Jermichael

Finley

Finley’s market appears to be heating up some, even after the Seahawks reportedly dropped out of the running. Finley visited the Patriots last Friday, though it’s been reported they just want to review his medicals. The Steelers’ team doctor performed Finley’s neck surgery and recently cleared him for football activities. RapSheet reports Finley was recently in Pittsburgh to talk to the doctor once again. In Oakland, the Raiders are simply searching for someone to man tight end. Ex-Packer James Jones could help recruit Finley to the Black Hole.

Finley went through a limited practice routine last week, was active against the Saints and played 54-of-67 snaps (80.6%). After an extended week coming off a Thursday night game, he should be at nothing short of 100 percent Sunday.

Finley caught a 19-yard pass in the end zone, but the ball popped out shortly after he fell to the ground, similar to Megatron’s infamous play from Week 1 of last season. By the letter of the law, the incomplete ruling was correct in both cases. Still, it’s a reminder that Finley remains a huge part of this offense and elite talent. He is on the verge of breaking out.

The Packers have limited Finley’s practice reps all season, and even if he’s limited again on Friday, he is in no danger of missing Week 4 against Denver.

He’s good to go. After a three-touchdown Week 3 destruction of the Bears, Finley will face off with a Broncos defense that has no apparent way to stop him. Chris Wesseling and Gregg Rosenthal rank Finley as the No. 1 TE this week.

Finley could have had a much bigger night, but dropped what likely would have been a 17-yard touchdown on Green Bay’s second to last offensive snap of the first half before letting another would-be big completion clang off his hands on a 3rd-and-11 early in the fourth. He’s now caught just seven passes for 95 yards in his past two games. He’ll have a good chance to get back on track in a big way when the Packers host the reeling Rams in Week 6.

Aaron Rodgers rolled out and found a diving Finley in the back of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Finley was targeted just one other time as Rodgers continues to spread out his throws among a bevy of options. Finley remains a top-five fantasy tight end, but the majority of that production came in one game.

Finley would earn an additional $4 million with wideout status, but the fact that he lined up as a tight end on 54 percent of his snaps is enough evidence that he shouldn’t be compensated as such. It’s also worth noting that Finley’s 767 receiving yards did not rank in the Top 40 among NFL receivers.

The contract locks in Finley through his age-26 season, and he’ll be able to test the free agent waters as a 27-year-old in 2014. The deal makes sense for each side, both financially and from the standpoint that Green Bay won’t have to argue with Finley about which position he plays regarding the franchise tag. Finley, 25, finished the 2011 season with 55 catches for 767 yards and eight touchdowns. While the yardage and TD numbers were career highs, Finley has the potential to be a far better player than he showed last year. He’ll be a recommended post-hype pick in 2012 fantasy drafts.

It’s an escape hatch for the Packers, though one they are unlikely to use unless Finley takes a big step backward or suffers a debilitating injury. Finley will make $5.75 million in 2012, roughly $300,000 more than he would have made under the franchise tag for tight ends. The full value of the new two-year contract is $14 million. He can make another $1 million in incentives.