Hi. My name is Jermichael Finley. I’d like to play for your football team.
For all intents and purposes, the Green Bay Packers starting tight end is auditioning for the entire NFL right now. Finley is in the final season of his contract and, yeah, he wants a new one, but he doesn’t expect the Packers to hand him one.
“A good start is important,” Finley said. “It’s a business, and it’s strictly business at that. Ted takes no prisoners, and I’m going to go out and earn every bit of my money, and that’s what I want to do now. I don’t want anything given.”
Ted takes no prisoners. Fuckin A.
Finley is earning $8.25 million this season, which didn’t seem like a very good deal for the Packers at times last season. Finley was pretty much a constant distraction, with his whining and complaining and he became known more for dropping passes than making plays.
That started to change toward the end of 2012. Finley finished strong on the field and during the offseason, he learned to shut his mouth. In week one, Finley put up for the most part — five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.
That being said, he also dropped a ball that led to Aaron Rodgers’ lone interception and was, at times, a complete liability as a run blocker.
But Finley is going to get his money. He’s a weapon in the passing game. The only question is who’s going to pay him.
Our guess is it will be the Packers. What else are they going to do? Start Andrew Quarless?