Packers Game Changing Moves: Jermichael Finley Is The Starter

by Brandon on Jun 21, 2010 8:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Analysis

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I doubt any fan of the Green Bay Packers is surprised that Mike McCarthy has already named TE Jermichael Finley as the starter for next season. At first I was a bit hesitant about the move. If Finley was in a position where he had to do more blocking, something he didn't do too much of last season, it might wear him down. On second thought, if the offense is going to improve next season then the first thing they should do is get Finley on the field as much as possible. Who else is going to improve next season to help out QB Aaron Rodgers?

RB Ryan Grant remains the starter and you know what to expect from him. He can run the ball, but he's not great at everything else. RB Brandon Jackson has more upside, but he's got no chance of moving ahead of Grant before the start of the season. While they are a good tandem, they aren't going to provide anything more in 2010 then they did last season.

The offensive line will pass block better next season then they did at the beginning of 2009. But it's likely to feature the same five or six guys that have been starting over the past couple seasons. LT Bryan Bulaga is the future, but he seems unlikely to start in 2010 since he's playing strictly at left tackle and LT Chad Clifton has just been re-signed for the next three seasons. There's not a lot of upside here for 2010.

WR Greg Jennings and WR Donald Driver are a good-to-great solid starting two, but I'm not expecting anything more from them that they haven't provided over the past three seasons. Maybe WR Jordy Nelson can provide a spark to the receiving core, but he still has to move ahead of WR James Jones who was awful last season according to Pro Football Focus.

The obvious player who already has been moved into the starting lineup and has an obvious high ceiling is Finley. He was already great in 2009 and ranked No. 6 overall among TEs by Advanced NFL Stats and Football Outsiders. According to Pro Fooball Focus, he was only the 12th best because they took into account his awful run blocking. As good as he played, he could play better because his 6'5" frame remains tough for cornerbacks to match up with, and he can run away from linebackers. When the Packers line him up wide, it can help a wide receiver find a favorable matchup too. Potentially he could make himself better, and his teammates better.

If the Packers have a break out player on offense next season, it looks like Finley is the most likely candidate, and the move into the starting lineup was the change that could make it possible.

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Comments

recievers

2 of the players who I expect to take a major step forward are recievers. Finley is an obvious answer… He took a huge step forward last year and will continue that progress this season! I expect a 80 rec 1000 yd 10 TD season from him this year!!!

The other is Jordy Nelson! You have to look at the history of WR… They generally take a couple years to make their mark. Nelson has the size and strength to be a big time target for Rodgers! Most of the really good WR really breakout in their 3rd season… It usually takes that time to learn to run really good, precise routes! I have heard that Nelson really stood out and made a lot of plays in the OTA’s. If he continues that trend I could see him steping up and becoming the WR to take Drivers spot next year! Nelson has the attributes of an excellent WR. Size, more than adequate speed, great hands and if he has learned to run great routes he is going to take off!!!

by Strohman on Jun 21, 2010 10:53 AM CDT reply actions

I think...

Your 80-1000-10 expectation is a little too high. 65-850-7 is more likely i think,

I’d love it if he does pull it off though.

by dchoubak on Jun 21, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Although I like James Jones, Jordy Nelson provides far more upside then Jones with the combination of size and speed that he has.

I’d like to add that I expect CB Tramon Williams to take another step in his progression. He was ok last year, slightly worse then in 2008, but better than average. I think another year in the system will help him. On top of that, Tramon is in his contract year, so you know he will work twice as hard to improve and earn his long term extension.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Jun 21, 2010 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

agreed

I must agree with the previous statement about the WR situation. With Bulaga though I see him getting a bit more activity then people are projecting, I like Chad and all but he has been injury prone as of late and missed a good deal of last year with knee and back issues so I really feel that with all that Bulaga may in fact be used more than expected and he had better come ready to play cause we are gonna need him.

DREB

by Packer-fan-atic77 on Jun 21, 2010 12:17 PM CDT reply actions

I actually think Jennings can be much better this season, and I hope he is. He started off really slow early last year but came on strong towards the end of the year. Hopefully he can continue that good play into this season. He shows flashes of being an elite WR, and if he can be more consistent, it won’t really matter if no one else steps up. Like we saw in the Wildcard game. Finley and Jennings can be a deadly duo.

I do think Nelson will improve though. To me, he seems like a Bill Schroeder clone, and seems like a target that Rodgers like. Big, strong, and deceptively fast. I think his numbers are going to improve quite a bit this season.

by packallday555 on Jun 21, 2010 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

YES!

Is Donald Lee going to be released if Quarless makes the team?

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 21, 2010 6:35 PM CDT reply actions

I'd be surprised

While it’s common practice to release players mid-contract, the Packers never release veterans in the middle of a contract. GM Ted Thompson released FS Darren Sharper while he was still under contract, but that was back in 2006. Though I don’t think it’s crazy both Lee and Quarless stay because they could go with only one fullback (FB and TEs are sort of interchangeable in McCarthy’s offense). I still think it’s a longshot that Quarless sticks.

by Brandon on Jun 21, 2010 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions

at first

At first I didn’t see any way for Quarless not to make it. But it sounds like he’s having trouble catching the ball and adapting in the OTA’s. I wasn’t expecting him to produce much, but thought he would make the 53 squad. Right now, that may not be the case unless he improves in training camp. I think mostly his head is swimming and he’s having to think too much, but he needs to start performing better… If not the 53 roster, hopefully he can get stuck on the practice squad!!! Still a long way before that decision is made though.

Also don’t see the Packers keeping only 1 FB!

by Strohman on Jun 21, 2010 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Havner and Kuhn?

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 22, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

So you think Havner can play FB too? Is that what your saying? What you gonna do w/ Quinn Johnson? Thats also assuming that Kuhn wins the job over Hall?

by Strohman on Jun 22, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

No, that's not what I'm saying. Havner can line up anywhere. And I had forgotten completely about Corey Hall.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 22, 2010 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

example

instead of typing all that unnecessary verbage,a little condencending as it is, try this——-

“you can’t forget about quinn and hall, there in the mix as well”

this doesn’t sound like a know-it-all statement.
i’m just trying to help——-nothing personal.

by hermitcrab on Jun 22, 2010 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Are you seriously venting cuz I posted 4 questions instead of one… Get a life!

Is that short enough?!

by Strohman on Jun 22, 2010 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions

a lot less verbage

well done——too bad ones writing style is a direct correlation of one’s personality. i bet your’re a blast to be around during the holidays.

“it’s christmas today stroh”

“no it’s not, it’s tomorrow johnny. now go get me a chicken pot pie”

FINI

by hermitcrab on Jun 22, 2010 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions

style

everyone has their own writing/communication style… On here I tend to say more than the bare minimum, to make my point!

Apparently you use the bare minimum… To each his own!!!

by Strohman on Jun 22, 2010 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Since we are all being asses…its “they’re”, not there! hahaha

I agree with you though, that probably would have come off a little less jerky if he said it that way but I guess that is stroh for ya! We all have our moments, right?

by TrevorR on Jun 23, 2010 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Good God man!

You’re the biggest prick on this site! Who points out stuff like that?!

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Jun 23, 2010 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Like I said, if everyone else is being an ass why not join in the fun.

by TrevorR on Jun 25, 2010 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm pulling

for Jordy to break out this yr. SOMEBODY better step up big time with the D backs.

by bigbill992001 on Jun 21, 2010 7:56 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with Packer-fan-atic77

Bryan Bulaga is the future, but he seems unlikely to start in 2010 since he’s playing strictly at left tackle and LT Chad Clifton has just been re-signed for the next three seasons.

I wouldn’t bet on Cliff starting all 16 games in a season, ever again.
Bulaga will play.

-
The glass is more than half-full.

by NorthStarr on Jun 21, 2010 11:32 PM CDT reply actions