Green Bay Packers tight end [intlink id=”209″ type=”category”]Jermichael Finley[/intlink] is motivated by:
A. Another Packers’ Super Bowl run
B. The fact the Packers keep adding tight ends to the roster
C. Money
D. All of the above
I think we all know the answer to the question is D. We could probably add another reason — The idea of becoming the best tight end in football — and make the answer E. if we wanted to.
Obviously, Finley has a lot of reasons to be motivated.
The first reason is the meniscus injury he suffered last October, that sidelined him for the remainder of what was supposed to be his breakout season. Finley was initially informed he’d miss two-to-six weeks, but ended up missing most of the Packers’ [intlink id=”1425″ type=”category”]Super Bowl XLV[/intlink] run.
“I was heartbroken. I was mad as hell,” said Finley, who had been on an early pace for a monster 2010 season with 21 catches for 301 yards and one touchdown after four games. “But at the same time you’ve got to control what you can control. And the only thing I could control after that was how I was going to get better and come back stronger, faster and smart as ever.”
Finley’s anger, and his old immaturity, came out publicly when he complained on Twitter about injured players not being included in the team’s Super Bowl photo. The team rectified the situation, but that doesn’t replace the chance to play in the Super Bowl.
In addition to playing on the big stage, Finley has been given a little motivation by the Packers. The team selected two tight ends in the 2011 NFL Draft — Arkansas’ [intlink id=”1624″ type=”category”]D.J. Williams[/intlink] in the fifth round and North Carolina’s [intlink id=”1629″ type=”category”]Ryan Taylor[/intlink] in the seventh.
Taylor has a slim chance to stick with the team unless he becomes a special teams demon, but he and Williams join a group that already includes holdovers [intlink id=”1036″ type=”category”]Andrew Quarless[/intlink], [intlink id=”1236″ type=”category”]Tom Crabtree[/intlink] and [intlink id=”700″ type=”category”]Spencer Havner[/intlink], who like Finley, finished the season on injured reserve.
If he’s healthy, Finley won’t be challenged for the No. 1 spot, but the Packers sent two messages to the fourth-year pro during the draft.
1. Work hard, get healthy, live up to your potential and stay healthy.
2. We won’t be held hostage by your contract demands.
Let’s face it.
If Finley, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, plays all season at full strength, he’s going to have a monster year.
He’s also going to ask for a monster contract.
As nice as it is to think Finley’s main motivation is playing in the Super Bowl or that he’ll play harder because there are younger guys eying his job, this is really about money.
It’s hard to see the Packers not rewarding Finley with a contract extension if he picks up where he left off last season, but at least they’ve protected themselves if his demands are outlandish.
When you put all the factors together, Jermichael Finley should have absolutely no shortage of motivation in 2011.
And there will be no shortage of sky-high expectations from the rest of us.
Somebody hack his phone and block Drew Rosenhaus’ number.
Ask Jennings, Tramon & Hawk how to handle contact negotiations. They got paid, follow those players lead, he will too.
Jermichael’s career and potential are all summed up in one word……If.
Listen, the Packers are projected to be right on the cap limit… With that being said, next year’s FA will see Clifton gone as Sherrod/Baluga takes over and that will create SOME cap space as well as Tauschers contract, BUT lets be honest…. The Packers are going to re-sign RG-Josh Sitton long before they sign Jermichael. TT knows and preaches this all the time and will of course will re-sign one of the best G’s in the entire game. He’s first. Then with any money that may be left they they’ll assess the situation. Remember they also have some other FA’s besides these two as well! Take a look at NEXT years potential FA’s!!! Its interesting. Go Pack Go
No, I have to seriously agree that the odds are probably better than not that Finley will NOT be resigned. TT and MM are not fond of oft-injured players. We may expect Finley to accept less because of his injury history. It is quite likely some other team will be willing to completely overlook that and take the risk that Finley will stay healthy.
Well my opinion is from a fan’s perspective. I hate big mouth football players. I LIKE them in other sports but this guy is not gifted with class.
I’d hate to see us lose him, but I’d also love to see us move on ala Javon Walker and Bernt Fart. No one player is bigger than the team.
Stuff like Al Harris getting a ring makes you love the game, stuff like Finley’s “tweet” during SB week do not. A real team player hey?