Ah, if only football were an individual sport, rather than a team sport. Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley would probably dominate like no one else.
That way, Jermichael could get the ball to Jermichael on every play. Oh — and stop me if you’ve heard this one before — Finley has issues with Aaron Rodgers and that’s why he isn’t getting the ball enough.
“But me and 12 just ain’t been on. He’s had some guys come through this year, and he’s gone to them instead of me. And really, it’s out of my hands at the end of the day. If I could throw myself the ball and run under it, I’d do it every play because he’s just not throwing me the ball like he used to.”
Seriously, he’s harping on that again. This is probably fourth time this season Finley has talked about his lack of chemistry with Rodgers. Here’s more.
“Both of us need to just go out, maybe have a drink or two and just spill everything,” Finley said of him and Rodgers last week. “It sounds easy, but it’s not. He’s throwing it to who he’s comfortable with.
“I think (Randall) Cobb’s taken my position from ’09. I want to line up where Cobb’s lining up because I know the ball’s coming there.”
Interestingly, Finley’s comments came last week. He then went out and had his biggest game of the season on Sunday. Then the Journal Sentinel published this article on Monday.
Obviously, the Journal Sentinel has nothing to run this week and all their writers are probably off anyway, so they recycled this story about Finley complaining again. Good work!
We only wonder if Rodgers and Finley had gotten back on the same page prior to the Detroit game. If so, will this affect that?
We all know Rodgers hears everything and usually gets bent out of shape about anything he construes as negative.
Of course, Jermichael Finley could one day learn to shut his mouth.
This bum needs to go!!!
Maybe try catching 1 or 2 he sends your way and things might change!
^ What’s up, Crabtree? I agree. Nice to see that you read the fan blogs.
When he says its out of his hands, is he referring to all the passes that do come his way and he drops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozGNfNsnX6g
For your enjoyment—courtesy of Clifford Franklin.
Finley is completely right. The only problem with this is that he feels the need to say these things in public.
On the 3rd down play where Rodgers rolled out and threw low to Cobb, Finley was running wide open just to the inside of Cobb, who had a defender on his back. Rodgers still tried to throw it to Cobb, and it was incomplete and the Packers had to punt.
On the 3rd down in Lions’ territory where Rodgers tried the low percentage toss to James Jones, Finley is single covered by a LB and is open on the deep corner. Rodgers still threw it to Jones. Incomplete. Missed FG.
On both plays, Finley is clearly upset after the ball falls incomplete and runs off the field smacking his hands together.
Don’t blame the guy for his frustration. It is just a shame that he has to take it public.
Mark it down and stamp it. This is the the first time I’m going to (reluctantly) agree with Iltarion — he’s 100% right.
Finely has every right in the world to be pist off, albeit shouting his mouth off is the worst thing he can do and he’s a moron for doing it, but he’s right to be upset.
I don’t care if I get slammed for this or not but anyone who’s watched this team at all this season, and who understands football to a certain degree, should be able to clearly see that something is very, very wrong with his offense and it’s clearly on McCarthy’s shoulders.
McCarthy’s play calling has been atrocious this season, it’s absolutely horrendous. He’s been trying to force this non-existent running game for nearly two months now with ZERO success. Clearly he’s having trouble seeing that his offensive line is putrid and he just doesn’t seem to be able to grasp the concept that his team cannot effectively run the football — yet he still tries to force it.
(This is where Mr. Iltarion and I disagree)
GB runs on 1st down more than any team in the NFL this season (look it up), the play calling is predictable and flat. McCarthy rarely mixes up his calls, unless the score dictates it, he’s turned a potent west coast offense into a dink and dunk, 50/50 offensive trying to force the run. Where are the 5-WR sets? Where are the cross patterns over the middle? Where are the backside slants? I see a lot of five yard out-routes, busted screens and the occasional out-route on 3rd and long. I see Rodgers pressed into a lot of situations where his talent is forced to take toll.
Nothing that resembles the 2011 offense.
And for all this talk about Rodgers not having his full slate of receivers healthy? They haven’t used Finley whatsoever in the offense. I don’t know if Rodgers has hesitated to throw his way based on Finely’s drops and shitty attitude but when you have a 6-5, 250 pound TE who can run — that’s a linebackers worst nightmare. Create mismatches, that’s what this offense excelled at for the last two years — it’s nearly non-existent now.
I think the absence of Joe Philbin has really hurt this offense. Regardless of Finely’s attitude and drops, you still need to throw this guy the ball — would you rather have the ball in Al Green’s hands behind an atrocious O-line or give Finley a shot when he’s 1-on-1 with slow footed OLB?
Throw the ball into his mouth–he might catch it!
Packattack, you keep going on about them running behind that putrid offensive line. Well if they try throwing 50 times a game rodgers is gonna end up on his back more often than not and most likely hurt. I will agree with you to a point that most of it is to damn predictable. Most of the runs are draw plays that take way to long to develop and leave starks running for his life and me fighting the urge to destroy my tv.
I’m not saying Rodgers should be throwing 50 plus times — my apologies if it’s coming off that way. I understand you MUST run the football to open up the pass — I get it.
BUT here are my arguments
* McCarthy runs on 1st down almost 85% of the time (minus Red Zone opp) this sets up a lot of 3rd and long situations for the offense
* The play calling is flat. There are rarely 5 WR sets, rarely backside slants, rarely crossing patterns. You don’t need the deep ball to open up the middle of the field
* The play action isn’t working and the wheel plays and bootlegs take way too long to develop
* Rodgers doesn’t need to throw 50 times per/game but he does needs to get in a good rhythm — and he gets in a good rhythm when this offense mixes more passes then runs
* I don’t understand how you can underuse a healthy core of Nelson, Finley, Jones, Cobb and Driver and can’t find ways to get them open consistently? Someone should be getting mismatches there and often — isn’t happening
* This season GB backs are avg nearly 4.5 yards per/carry when they run directly up the gut yet when they try and run to the outside (1.2 per/carry) yet McCarthy still chooses more runs to the outside? WHY!?
* RB used sparely in the passing game — poorly managed play calling. 18 catches for GB backs in 10 games!!!! PATHETIC! If you don’t want to draw up plays and get the ball in Finley’s hands then give it to the RB’s who your trying to pound with 25 times per/game….my god!
Rodgers shouldn’t be throwing any less than 35 times per/game (depending on the score). And this offense should be coming out of the gate throwing — not running 50/50 draw plays and HB dives mixed in w/ short screens and 5 yard out routes. The best QB in the game has thrown for over 300 yards just FOUR times this year! FOUR TIMES! That’s as much on McCarthy as anyone. The play calling is flat and obvious. Even without Jennings this is still a very talented offense with solid weapons — yet they aren’t be used correctly. The numbers don’t lie and they certainly aren’t improving.
I’m sticking by this. Joe Philbin leaving this offense was apparently much more of a loss than originally thought.
Iltarian….Finley isn’t right….The reason Cobb gets more touches is because he can catch the ball, AND make something happen with it. Rodgers knows Finley better than anyone here…You ever think Rodgers may have good reason not going to Finley? If i had to chose between Cobb and Finley…I’d help Finley pack, buy his plane ticket, then punch him in the mouth….Now…about Finleys personality…..The man is a disease. All he ever does is negatize this team. The last off season, i was hoping TT would trade Finley for a solid pass rusher. Getting something for him, would have been smart. This guy is Cancer…I dont have to prove it….Finley proves it himself about 6 times a season. All this, and i haven’t even talked about his drops, penaltys, and piss poor blocking. Iltarian……. your ignorance never ceases to amaze me.
Rodgers is ….. S B winner, S B MVP..League MVP…Best passer rating in the history of the NFL..Arguably the best QB in the NFL and all this, while playing behind a weak 0 line..And Iltarian is “calling Rodgers out” for his receiver choices….proof positive…You cant fix stupid.
I agree with mxz, I’ll trust rodgers judgement all the way. Finley needs to earn Aarons (and the coaching staffs) trust back. He can do that by shutting up and making plays.
I agree and disagree with Itarion. One the one hand I disagree because Aaron is in the locker room with this guy. Aaron practices with this guy. Finley knows that the public doesnt see behind closed doors, so he thinks he will get sympathy. For all we know Finley practices like he has better things to do, drops balls in practice, and acts like a fucking inner city gangsta in the locker room. Aaron who I believe is a firm believer in the Packer Class Organization pulpit probably wants to make a point out of Finley that just because he is on the team, doesnt mean he fits in, or is accepted.
I applaud Aaron for that, if that is the case.
On the other hand TT and MM have decided that despite Finleys 13 year old maturity level and dismal IQ, he isnt a bad enough guy to get rid of. So in that regard I have to disagree with Aaron, who’s job it is to use whatever weapons are available to just win games baby.
Personally, I say throw the guy the ball all he wants if it means another SB title. Then walk into the head office in the off season and tell TT and MM you want him gone. Aint like they wont listen to Arodge.