After an impressive off-season and training camp, Jermichael Finley figured to be a vital weapon for the Green Bay Packers' offense.
He was. It just took until the fourth game of the season for it to happen.
Finley, the second-year tight end out of the University of Texas, caught six passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in 30-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the Metrodome.
The biggest catch was a 62-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers that tied the game, 7-7, with 2:16 to go in the first quarter.
Lined up as H-back on the right side of the formation, Finley got a free release and initially drew cornerback Antoine Winfield in coverage. But Winfield thought he had help deep from safety Tyrell Johnson. Johnson was late getting over and Finley was wide open when Rodgers hit him on the run.
Finley, who added two catches for 37 yards in the second half, made a great move at the Vikings 32-yard line to elude Johnson and out-raced cornerback Cedric Griffin to the goal line.
It was the second touchdown of Finleys career and his first since the 2008 season finale against the Detroit Lions.
It was no surprise that Finley was targeted against the Vikings.
In the season opener against the Cleveland Browns and in the third game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings allowed 13 catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns to tight ends. Vernon Davis had seven catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns for the 49ers.
Theres no doubt theyve been giving up some catches to the tight ends, Finley said this week. You cant help but notice that.
The problem for the Vikings is that Johnson is inexperienced as a second-year player out of Arkansas State. The Vikings elected to let veteran Darren Sharper go as a free agent, thinking that Johnson was ready.
After catching nine passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns in exhibition games, Finley had five catches for 62 yards in the first three regular-season games. Four came in the second game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He didnt have a catch last week against the St. Louis Rams.