Zero2Cool
12 years ago
Original article and don't forget to click the author to hit their main page for the rest of their material.

GREEN BAY – Last season, on the very first episode of his weekly radio show, this is what Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers said about his tight end, Jermichael Finley, when it came to interviews:

“J-Mike is a walking one-liner. He's a reporter's best friend and a head coach's worst nightmare sometimes when he's answering questions. We like to laugh about some of his answers. But when you break it down, he's a very confident young man. We love his swagger and the confidence he brings to the locker room, but he can definitely ruffle some feathers when he's making bold predictions."

Finley spoke for roughly nine minutes at his locker following Wednesday’s organized team activity practice, and he didn’t hold back his thoughts on a variety of topics:

> On his 11 drops last season, ranking in the top five in the NFL: “Catching comes second-nature to me. All I’ve got to do is focus a little bit more. I know I can catch the ball. I know I’m going to catch the ball this year — for sure I’m going to catch it. It’s focus."

> On if the uncertainty of his contract situation played a role: “Not at all. It was just my play. I’m not blaming it on my offseason, but me and the QB didn’t have chemistry. The routes were off sometimes, and that’ll mess with your head when the ball comes. The contract didn’t bother me at all. Not one bit. Not one bit.”

> On the Packers’ offense: “The scheme they’ve got set for us, it’s pretty deadly. Only we can stop ourselves. The offense was rolling last year. We were 15-1. (GM) Ted (Thompson) is a genius at what he does, so I’m on his team.”

> On the next step in his game: “The next step is take my game to the next level. Detail everything, and just play my ball. I feel like I’ve been playing like a robot lately. I just need to get out there and freestyle it.”

> On what he means by “freestyle”: “Play fast, not count my steps, not worrying about how the defense is playing me or what the defense is doing and just do me. If I do me, it can take my game to the next level. That’s where I struggle. I get out there and think too much. If I let my game speak for itself, I can take this league over at the position. If you go out there with too much on your head, it can mess up your game.”

> On why he felt he was “a robot” last year: “I would say no offseason program. I couldn’t get the chemistry with the QB. And not (that I was) thinking about the injury, but every time somebody got around my legs, I was like, ‘Watch out.’ I was thinking about that next injury. I can say it was because of the injury (in 2010), for sure.”

> On other prominent tight ends in the league: “I know Gronk (Rob Gronkowski) and Jimmy Graham, they did well last year. But in this league, you’ve got to do it consistently. If you’ve shown that you can do it one time, you have to come back and do it. They’re going to have to show me something. I’m not trying to beat them or see what I can do better than them, but they’re going to have to show me a little more.”

> On betting on himself by signing only a two-year deal, making him a free agent again after 2013: “I’m going to play my game, regardless. If I play my game, everything will work out for itself. I’ll be 26 when I come up for the next deal. It’s going to be an awesome ride, I’ll tell you that. I don’t think I’ve done too much yet. It’s a two-year deal. It’s a good deal on both ends. I’m excited to be playing with a quarterback like Aaron.”

> On the importance of getting in sync with Rodgers: “If you go over the years I’ve done well, we had an offseason program, we had minicamps, we had training camps. So, we had three processes that we were going through for us to get the chemistry. This year, I feel it and it’s going to be a good one. I guarantee it.”

Jason Wilde  wrote:




Here's what Josh Alper said about the article above.



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gbguy20
12 years ago
Whatever he has to do fix his issues, I am all for. But the idea of him out there "freestyling" worries me. Did my second sentence contradict the first?
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Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member
12 years ago
Well, it's just me, but if a receiver and Aaron Rodgers aren't on the same page, it ought to be the receiver who adjusts.

And "freestyling" doesn't sound like adjusting to me. It sounds like a recipe for extra interceptions.




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Pack93z
12 years ago

Well, it's just me, but if a receiver and Aaron Rodgers aren't on the same page, it ought to be the receiver who adjusts.

Originally Posted by: Wade 



I would think in terms of reads, breaks, timing. And it is a shared responsibility between both the QB and the receiver. They have to see and read things the same.. so the timing of the QB release and the spot of the delivery coincides with the receivers break and location.

Example.. if a corner is playing to the outside shoulder and the safety is halving the field in coverage receiver should make this break at this location on this beat after the snap for x route. Both have to read the play the same way and expect the receiver to be there on the proper timing.

That said.. this reads to me like Finley trying to deflect a bit of the cause for the drops.. if the ball is in your location and your not in harms why.. 99 out of a hundred times you better make that catch.


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
dfosterf
12 years ago
I think we should cut him.

If he just played and shut his yap, I say keep him.

Cut maybe too harsh, upon reflection.

Trade his ass.
rabidgopher04
12 years ago
I get the sense that this past year he was feeling too mechanical and not letting his play develop naturally. It's like ballroom dancing - you need to get a feel for it otherwise if you are only thinking about making the correct steps you'll start tripping over yourself (or your partner).

Finley just needs to get a feel for his routes and not get overly concerned about counting his steps to be in the right position at the right time. Hopefully a full offseason of practice will give him this.
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Yerko
12 years ago
I wouldn't read too much into Finley saying he needs to "freestyle" it more. When a wide receiver (or tight end for this matter) gets caught up in thinking too much about the route (how many steps do I take before I break, do I do this before I do that) their game becomes too one dimensional or as Finley puts it, robotic.

With not as much off season work, a past, recent injury, and even the contract situation (he can say it didn't play a role, I don't buy it) he couldn't just rely on his skill set to work him through the game. In being able to have all the off season work available to him, two years out of surgery, and a new contract...I have a feeling we are going to see a better Finley this season. Scary.
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PackerTraxx
12 years ago
After reading the article his comment seems more positive. When I first saw it, it seemed like he was saying he should have more freedom to "go on his own more". But in reading the article he is saying he wants to be able to run his route more naturally, without having to think about them, that sounds much better. In Sunday's Journal he talked about getting together with Rodgers this summer to develop better chemistry. That also sounds like a great idea.
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Pack93z
12 years ago
Personally I like it.. if I read into it correctly.

Basically, play loose.. play free, don't over think the game and fret over everything.

Balls out.

Still play within the confines of the offense.. but just play.


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Stevetarded
12 years ago
I have a fun idea for this thread. Let's take something Jermichael said, assume it was said in negative context, put an overly negative spin on it and then criticize him for it. Oh wait never mind that's what we do for every thread dealing with this guy, carry on.
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dfosterf (11-Nov) : I believe Zero was being sarcastic
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