Tight end Jermichael Finley‘s future with the Green Bay Packers remains uncertain, but one thing isn’t. People have no problem with making fun of Finley in public.
He says he’s heard taunts from fans both on and off the field, which is in large part, due to Finley’s recurring problem with drops. It probably also doesn’t help that Finley is so, uh… outspoken.
“When I’m out and about, people will say, ‘Hey don’t drop your keys!'” Finley said. “I get pretty much everything. It became second nature. It doesn’t bother me at all. It’s just something I had to overlook.”
Don’t drop your keys! Ho ho!
I got you good, you fucker!
As for the possibility of returning to the Packers in 2013, Finley says he wants to be back, but knows that isn’t a certainty. In fact, he thinks the chances of him returning to the Packers is 50/50.
“It’s the nature of the business,” Finley said. “If there’s a guy that’s overpaid or that they think is overpaid, they’ll ask for a pay cut. There’s no doubt that I want to be there for life. But it’s a business and the business will tell you otherwise. I would say on the business front, it’s 50/50. But if it was up to me or anybody in my circle, I would love to be back.”
The biggest problem is the $8.25 million Finley is due this season. That includes a $3 million bonus due in March. The Packers could clear all of that by releasing him.
Not only has Finley not earned that much money, but the Packers have salary cap issues and several big-money extensions looming. Right now, they’re paying a guy based on potential.
The smart move would be to give Finley a longer deal with more guaranteed money and a lower salary cap number.
Stay tuned.