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What Will The Final Three Games Hold In Store For Jermichael Finley?

There hasn't been any earth shattering news for the Green Bay Packers to change my original preview of their game against the Chiefs. But an interesting point was brought up in another game preview. From the Press-Gazette:

Tight end Jermichael Finley figures to become the focus of the passing game, and rookie Randall Cobb should get his share of snaps as the slot receiver. The Packers will miss Jennings’ playmaking, but Finley and Cobb have the best chance to compensate for it.

When I discussed the upcoming absence of Greg Jennings, I noticed that the pass offense continued to play great when he wasn't a big part of the offense. For example, he was shut down by the Buccaneers, but Jordy Nelson had a big game. This didn't seem to be the case over the previous three seasons. They'd needed someone to carry the bulk of the receiving production.

At the start of the 2010 season, it seemed like the Packers were forcing the ball to Finley with mixed results. After his season ending injury, the offense burden largely fell to Jennings. With the tables turned, will the burden now fall to Finley? Is that even a good idea?

Unfortunately for Finley's fantasy owners, I'm not expecting a big spike in production by Finley. I've been expecting Donald Driver will do his best Jennings impersonation. James Jones and Cobb will receive more attention, but I'm not expecting either receiver will be targeted more than 5 times in a game.

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Finley

With Jennings down, Finley has the opportunity to prove his worth. I would franchise him nonetheless giving him the opportunity to prove he can perform up to top tier money over a full year.

by glblank on Dec 18, 2011 9:46 AM CST reply actions  

Forcing

I don’t buy the meme that the Packers were forcing the ball to Finley to start the 2010 season. In four of the five games Finley played, Finley and Jennings were targeted within one throw of each other. Only in one game did Finley have more than one target more than Jennings.

I think we’ll see more Cobb in the slot and I’m interested in seeing how Jones steps up in Jennings’ absence.

Nitschke never wore an earring!

by Packer Pete on Dec 18, 2011 10:06 AM CST reply actions  

Sure, but a lot of Finley’s targets seemed to be Rodgers trying to squeeze a ball into a double team up the seam. There was plays where it seemed like Rodgers was hell bent on going to Finley, even if it meant he had to throw him open or make an amazing throw to do so. Jenning’s complaining after the Redskins game said a lot too. He seems like one of the most humble guys on the team.

That said, I doubt we see him force it to Finley these last three weeks. He’s going to throw to whoever is open, and with Nelson stepping up I think we’ll still consistently have guys open.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Dec 18, 2011 11:21 AM CST up reply actions  

Cobb

I’ve said all along in other threads, that Cobb and Finley are the one who are most likely to see increased production in the passing game. Driver doesn’t seperate very well anymore, so I don’t see a spike in his production. Cobb is the guy who can take Jennings short/intermeditate routes and still provide an explosive play. Finley isn’t going to see alot more coverage since he’s already doubled alot, but he’ll have more of Rodgers attention.

Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!

by Strohman on Dec 18, 2011 10:06 AM CST reply actions  

Yeah, I see Cobb being a lot more involved. He’s been seeing increased snaps on the season goes on already, which tells me that the coaches want to get him out there more. Now with Jennings out, this is the perfect opportunity to give him more chances to see what he can do with a more prominent role.

I see us continuing to use Driver like we are. We’ll use him in the slot in our 3,4, and 5 WR sets and let him run those option routes. I think he still gets decent separation but I think increasing his role could wear him down.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Dec 18, 2011 11:15 AM CST up reply actions  

I think Cobb will see a slight uptick in targets...

But Jones should be the one who benefits the most. Aside from the ATL and DET games, he has been largely absent including games against Tampa and NYG where he was shut out. He’s the sixth leading receiver on the team, in terms of receptions, even behind Driver and Starks. All of this from a guy who got his nice contract in the offseason. I feel he needs to step up and show his worth the last three weeks otherwise its gonna start looking like he never should’ve gotten that contract.

Packers' Magic Numbers:
Clinch Division = DONE!!!
Clinch 1st Rd Bye = DONE!!!
Clinch Homefield = 1

by Bezerkers on Dec 18, 2011 11:37 AM CST up reply actions  

It is the dropped balls from all the receivers.....

that has me concerned. shows a lack of concentration , and leads to drives stalling out. got to hang on to the ball from here on out.

by IcemanBT on Dec 18, 2011 10:53 AM CST reply actions  

Anyone think we'll see Gurley today?

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Dec 18, 2011 11:39 AM CST reply actions  

Not likely since he's not on the active roster

Packers' Magic Numbers:
Clinch Division = DONE!!!
Clinch 1st Rd Bye = DONE!!!
Clinch Homefield = 1

by Bezerkers on Dec 18, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions  

We might see him on the sideline...

13.

Build Lasers And Stuff For More Ownage, Dude!

by Wiedmann on Dec 18, 2011 12:12 PM CST up reply actions  

Drop.

It was we need to do with Finley at the end of the season.

by SoCal19 on Dec 18, 2011 1:38 PM CST reply actions  

There's a reason you're not an NFL GM

13.

Build Lasers And Stuff For More Ownage, Dude!

by Wiedmann on Dec 18, 2011 3:22 PM CST up reply actions   2 recs

Finley's not the bigtime TE

Jermichael Finley needs to shut up and put up for this offense, he’s read too many newsblurbs about his talent. He’s NOT Grankowski of NE, he’s NOT Jimmy Graham of Saints, he’s NOT Tony Gonzalez of Falcons yet, at this point he’s no better than Jake Ballard of Giants, he’s definitely not a Jason Witten either. Finley’s dropped more passes over last 4 games than rest of team has all year. McCarthy needs to start Crabtree, DJ Williams or Ryan Taylor over Finley in next game—get his attention on doing his job better. Packers defense has not looked anything like last year’s-secondary gets burned because no push in middle of D-line, that’s direct result of no Cullen Jenkins in the middle and no one has stepped up to give any effort that equals what Jenkins did last year. Capers or TThompson needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat NOW, can’t wait till draft next year or look to PSquad—the help’s not there to help RIGHT NOW.

by Shavager on Dec 18, 2011 5:16 PM CST reply actions  

When you stop watching just stats.

you’ll understand the impact Finley has on the offense. I’m not defending his dropped passes this year, there have been too many, but his career to date has not suggested that drops should continue to be a major problem. At the same time, lets remember that Finley draws as much double coverage, if not more, than Jennings! So to say he isn’t helping the offense also isn’t true. There simply isn’t a way to measure the impact Finley has on the defenses when he’s on the field. How did the otherwise great Jordy Nelson do today when he was seeing more attention and better CB’s than the steady diet of nickel CB’s he’s had all year? Did he even catch a pass? If he did I can’t even remember it…

Theres more to football than Stats!!! Put down the fantasy books and learn a little more about the game.

Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!

by Strohman on Dec 18, 2011 7:49 PM CST up reply actions  

Bout the dumbest thing I think I've ever read!!!

McCarthy needs to start Crabtree, DJ Williams or Ryan Taylor over Finley in next game

Just utterly, absolutely ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!

by Strohman on Dec 18, 2011 7:58 PM CST up reply actions   1 recs

no, he's not Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Gates, or Tony Gonzalez

but that doesn’t mean he’s not still a very good tight end, who is just going through a really rough stretch catching the ball. It wasn’t long ago he was maybe the most surehanded pass catcher on the team, and there’s no reason to think he won’t eventually start playing like it again.

In the meantime, he’s still drawing extra attention from defenses, and is still consistently getting open. Once he starts catching the ball again, everyone will be going on about how huge he is for the offense, given that he gets open maybe more consistently than anyone else on the team, and even when he’s not open is capable of out leaping and out muscling guys to catch the ball anyway. He’ll be fine, if anything, these last few games might serve as motivation for him to play more focused down the stretch.

and seriously, there’s no way they should even consider starting one of those other TEs. I’m all for putting one of those guys in for a handful of plays or a series when Finley’s having a tough time like he was in the first quarter today, but no way any of those guys should be starting when you have Finley as an option.

football does not build character, it reveals character.

by sheehan on Dec 18, 2011 10:51 PM CST up reply actions  

You got it. Finley’s not big time. He’s not even mediocre.

by DrCheese on Dec 18, 2011 10:52 PM CST up reply actions  

After the KC game

I hope they keep his motor mouth on the bench. How many dropped balls? He bragged about production and winning, and he doesn’t even catch the freakin’ ball. He needs some serious bench time. And that big contract? I’m beginning to believe we should cut him after the season.

by DrCheese on Dec 18, 2011 10:51 PM CST reply actions  

I'm glad you don't make the decisions

holy knee-jerk reactions.

football does not build character, it reveals character.

by sheehan on Dec 18, 2011 10:53 PM CST up reply actions   1 recs

, Batman

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"We're nobody's underdog!"

"We don't play scared!"

by NorthStarr on Dec 19, 2011 1:32 AM CST up reply actions   1 recs

Please lower your voice.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"We're nobody's underdog!"

"We don't play scared!"

by NorthStarr on Dec 19, 2011 9:19 PM CST up reply actions  

Not possible
I’m beginning to believe we should cut him after the season

Stupid, too.

13.

Build Lasers And Stuff For More Ownage, Dude!

by Wiedmann on Dec 18, 2011 11:45 PM CST up reply actions   2 recs

Where is he bragging about production?

I’ve heard him say he has to produce better, but thats hardly saying my production is so great and so am I… Your losing it!

Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!

by Strohman on Dec 18, 2011 11:49 PM CST up reply actions  

Well we saw Finley have like 5 more drops yesterday. It’s a shame about Quarless because I don’t think Finley is worth the money he’s going to demand. He drops the ball ALL the damn time and when he does catch it he does that stupid fish thing!!! He’s the only one of Packers receivers that has NO CLASS!!! Always running his jibbs in a otherwise quiet receiving group. JUST SHUT UP FINLEY AND CATCH THE BALL!!

by sonny113006 on Dec 19, 2011 4:35 AM CST reply actions  

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