Packers tight end Jermichael Finley said last week that he wouldn't take a pay cut from the Packers, but his agent says that's not quite the truth. Blake Baratz walked back some of what Finley said about not being "the guy who's just going to sign anything and let anything pass.' The Packers haven't approached

ProFootballTalk  wrote:

I would think there is little wiggle room for him in GB. Either take a pay cut, or he might be cut.

He is an interesting case. Lots of unrealized potential. That has been the crux. The Packers have been trying to tap that for years now. They might be done, especially at his current pay scale. Do we want him playing against us for a division rival? I think many of us don't want to see that. Maybe Ted can trade him, but finding a taker in that trade could prove difficult. Would it be in our interests to take less in trade for him to insure he didn't go to a division rival or an NFC team? Maybe.

I get the sense his schtick has worn thin with Rodgers, even though Rodgers gave it the college try by meeting with him the night before games the last half of last season. If he is too much work to deal with, and he can't be counted on to run the right routes with precision, block when needed to, make the important drive sustaining catch, why keep him around, as the #6 paid TE in the NFL? His production, from what I've read, ranks him around #22...

He probably wants to go to the Bears, but thankfully, they may not be able to afford him.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

Why cut him? Dude's only 25, he's still got untapped potential. At least get something for him.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

We all like to think he's tradable. Maybe he's not. Who would take on that contract? If you can't get someone to trade with you for him, what are your options? Continue to pay him #6 TE money for #22 TE performance, or cut your losses and go with Quarless, Taylor, Crabtree and Williams. Maybe draft another TE.

Finley has now jumped to #2 on our pay scale behind Rodgers. $8.75M for Finley. Releasing him would save $8.25 on the cap, unlike Hawk, who counts $7.2M, but releasing him would only save $2.25M on our cap because of accelerated signing bonus money.

I think they are planning to cut Finley, and that is why his agent is walking back his statements on not taking a pay cut. They know it.

The Packers either fish or cut bait with Finley this offseason. We'll know soon enough, as FA officially begins 3/12, and he is due a $3.5M roster bonus 15 days after the start of FA (3/27).

Originally Posted by: play2win 

We all like to think he's tradable. Maybe he's not. Who would take on that contract? If you can't get someone to trade with you for him, what are your options? Continue to pay him #6 TE money for #22 TE performance, or cut your losses and go with Quarless, Taylor, Crabtree and Williams. Maybe draft another TE.

Finley has now jumped to #2 on our pay scale behind Rodgers. $8.75M for Finley. Releasing him would save $8.25 on the cap, unlike Hawk, who counts $7.2M, but releasing him would only save $2.25M on our cap because of accelerated signing bonus money.

I think they are planning to cut Finley, and that is why his agent is walking back his statements on not taking a pay cut. They know it.

The Packers either fish or cut bait with Finley this offseason. We'll know soon enough, as FA officially begins 3/12, and he is due a $3.5M roster bonus 15 days after the start of FA (3/27).

Originally Posted by: play2win