Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley's planned breakout season in 2010 was cut short by a knee injury. Finley returned to play in all 16 games in 2011, tying a career-high with 55 receptions and setting career marks with 767 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The Packers avoided the use of the franchise tag on Finley, signing the 25-year-old to a two-year, $14 million extension.
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Finley lived up to his self-described "reporter's best friend/coach's nightmare" reputation in his session with the media following Wednesday's practice, discussing how he needs to see more from Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, the most productive tight ends in the NFL last season.
"I know Gronk and Jimmy Graham, they did well last year," Finley said, according to Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee. "But in this league, you've got to do it consistently. If you've shown that you can do it one time, you have to come back and do it. They're going to have to show me something. I'm not trying to beat them or see what I can do better than them, but they're going to have to show me a little more."
Finley's comments could raise a few eyebrows considering how Gronkowski and Graham finished in the top five in receptions and were two of seven receivers to top 1,300 yards last season, nearly doubling Finley's production. To Finley's credit, he doesn't believe he has done enough in the league, either. That sentiment was behind his decision to accept a short-term contract from the Packers.
"I'm going to play my game, regardless. If I play my game, everything will work out for itself," Finley said. "I'll be 26 when I come up for the next deal. It's going to be an awesome ride, I'll tell you that. I don't think I've done too much yet. It's a two-year deal. It's a good deal on both ends. I'm excited to be playing with a quarterback like Aaron (Rodgers)."
