GREEN BAY – Jermichael Finley says his knee is ready for the 2011 NFL season, and based on a few things the Green Bay Packers loquacious tight end had to say after a workout in the Twin Cities with his friend, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Finley’s mouth is in midseason form as well.
The talkative, confident Finley spoke with Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and other reporters after the workout and pronounced himself cleared for action and also expressed confidence that the Super Bowl XLV champions, who went on to win the NFL title without him following his right knee injury at Washington Oct. 10 – will repeat. Finley also spoke boldly about his role in the Packers’ offense and of the Minnesota Vikings’ chances in 2011.
“I was out Week 5 of last season, so just imagine that. I’m thirsty, hungry, dehydrated, I’m all of the above right now so I can’t wait to get back and play some ball,” said Finley, who caught 21 passes for a team-leading 301 yards (team-best 14.3-yard average) and one touchdown before tearing the meniscus in his right knee against the Redskins. “It was bittersweet. Being out Week 5 and then winning the Super Bowl and you not being a part of it. You’re like, ‘What did I do wrong?’ It’s one of those things where you have to learn from it and grow.”
“I was walking through the locker room (after the Packers’ 31-25 victory over Pittsburgh) and I saw the guys just stoked and happy and I was happy. But at the same time I was like, ‘[Shoot], I didn’t do nothing. I didn’t play.’ I guarantee I’m going to get them back this year.”
Asked if he’s been cleared to return to practice, Finley replied, “They are not clearing me, I’m clearing myself. I’m getting out there and playing this year without a doubt.
“Every step counts, every ball I get thrown to me in practice counts right now. I think (the injury) was a blessing, to tell you the truth. I saw the game from a different standpoint. It made me learn the defenses, it made me learn how to detail my routes and everything. Just seeing the game from a different standpoint, I got more knowledge.”
Finley said he’s glad that his teammates didn’t put together player-organized workouts during the offseason because he can’t wait to impress them when they return to the practice field.
“To tell you the truth, I’m glad they’ve done that,” Finley said. “I can come back and the first thing they’re going to see is me sprinting. I guarantee you right now, Green Bay, they don’t think I’m ready.”
Finley, who has a home in Minneapolis in addition to homes in Green Bay and Arizona, said he is in the Twin Cities regularly because his agent, doctor and trainer are all Minneapolis-based. Those who follow Finley on Twitter (@JermichaelF88) know he is there on a regular basis.
“My whole team is here and I needed that right now. I needed the support and this offseason has been the best offseason I’ve had,” said Finley, who contracted a staph infection after his knee surgery that set back his recovery significantly.
Before his injury, Finley was the focal point of the Packers’ offense, which transitioned toward Pro Bowl wide receiver Greg Jennings thereafter. Finley wasn’t bashful when discussing what he expects his role to be in the Packers’ offense this season, going so far as to say that he’s slimmed down in hopes of lining up more often as a receiver and less often in a three-point stance at the line of scrimmage.
“(The offense) will be way, way different. I guarantee you it’s going to be … we’re going to have a deadly team this year. … I can see us in Indianapolis this year. No doubt,” Finley said, referring to the site of Super Bowl XLVI.
“I’m thinner right now. GB (is) probably not like me right now but I’m trying to stand up this year. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I think (lining up in) a two-point (stance), I can get on the linebacker quicker, I can get on the safety quicker and it’s a win-win for me and 12 (quarterback Aaron Rodgers).”
According to Finley, he stood up “a good 60” percent of the time last year. “Standing up, I think that’s the best position for me,” he said. Asked if the coaches are comfortable with that, Finley replied, “They’re going to be comfortable with it.”
Finley, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is set to become a free agent after the season, pointed out that the Packers have other tight ends like Tom Crabtree and Spencer Havner who are more blockers than pass-catchers, and also pointed out that the team drafted tight ends D.J. Williams (fifth round) and Ryan Taylor (seventh round) this spring.
“We’ve got tons of guys (who can block), to tell you the truth and we drafted two of them. We drafted two tight ends this year,” Finley said. Asked if the selections of Williams and Taylor raised some eyebrows, Finley replied, “It did, but at the same time I know my ability and I see the ability they brought in and I guarantee you I’ll still be a focus.”
ESPN540Milwaukee wrote: