Jermichael Finley - still a Packer in 2013???

[stomperrob]

The price tag is a little steep, but contracts can be reworked.

Jermichael Finley sees it as "50/50" whether he'll stay with Packers
The Packers must decide if it's worth giving Jermichael Finley another season at $8.25 million.
Mark Hoffman
By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 7, 2013


Green Bay - He's not treating this February any differently. He's not agonizing about his future.

In Minneapolis, Jermichael Finley continues to work out with "Dr. Josh." With sports medicine specialist Josh Sandell, the Green Bay Packers tight end says he's keeping his body right and, most importantly, keeping his mind right.

Uncertainty looms.

Maybe Finley stays in Green Bay next season. Maybe he's moving on. On Thursday, he said it's "50/50" whether he will be in Green Bay next season.

"I would love to stay there," Finley said, "but if Green Bay says otherwise, I play football for a living, so I'd have to switch gears and get ready for another chapter in my life."

Count this as one of general manager Ted Thompson's most difficult decisions this spring. By releasing or trading Finley, the Packers save $8.25 million. He's due a $3 million bonus in March. Yet this is also a young, athletic, physical specimen that's rare for the position. If the Packers let the 25-year-old walk - without a proven replacement in house - they might regret it.

At his season-ending news conference, coach Mike McCarthy threw his support behind Finley.

con'y...

more: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/ ... 19401.html

[stomperrob]

Jermichael Finley will stay in Green Bay
By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
March 25, 2013


Green Bay - As Monday dragged on, he didn't check the time. Jermichael Finley wouldn't count down to 3 p.m CST himself. His wife was nervous enough to become sick. But as the deadline neared and the Green Bay Packers needed to decide whether or not to pay Finley his $3 million bonus, the tight end insists he wasn't stressed out.

"I never watched the clock on any part of the deal," Finley said. "I just let it play out."

On Monday, the Packers decided to pay Finley his $3 million roster bonus due Tuesday, ensuring that he'd stay on the team at his 2013 salary of $8.25 million. The final decision came down to the wire. One source indicated the team was uncomfortable with Finley's salary. But while the two sides did talk about the tight end's contract, general manager Ted Thompson and negotiator Russ Ball never gave Finley a pay-cut ultimatum.

After losing out on Greg Jennings to division rival Minnesota in free agency and then letting tight end Tom Crabtree sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Packers couldn't afford to release the 6-foot-5, 247-pound Finley.

So with a high price tag comes high expectations. Pressure mounts.

Finley says he's ready for it.

con't...

more: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/ ... 78421.html