The Tight End for the Packers will be a total steal this year its starting to look like. He might be the closest thing to Antonio Gates in a while. The least you can do is take a flier on him in a late round i feel.
I couldn't agree with you more. I was going to post this after last week's game but I thought better of it as many would simply say "it's just preseason". But Finley has received nothing but praise during camp this year and has had glowing compliments from Rodgers himself and when the starting QB starts talking you up as opposed to the coaches, it's something I take notice of. 2 weeks ago you could get Finley off the waiver wire and not even have to spend a pick on him. Now I'm seeing him go in the early teen rounds of 12 team drafts.
To me Finley is the type of guy that you must own as your TE2 this year assuming you have to start a TE and have fairly large rosters. My TE1 is Olsen who I feel comfortable starting every game, but if Finley continues to explode, he will make Olsen very expendable. And don't forget that there are also rumors that Finley could be used in the slot a lot as well which only bumps his potential.
The final thing I will say is this. I've been around the Cafe for a long time and it's very rare that I heavily hype any sleeper as a "must draft" type of player but Finley is quickly approaching that status. The only guys before Finley were Colston (we all know how that one played out for those fortunate enough to grab him his first year) and Gates (who became a stud TE the year he was being hyped in the preseason).
The cafe was talking about Gates before he exploded onto the scene, could this be another gem? Only time will tell, I'll target him as my backup TE in the later rounds on Sunday when I draft in 2 leagues.
they said that they think he will be the majority TE now that he is better as a run blocker, and I think he is extremely comparable to gates. Gates was Raw his first year, but after a year.... BAM. Finley is looking similar
I picked him up in my dynasty league. The Packers drafted him in the 3rd rd in '08 knowing he was a project. Driver said he is the most athletic TE he has seen in the league. Rodgers and Finley stayed in GB in the off season and worked out together to gain continuity in the passing game. Rodgers is very impressed with him. He had 2 TD last night in the 1st half. The split him wide on occasion to give you a idea of how athletic he is. He has been IMO the most improved and impressive player in Packer camp this year. He looks like a star in the making up here.
The Pack threw to him more late in the season last year. In fact, if I remember correctly, the announcers in one of those later games were saying how impressed the coaches were with him. Thus, they were going to try and feature him a little more to see how he looked. I think he could have a very solid 2009 season. Truthfully, I already viewed him as one of my sleepers to watch out for at the end of last season..... but I am a Packer fan.
"Sometime during the Pats game last week, I decided that Tomlinson was the best overall running back of my lifetime. There's nothing he can't do: deadly receiver, tough inside runner, explosive to the outside, you name it." - ESPN's Bill Simmons
If you guys would have read my Green Bay Packers preview article you would have already been paying attention to Finley as a possible sleeper TE. He's been on my lists as a sleeper all off season.
mattb47 wrote:If you guys would have read my Green Bay Packers preview article you would have already been paying attention to Finley as a possible sleeper TE. He's been on my lists as a sleeper all off season.
I read it. Great article for sure, although Finley had been on my list before that.
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by brett5673 » Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:02 pm 
He's been on my lists as a sleeper all off season.
