Jermichael Finley has gone from the focal point of the Green Bay Packers offense to maddeningly inconsistent complainer. It looks like he might end up going back to being more of the former this season.
Everyone has been singing Finley’s praises this offseason and preseason, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers. You can add coach Mike McCarthy to that group. McCarthy says Finley is having his best training camp.
“He’s having his finest training camp, I think it’s clear-cut,” said Packers coach Mike McCarthy on Tuesday following practice.
And offensive coordinator Tom Clements.
“It’s not just this camp, the whole spring,” Clements said. “He’s been outstanding. He’s been working hard. I think he’s improved his blocking tremendously. He’s become a more detailed route runner. He’s finishing plays.”
We saw Finley’s ability to make an impact in last Saturday’s preseason game, when he had four catches for 78 yards in just three series. Of course, Finley’s ability to make plays has never really been in question.
It’s his head that’s always been the question mark. From saying stupid shit to dropping passes to giving zero effort to block on running plays, the Packers never knew what they were going to get from Finley if he wasn’t getting the ball.
That appears to have changed now that Finley is in the final year of his contract. Funny how that happens when a guy is playing for a payday.
In addition to putting on more weight and dedicating himself as a blocker, Finley has also canned the outspoken act. He’s just playing football, which is a welcome turn of events.
If he stays the course, Finley could have that monster season we’ve been expecting for so many years now. And he just might earn that big payday in the process.