Indianapolis Coach Mike McCarthy dismisses the notion that the return of tight end Jermichael Finley to the Green Bay Packers next season could ruffle some feathers among other members of the receiving corps.
McCarthy is confident that he and quarterback Aaron Rodgers can devise a ball distribution plan that definitely will work.
"He'll make us better," McCarthy said at the National Football League Scouting Combine.
Finley, who won't be 24 until next month, suffered a season-ending knee injury on his second snap against Washington in Week 5.
Through four games, Finley had played more snaps (196) than any of the wide receivers: Greg Jennings (171), Donald Driver (167), James Jones (110) and Jordy Nelson (84).
From the start of training camp, McCarthy appeared to feature Finley more than anyone else in the receiving corps. In those four games, Finley played more snaps (89) either as the only receiver to a side or from the slot than he did from the conventional end-of-line position (67).
Finley had been the target of 25 passes compared with 27 for Greg Jennings, 26 for Donald Driver, 16 for James Jones and nine for Jordy Nelson.
Finley was the leading receiver with 21 catches for 301 yards. He was followed by Driver (21-218), Jennings (12-161), Jones (11-112) and Nelson (6-53). The only tight end with more receiving yards was San Diego's Antonio Gates.
As exceptional as Finley was, however, the offense ranked 19th through four weeks. It finished ninth.
Minus Finley, the Packers became a wide receiver-dominant offense. Jennings and Nelson played better than they ever had, and Jones had his moments. In each case, they were targeted more on average without Finley than they had been with him.
Although McCarthy agreed that his offense wasn't flourishing early, he doesn't expect selfishness to be a problem next season.
"Hey, all we've got to do is point to the trophy if anybody ever brings up an issue of getting the football," he said. "We'll just point to that trophy out in the hallway."
Not only will the effervescent Finley want to get his career back on track, he also will be eyeing a new contract. Depending on the new labor agreement, his base salary for 2011 should escalate to well over $1 million. As it stands how, his base salary will be the $550,000 minimum.
"I love that kid, man," McCarthy said. "He's so competitive, and he loves to play football. He makes us a better football team. Not just because of his ability and his uniqueness, but also his competitive spirit. We missed him from a competitive standpoint. That guy loves to perform. Every day. In everything we do."
Finley also has been willing to speak his mind on a variety of subjects, including how it's best to utilize him.
"See, Jermichael publicly and when he's in the building is not the same," said McCarthy. "His persona and some of the things he does with his messaging is not the guy that we work with. He's a team guy that wants the football and (will do) whatever it takes to win."
McCarthy said he never has and never will build an offense around one player.
"The best thing we do is we're multiple formation, multiple personnel," he said. "We're very conscientious of guys like Greg and Jermichael and making sure they play from every position.
"I think we've done a very good job, particularly the last two years, making sure we're extremely diverse in case we have to move in a different direction. We don't want to ever react to the tendencies. We want to be in front of our tendencies. That's really why we were able to adjust this year."
Nothing yet
Fullback John Kuhn is coming off the best season of his career, but the Packers haven't talked to agent Kevin Gold about a new contract.
"All I know is they like him," said Gold. "I think they want to keep him. He loves it there. If you look at the talent that's there, who doesn't want to keep winning Super Bowls? Hopefully, when all this smoke clears, we can get something done."
Kuhn played 412 snaps in 20 games, including 278 at running back and 134 at fullback.
"Do I feel he's an NFL running back? No," Gold said. "But he was able to play that role. He was a cult hero.
"They probably feel, 'Hey, they're going to have (James) Starks and (Ryan) Grant, maybe John won't play as big a role.' Teams always like to pay for future performance, not past. Our view is John does so many things, and does them well."
McCarthy said Starks "has a chance to be a great player," he's eager for Grant's return from a leg injury and he mentioned liking what Brandon Jackson and Kuhn did.
He expects Grant and Starks to compete for carries.
"That's the way we've always played," said McCarthy. "I'm not looking to run one guy into the ground."
Good depth
McCarthy seemed more than satisfied with the depth on the defensive line even if Cullen Jenkins departs in free agency, as expected.
Veteran Howard Green has another year on his contract ($765,000 minimum base salary), and McCarthy said he definitely wants him back.
Defensive end Mike Neal is a different player than Jenkins, McCarthy noted, but added, "The inside pass rush also is a strength of his."
C.J. Wilson, according to McCarthy, "kept playing better and better as the year went on. He's another guy I'd love to see the jump he can make from Year 1 to Year 2."
McCarthy said Jarius Wynn "got better, too. He grew up a lot."
As for Justin Harrell, who has played 14 of a possible 64 games and is coming off reconstructive knee surgery in September, McCarthy said, I dont know. I know he was coming back in for his physical. I really havent got a report on it. We havent really talked about Justin. I probably need to talk to him and see where hes at. We let him go home. I havent seen him.
Harrell has a year left on his contract.
Johnny Jolly has made overtures to the NFL about reinstatement from the suspended list, and his status should be determined within a few months.
I had a positive experience with Johnny, said McCarthy. Until we know its fine, we cant really talk about it.
Back end
McCarthy said he wants to re-sign safeties Charlie Peprah and Anthony Smith, both of whom have expired contracts. McCarthy said the future of unsigned safety Atari Bigby would be a "business decision."
"We'd like to have some veteran guys to go along with Morgan (Burnett)," he said. "We also like Anthony Levine. We've got some good depth at safety."