http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1547 ... ay-packers

If the Green Bay Packers want to keep tight end Jermichael Finley for next season, it's certainly not going to be cheap.

Finley reportedly isn't interested in accepting a pay cut to stay with the Packers, according to ESPN:

I'd have to walk for sure, meaning I couldn't take a pay cut. Maybe I'd restructure if it's a deal that I like and it makes sense, but I'm not the guy that's just going to sign anything and let anything pass.

The 25-year-old is due a $3 million roster bonus in 2013. If the Packers trade or release him, they save $8.25 million, according to ESPN.

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He's gonna out price himself out of a job in Green Bay and out of future jobs in the NFL.

He has had 1 really good game in his career... that's it. He's always hurt and often disappears. Breaking the bank for that kid would be a huge mistake, despite his upside potential.

I am argree IamPZ. He will probably ultimately get a job no doubt, but not for the ridiculous money he thinks he deserves.

I get that some of these guys are an injury away from ending their careers, but you also have to be realistic and pay your dues first before commanding that money. The problem is that some teams will over pay, so some of these guys will certainly "try" get as much as possible first, before the scale slides down.

Just read the Titans have opted not to franchise Cook.

let's go with Ertz, Escobar or McDonald with one of our 2nds.
Create our own Pro Bowl level tight end.

Cook, Bennett, Keller and possibly Finley will be out there along with Fred Davis from Washington.

I will take Mike Wallace and one of those gentlemen and be happy. The only one they may not have a chance to be in Miami is Finley because he has been somewhat of a malcontent.

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Getting Wallace and one of those TEs in FA would be a huge start. And in one more decent FA on the OL or maybe a CB, add in the draft, and there is a serious amount of talent on this team

While they aren't necessarily the answer, Miami still has Egnew and Clay to try and develop.

I personally think they need a proven commodity. I personally want to see about Cook, who isn't getting the tag because he might qualify for WR money.

Don't forget that Clay has had to learn two different offenses his first two years so its possible he could improve a lot this year.

Jam, the pretty bad when you are a 3rd round draft pick and BARELY even saw the field, much less be a contributor. Egnew has the size and speed, but apparently he is lacking big time up stairs and has not been able to pick up the offense at all.

Not sure if Miami will keep him, and if they sign one of those proven TE, I think he is gone.

degs, Andy Levitre, the OG from Buffalo would be a nice upgrade at OG, and Buffalo just put the Franchise Tag on Jarius Byrd, so he is going to be free.

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and Levitre said the Bills haven't even approached him about a contract. Sounds like he's a goner. Excellent guard.

I am on the Tyler Eifert bandwagon. You do all that you can to trade back into the first and snag him. Starter from day one.

i'd have no problem with that

I didnt realize this guy was a free agent. He'd be my top choice of the free agents.
79 catches for 806 yards and 4 TD's is exactly what we want from our tight end.

Yeah Egnew is terrible and I don't expect him to be on the team by September. But I think you can sign any of the guys you mentioned, bring back Fasano and give Clay or Egnew the chance to battle it out to make the team. With the importance of the TE to this offense I'd like to see a proven commodity.

With that said, I'd be fine with Miami trading back up to get Eifert or Ertz, but its still a gamble.

Didn't know he had some Dolphin connections. Good info. Definitely an under the radar move I could see Miami making.

One really good game? I'm not sure your standards are realistic.

In 2011

7 catches for 85 yards and 3 TDs against the Bears.
6 catches for 87 yards and 1 TD against the Giants.
3 catches for 83 yards against KC.
7 catches for 64 yards and 1 TD against Detroit.

2010

4 catches for 103 yards against the Bills.
9 catches for 115 yards against the Bears.

2009

6 catches for 128 yards and 1 TD against the Vikings.
7 catches for 79 yards and 2 TDs against the Ravens.
9 catches for 74 yards and 1 TD against the Steelers.
3 catches for 80 yards against the Seahawks.

He had a down year last year and still managed to produce more than our starting tight end.

I'll take that 1 good game in his entire career, thank you.

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You also have to factor in the talent around him. I believe he had Donald Lee early on, Jennings & Driver, and then Jennings, Driver, Nelson. Hard to put up unbelievable numbers each week with so many options.

My question with him is attitude problems and if it is something Philbin is willing to deal with a second time around.

Why is it you take everything so literally? Is exaggeration not allowed on a fan forum?

Even with the numbers posted.. he's rarely been more than average.

Sorry, when I LISTENED to what you said, it didn't SOUND like you were exaggerating.

Oh wait, there is no sound.

Why is it incumbent upon me to guess whether you're exaggerating or not and not incumbent upon you to communicate effectively?

Sorry you sucked at doing what you were trying to do.

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Anyone ever tell you you're a fantastic people person? Yeah, didn't think so.

Most pointless back and forth ever.

LOL seems the love spats carry on into the off season


Considering the team, system and QB I think his numbers are mediocre.. Not saying he hasnt shown streaks, just nothing consistant..

If we are going to pay out for a FA TE, I would prefer someone who looked good with a crappy team and QB like Keller...

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Caution: Reply may contain sarcasm

regardless it's well documented that Finley's been pretty bad his past 2 years. He showed promise before that, and then got in Rodgers doghouse. Drops alot of balls so A-Rod stopped going to him as much.

I take offense at that. I feel strongly that I've been involved in more pointless debates on this forum. Take it back, PR!

Anyway, I would rather go after Keller or Myers, or trade up into the low 1st round to get Eifert. I think there are good arguments for and against Finley, and if we go after him, it must mean that Philbin is comfortable with him, which counts for a lot. But the drops and dysfunction playing with a very receiver-friendly system and players count against him in my opinion. No question about his upside, though.

Getting personal now?

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In 2012, no one on the team had 1000 yards or more receiving and he was third in receptions. I'm not sure what the expectations are for a tight end? Maybe we're looking at the anomolies in New England and New Orleans and expecting something similar?

In 2011 he was also third in receptions and yards. When you have so many weapons to throw to, that's not a bad place to be.

I think his biggest problem is target to catch ratio is a little low, but if you look at Greg Jennings in 2011, he was targeted 101 times and caught 67 passes. That means he caught 66% of the passes thrown his way, while Finley caught 59% of the passes he was targeted on.

Drops are probably a concern, but he is considerably more productive than anything we have on the roster.

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Just to add a little more perspective... Finley was:

- 9th in receptions in 2012 (Fasano was 28th)
- 14th in receptions in 2011 (Fasano was 29th)
- 12th in receiving yards in 2012 (Fasano was 34th)
- 12th in receiving yards in 2011 (Fasano was 23rd)

Keep in mind in 2011, Gronk and Graham had monster years.

This guy is not elite, but he is a definite upgrade, especially when you consider he is putting those numbers up in an offense that spreads the ball around a lot.

Fasano is bottom of the league in an offense that doesn't have too many weapons.

Having Fasano as a #2 tight end and a guy like Finley as your #1 (at the right price) is a much better situation than having Fasano as your #1 tight end. And the point of the offseason is to upgrade wherever possible... isn't it?

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lol is that with or without a period? ; )

I would surely like upgrading everywhere, Im not saying not to.. Just dont know what he is looking for as far as money. I would assume he is in the 6 - 8 range being thats what GB wants to restructure..

Then I hope we utilize the position rather then use him as an extra O-Lineman ...

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Caution: Reply may contain sarcasm

and telling somebody they 'suck' isn't personal? hmmmmmmm

It was probably a poor choice of words, but no it was not personal. I didn't tell him he sucked. What I was saying was that his attempt to come off as exaggerative sucked.

Just like your attempt to take what I said out of context sucked.

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I doubt it will happen, I just think people are downgrading this guy more than is deserved.

When you're surrounded by receivers who get targeted more than you and still manage to be third on the team in catches and yards and at or near the top 10 in tight end stats, you're a pretty good player. Not elite, but maybe a 2nd tier tight end which is better than the bottom of the league starter we have.

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Could be. He is definately better than anything we have now as far as pass catching TE's are concerned.

Been reading most people feel he will end up back in GB even if he is saying no. Restructures don't necessarily mean pay cuts unless its to a guys ego.

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Caution: Reply may contain sarcasm