This was first announced over the weekend, but Mike McCarthy made it clear that TE Jermichael Finley will be the starter next season. Bob McGinn runs down the snap count totals from 2009:
During the regular season, Finley played 511 snaps, or 39.3 per game. Lee played 727 snaps, an average of 45.4.
But I'm not sure this is a good thing. Finley is a dangerous receiver, but I had been wondering if he shouldn't be the No. 3 wide receiver. He was dangerous when he stood up in the slot, and he often lined up wide like a receiver. I don't recall him blocking a lot last season. When the Packers wanted an extra blocker for a short yardage situation, they often brought in a 2nd fullback.
TE Donald Lee effectively split the snaps with Finley last season. Maybe it would be better to keep Lee in for blocking situations and Finley in on passing downs to reduce Finley's wear-and-tear. Though it's possible even TE Spencer Havner moved ahead of Lee last season. Lee is scheduled to earn around $2 million in 2010, and that's looking like a lot for a potential No. 3 tight end.