Jermichael Finley As The Starter
by Brandon on Mar 2, 2010 3:00 PM CST
in Green Bay Packers News
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PrintThis 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.
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Lee on ST
One thing that Lee does bring is a knack for special teams. Was he not used as much on ST recently since he got the starting job? I would guess yes. Did the ST suffer because he wasn’t out there? I would again guess yes.
However, is using Lee more on special teams going to fix them? Obviously not.
"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker
Starting TE
This was a development that HAD to happen… Glad McCarthy made the announcement when he did. Gives Finley time to get his head ready for a starting role and all offseason to improve his blocking!!!
Finley will remain the same threat he is any time he is on the field. But getting him on the field in base offensive sets was the only way to increase his usage and take even more advantage of the mismatches he creates!! Imagine a base Defense trying to cover Finley w/ an ILB one on one on first down!!! Finley will abuse any coverage scheme for a base Defense… They would almost have to go immediately to a nickel defense even on first down… Now imagine GRant running vs nickel defenses ALL game long!!!
Its just a matter of putting your best players on the field as much as you can… Then taking advantage of the MANY mismatches that Finley will create!!! And there will be a TON of them all over the field!!!
Jermichael Finley did everything to earn the starting TE spot. But I haven't really seen Donald Lee since 2007...
Maybe his new ability is to be literally invisible when he’s running a route, so that neither the QB or the defenders can see him…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Mar 2, 2010 8:57 PM CST reply actions
He also has the ability
to drop passes in a single bound.
"You have no honor!" - McClung to Fukudome
Finley #1, Lee still a solid #2
Finley has the opportunity to be one of the top TE in the league. He can open the middle of field which will give Rodgers the chance to bomb it deep to jennings, which when it is 1-1 jennings has the advantage almost everytime. Lee is still a good #2 TE when he is in based on the packages, so if the D ignores him rodgers can toss it to him and it will be positive results as well
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