The formula seems simple enough for the Green Bay Packers: plug Jermichael Finley back in, and one of the NFL's best offenses gets even better.
The way Greg Jennings sees it, though, reintegrating Finley into the Packers' offense while keeping everybody else happy might not be as easy as it sounds - especially for Aaron Rodgers.
"Let me say this: Aaron has a tough job. A very, very tough job," Jennings said. "You look out there and you see all these options. And it's like, `Yes, I have so many options.' But then, on the other end of that, you look out there and see all these eyes and hands wanting the ball, and now it's like, `Uh, I've got to make sure I get everybody into the game."'
While the playmaking tight end's return from a season-ending right knee injury could be a huge boost for the Packers going into Thursday night's opener against New Orleans, it also carries some challenges for Rodgers, Mike McCarthy and the rest of the coaches.
Finley took relatively few snaps in the preseason and was limited in practice Monday with a lingering ankle injury - although he said he feels fine, and McCarthy said he participated in most of the drills.
Finley can't wait to get back, and doesn't really see how his return might make things tougher on Rodgers.
"It makes it that much easier, to tell you the truth," Finley said. "We've got playmakers all over the field."
Rodgers typically sidesteps questions about spreading the ball around by saying he'll throw to whoever is open. And with Finley back, Rodgers is looking forward to seeing what happens with Jennings - and how receivers Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver and rookie Randall Cobb might benefit, too.
"With J-Mike back, it will be interesting to see how defenses play us," Rodgers said. "If they try to double him or double Greg and play some sort of special coverage to take one of those two guys away, then Jordy, James, Donald and Randall need to win one-on-one battles."
Finley certainly has the Saints' attention.
"He's an athletic guy, big, a match-up problem at times," Saints strong safety Roman Harper said. "And you've got to be trying to limit this guy, try to limit the things he can do and try and make them go away from him and things like that. They're definitely going to try and find him though, early, like they have."
And while Packers fans dream of Finley catching touchdowns over helpless linebackers, Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin wants to see Finley become a more complete player.
"There's a lot of potential," Philbin said. "He's made some significant contributions since he's been here. And at the same point in time, he's still got a long way to go in certain areas. To be a complete tight end, you've got to be able to pass block, you've got to be able to run block - not only catch the ball down the field and outjump somebody for the ball. And he's worked hard in all three areas and he's made improvements in all three areas. So now we'll see."
The real issue is exploiting Finley's matchups while keeping the Packers' talented wide receivers happy. Coaches like to say it's a nice problem to have. And it is. But it still has to be dealt with.
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