considered overpaid because the Packers have much loftier standards than the Vikings.

By: shavager

shavager — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:13:19 +0000

Personally, I think the Packers would be dollars to the better to trade him if possible, target Jordan Reed in the draft as a replacement–he’s a playmaker, has far better hands than Finley and would be a lot cheaper. They’re not likely to land either of top two TE’s in draft but they will get an opportunity for Reed. Finley’s been in town 5 years folks–you’ve seen the best he’s got and his hands are his biggest fault–size and speed don’t help a bit if you’re constantly dropping passes–can you really say Rodgers DID NOT avoid going to Finley earlier in season after some critical drops? I know of at least 3 TD passes he dropped–two were uncontested by defenders–Finley just dropped clear TD passes and we’re NOT talking about passes he just got a hand on.

By: stellarperformance

stellarperformance — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:19:59 +0000

I think the Packers should simply pretend that they recently found Finley in the FA market, overpaid like everybody else, and have their fingers crossed that he will actually deliver…..like all free agents. Nobody will complain about the big coin he has coming if he actually plays like a top-three TE.

By: gtodriver

gtodriver — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:08:19 +0000

tsi431 says:

“Jenning’s was not the best receiver on the Packers. Not the last 2 years for sure.

Jordy Nelson and James Jones both had much better seasons. Both cost much less as well.”

I don’t want to debate how good Jennings is vs. Nelson/Jones/Cobb.

Jennings missed playing time the last 2 seasons – if he doesn’t going forward – is he a better WR?

I agree that today, Nelson/Jones/Cobb are lower priced than Jennings is. All 3 signed their current contracts in 2011 – when they were far from established as NFL WR’s.

Jones best season prior to his current deal – 50 catches for 679 yards and in 4 years had a total of 17 starts.

Nelson’s best season prior to his current deal – 45 catches for 582 yards and 6 total career starts.

And of course, Cobb is still on his rookie deal…

But Jones is a FA after this season, and both Nelson and Cobb will be FA’s the next year. Both Jones and Nelson will be around 29/30 when their new deals come up – the same age as Jennings.

Those players are bargains today. But in the very near future all three will either need to be paid or they will be gone.

By: judsonjr

judsonjr — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:05:07 +0000

If they keep him one more year they will probably get a decent compensatory pick for him.

They are not hard up for cap space so there is 0 reason to cut him.

As far as Crabtree, it’s not like the Bucs offer was that much better. Yes it was for 2 years, but it’s not like that’s guaranteed. Basically he could have signed with GB for 700k and been reasonably sure he would be on the team come week 1.

In Tampa he has a shot to compete for a starting job and about 100K more a year. So there is more upside, but there is also more of a chance that he could just get cut if they don’t like what they see, or have some other guys step up.

By: vincelombardisghost

vincelombardisghost — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:35:55 +0000

Finley is worth another year based on his production the last half season in ’12.

By: gbmickey

gbmickey — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:55:00 +0000

Crabtree staying or leaving had/has absolutely no bearing on Finley. Crabtree was nothing more than a token blocker and special teams guy. He was never going to push for more involvement in the offense.

As far as McGinn while I respect him he boxed himself in with his comments during the season that the Packers were definately going to part ways with Finley. Now he is trying to save face. If you listened to McCarthey after the season Finley is going nowhere. Specially now that Jennings is gone. There is no way they can afford to lose to receivers in the offseason.

By: granadafan

granadafan — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:20:52 +0000

It was frustrating to read about Finley and his agent throwing Rodgers under the bus for not getting him the ball. It was even more frustrating to watch perfectly thrown balls hit Finley in the hands in stride or between the numbers and watch the ball bounce off him. No wonder Rodgers didn’t trust him.

By: gregm5s7

gregm5s7 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:09:51 +0000

I think Finley has matured more over the last year and a half. His loudmouth ways may rub some people the wrong way, but he’s a competitor and may bring a little extra fire to the offense the way Jerel Worthy has to the defense.

People seem to forget how good Finley was pre-injury. That’s when they started coining the phrase “throwing him open”. He had some rediculous catches, and very tough to bring down. He hurt himself diving for a Donald Lee fumbe. I think his road to recovery is more typical and challenging than someone like Peterson. I think it has effected his concentration, but he has shown enough the last half of the season to keep him around, plus he’s only turning 26 next week.

His salary is a little high but still has plenty of potential to have a big impact on the ’13-’14 season

By: gamds

gamds — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:54:04 +0000

What I do not understand is why when a player asks for more money before his contract has ended he is told to “live up to what he signed for”, but when a team wants to reduce a SIGNED contract, it is all right. As long as owners feel they can just backload a contract and then cut the player when they are older, the integrity of a signed contract is no longer valid. My car is 3 years older than when I bought it, but I am not going to stop paying for it.

By: mvp43

mvp43 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:18:14 +0000

imjinbrdgr says:
Mar 18, 2013 9:58 AM
The Packers didn’t want Crabby at all! They offered him squat and failed to even try to match TB. IMO, one of the few bad moves by Ted Thompson.

——————————————–

This post is exactly why Ted Thompson has been successful. Stupid fans get caught up in nicknames more than they do production. Fact is, (crabby) might be a great guy with a great nickname and is a great read on twitter, but in reality he’s a back up tight end that blocks well and plays special teams. That’s it……. if you’re honest with yourself, his value has more to do with his tweets and tatoos than it does his role on the football field.

By: milkcan44

milkcan44 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:16:03 +0000

Pack should keep Finley and challenge him to be what he could be. There are always injuries in the receiving corps and the more weapons, the better.

By: johngaltwho

johngaltwho — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:10:52 +0000

The problem with assessing comparative values for Packer receivers is that Rodgers makes guys look good. His timing and accuracy are off the charts and he throws receivers open. He takes the sack before throwing the low percentage pass and manages the game as well as anyone. He does all that with a mediocre offensive line, a less than stellar running game, and a head coach that wants to run the ball despite a 2.5 yards per carry average. If the Packers upgrade the offensive line +/- a running back, the offense will be fine, with or without Jennings, with or without Finley.

By: munny10

munny10 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:04:49 +0000

FA were cheap this year and TT still didn’t do anything to help a Defense that gave up over 500 yards to the 9ers. As we saw with perry and worthy, rookies don’t just jump in and contribute at a high level. Lot of teams picking up talent at low-dollar 1 year options which is a low risk proposal.

By: Packernet

Packernet — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:02:06 +0000

All Finley did last year was set the Packers’ record for tight end receptions and didn’t have a drop the second half of the season. Good luck finding anybody of his caliber anywhere else. He’s still only 25, way too early to give up on him.

By: tsi431

tsi431 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:51:21 +0000

Jenning’s was not the best receiver on the Packers. Not the last 2 years for sure.

Jordy Nelson and James Jones both had much better seasons. Both cost much less as well.

By: kev86

kev86 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:47:43 +0000

Sign Brandon Myers before the Giants do.

By: thejuddstir

thejuddstir — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:41:13 +0000

The Packers have been paying Finley for his “potential” ever since he entered the league, I would think he owes the Packers and should be willing to play the year for free as he’s never got close to his “potential.”

By: purplepunisher

purplepunisher — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:31:07 +0000

Teddy is such a guru. Lose your best receiver in Jennings to the Vikes and then pay Finley more then they offered Jennings.

Not only is the team soft, the management is soft.

By: majikwen

majikwen — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:30:22 +0000

bye bye finley, if you think your worth 8 million turn down the reduction and go to free agency…. ..maybe you are, erik walden signed for 4 mil ……there are stupid team GM’s in this league.

By: srock68

srock68 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:25:28 +0000

He will be cut. Case closed.

By: roadbiscuit

roadbiscuit — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:22:34 +0000

Finley and Crabtree are anything but plug ‘n’ play. Jennings leaving may be a factor in keeping Finley, but losing Crabtree isn’t.

By: fruitcovejag

fruitcovejag — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:18:23 +0000

Should have cut Finley and signed Dustin Keller. In fact, I wish my Jags would have cut Marcedes “Two left hands” Lewis and signed Keller!

By: ajb3313

ajb3313 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:16:50 +0000

Didn’t Jared Cook sort of set the market for Jermichael Finley though? I mean, they’re basically the same player, though Finley’s been significantly more productive. I feel like a team like the Browns would be happy to give Finley what the Rams gave Cook and, likewise, I think Finley would be happy to take it.

By: taintedsaints2009

taintedsaints2009 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:13:40 +0000

His production does not warrant that kind of money

By: crownofthehelmet

crownofthehelmet — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:11:40 +0000

The bad FA market hasn’t hurt him as much as his whining, complaining ways. That approach may work for his QB, but not a tight end with the drops.

By: metrocritical

metrocritical — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:08:26 +0000

Supreme talent and humility is a rare and welcome find in pro sports. Great skills and a loud mouth will usually mean job security, too. Marginal ability with a great attitude can still be good for team chemistry and translate to some longevity in the league. Finley’s plight, however, is a prime example of how slippery fingers and loose lips is the worst combo when one is potentially going into free agency.

By: anarchopurplism

anarchopurplism — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:06:53 +0000

I seriously hope they resign him for the sole amusement of watching him celebrate a routine catch after a couple key drops

He is the one player even Packer fans can’t stand.

By: metrocritical

metrocritical — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:05:44 +0000