Jordy Nelson Is Number One, But Spreading The Ball Around Has Made The Packers Offense Better

Sam Monson has written the definitive post about the Green Bay Packers first game with Clay Matthews at inside linebacker (don't call him an inside linebacker!) and should be read by anyone interested in his new position/role on defense.

Another interesting point raised this week was that QB Aaron Rodgers threw two of his six touchdown passes against the Bears to tight ends, which doubled the number of touchdown passes thrown to tight ends this season. He has been throwing more passes in general to TEs Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers in recent weeks and he's been spreading the ball around to the benefit of the offense.

Below are the number of targets to their top receivers so far this season, pro-rated out to 16 games in the next column, and compared to the number of times each player was targeted in 2013.

Receiver	2014 Targets	2014 Projected	2013 Targets
Nelson	84	149	126
Cobb	60	107	46
Lacy	30	53	44
Adams	37	66	0
Quarless	27	48	54
Richard Rodgers	14	25	0
Jones	0	0	93
Boykin	8	14	82
Finley	0	0	34

One interesting note is that overall the Packers haven't run as many offensive plays this season. So when you combine the projected number of targets to Quarless and Rodgers (73) and compare that to the total targets in 2013 to Quarless and Jermichael Finley (88), it's down but overall the number of plays are down anyway.

The number of pass attempts to Eddie Lacy is up slightly, and passes that last year went to James Jones and Jarrett Boykin (so much for his breakout season) have gone to a healthy Randall Cobb and rookie Davante Adams, though not as many. However, the one player that jumps out is Jordy Nelson.

Watch all the big plays from last night's win, including this impressive Jordy Nelson TD: http://t.co/NUr8sZxDhj pic.twitter.com/c8iaJEkRG4
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 10, 2014

29% of all pass attempts have been targeted at Nelson, which leads the team by a wide margin. Early in the season, Nelson was targeted 40% of the time, so he's actually been less featured in recent weeks. He's also had to play against two teams (Lions and Saints) who were very determined to shut him down with double coverage.

Whatever they're doing this season its working in the passing game, Aaron Rodgers moved ahead of Peyton Manning in ESPN's QBR this week, so this is not a complaint. I'm just tracking how the passing game is being used as the season goes on.

Packers Don't Think Bostick's Leg Injury is Serious

The Packers don't think TE Brandon Bostick's leg injury is serious, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.

During yesterday's preseason win over the Rams, Bostick sustained the wound, the details of which have yet to be revealed.

Nonetheless, this news is definitely good for Green Bay, as who will start for them at Jermichael Finley's old position this year is a complete mystery.

Remember, since Colt Lyerla just got hurt and will be out weeks this season's TE possibilities have begun to dwindle, with Bostick, longtime backup Andrew Quarless, and rookie Richard Rodgers really the only possible candidates at this point.

Five Key Things To Watch In Camp: Number 4 - Starting TE

The countdown to training camp continues and I'm returning to a subject I've written a lot about this offseason: who will start at tight end for the Packers?

The current players on the roster are a bit underwhelming, which is a problem because whoever starts will see a lot of passes thrown his way based on the number of times QB Aaron Rodgers has targeted the tight end position over the past few seasons.

Feel for @JermichaelF88 in wanting to play, but know firsthand how (admirably) conservative GB medical staff is concerning head/neck.
— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) July 17, 2014

A lot has been written about TE Jermichael Finley, who may be medically cleared to play by at least some NFL teams, but he still has to decide whether to accept one of the modest offers he's received or retire and collect his insurance money. While Finley was in Green Bay last week, it doesn't appear that he met with any member of the Packers other than the team's doctor.

The starting job still appears to be a battle between rookie TE Richard Rodgers and the recently re-signed TE Andrew Quarless, though the position is wide open, which opens the door for someone like Brandon Bostick, if he has a strong preseason.

Because of the importance of the tight end in the passing game, the battle to determine who starts will have a big impact on how effective the offense might be next season.

Rodgers Thinks Packers Are Better With Finley

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers thinks the team is better with Jermichael Finley, he recently told Green Bay's WBAY-TV. 

In the quote, published today by Cheesehead TV, Rodgers opines that the Pack "are better with Jermichael on it," immediately after also saying that #88 improves the NFL.

Rodgers and Finley, two Super Bowl XLV champions who have spent their entire careers with the Packers, have been teammates since 2008, when Finley first joined the club as a rookie out of Texas.

Since then, the duo has helped the organization put together a 61-34-1 record, something that'll probably make them want to stay together, as consistently winning is a feat most guys only dream of achieving.

Finley Claims He Doesn't Care About the Money in Recent Q&A

To some people following his situation, why Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley may want to keep playing instead of just collecting a $10 million insurance policy is confusing.

Finley, a 27-year-old who's currently recovering from the neck injury he suffered last season, could retire now and get paid a lot, yet for some reason is still considering continuing to work.

Well, in a Q&A with USA Today earlier this week, that reason was finally revealed, with #88 claiming that it "ain't about the money."

In recent years, Finley has made $8.25 million annually with the Packers, so yes, I'd imagine he's telling the truth here, as the policy he's been offered probably isn't all that amazing for someone of his income level.

Finley to Undergo More Medical Tests; Will Send Results to All 32 Teams

Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley will undergo more medical tests tomorrow and send the results to all 32 teams, USA Today's Tom Pelissaro reports. 

According to Pelissaro, Finley is looking to lock up a roster spot before training camp, something that'll probably make additional clubs interested. 

Currently, the longtime Packer is recovering from a severe neck injury he suffered last season, the reason why he might just end up taking a $10 million insurance policy this fall instead. 

Either way, this news is definitely worth our attention, as positive exams here could really help out Finley's financial state in the near future. 

2014 Starting TE Job Still "Wide Open"

The Packers 2014 starting TE job is still "wide open," team assistant Jerry Fontenot recently told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

According to Fontenot, Green Bay will have a better idea of who should get the position come Training Camp, although for now nobody is favored. 

Currently, the Pack's main two candidates for the role seem to be veteran Andrew Quarless and rookie Richard Rodgers, although FA Jermichael Finley could always find a way back in, as he's recovering pretty fast from the neck injury he suffered last season.

Ex-Oregon Duck Colt Lyerla's name has also occasionally come up as a possibility.

Finley Working Hard to Return to Packer Nation

So far this offseason, Jermichael Finley hasn't done much.

The longtime Packers Tight End, currently a free agent after undergoing spinal surgery, was medically cleared by his personal doctor and talked to by the Patriots last month, the last action he really saw.

Still, Finley's apparently pretty confident about his future right now, telling ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde earlier today that he's "working hard to return to Packer Nation."

Now obviously, that quote doesn't prove anything, although it's definitely interesting to notice that it implies a wanting to come back to Green Bay, an idea previously considered dead by some.

Who Will Start At Tight End for the Packers?

This recent mailbag on ESPN discussed a few interesting topics, and the one regarding the starting tight end position got my attention because I was just discussing that topic with a colleague.

Mailbag: Talking starting jobs at TE, S http://t.co/YapH2LDRCX
— Brandon Benson (@AcmeBrandon) July 8, 2014

Rob Demovsky's opinion is that if rookie TE Richard Rodgers "continues to show the ability to catch the ball down the field like he did this offseason, then he will be the starter." I'm not expecting much from the TE position in 2014, and I don't disagree with his assessment that Rodgers could be the starter, but I find it depressing.

In pre-draft evaluations, Rodgers came across as a finesse athlete who could be a sneaky weapon as a No. 2 TE, and compared him to TE Garrett Graham, who isn't much of a receiver. It was also noted that Rodgers would on occasion drop an easy reception.

His main competition is TE Andrew Quarless, who hasn't impressed so far in his NFL career. He could be an identical player; someone who isn't much of a blocker with the occasional drop. I'm still expecting Quarless to win the starting job because of his experience alone though I'm not expecting much from either one of them this preseason.

It's been reported that TE Jermichael Finley is healthy, but several weeks have passed since that report and you'd expect he'd have been signed somewhere if every team was convinced it was true. It's possible the Packers could re-sign him, but it feels like they've moved on.

As much as TE Colt Lyerla fascinates me, he's an unlikely candidate to earn a starting job and he's got to secure a roster spot first. I don't know how TE Ryan Taylor has kept a roster spot for three years (is it because he's the back-up long-snapper?) and TE Jake Stoneburner looks like Taylor v.2.0. Maybe TE Brandon Bostick will show more in his second season and I haven't yet seen undrafted rookie TE Justin Perillo play.

The Packers have so much offensive firepower at wide receiver and running back that they can afford to go with a second (or third, fourth) tier TE. Maybe it's good to keep my expectations so low that one of them will surprise me this preseason. But it remains a weakened position that shouldn't be expected to carry much of a load in 2014.

Packers TE Bostick Determined to Start This Season

With Jermichael Finley's departure now a definite possibility, some unknown guys on the Packers' depth chart are now getting their big chance.

Among those soon-to-be everyday names is TE Brandon Bostick, who recently told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that starting this year is his number one goal.

For the past two seasons, the first of his career, Bostick has gotten next to no playing time, possibly making this year's training camp a defining moment in his career.

As of now, Bostick is a little overweight, although the way he's talking doesn't seem to portray that as a big deal, as Bostick's main obstacle is probably overcoming Richard Rodgers.

I guess we'll see how he does in the coming weeks.

Packers Tight Ends Ready to Move On From Finley

As of now, it's unknown whether or not Jermichael Finley will play another game with the Packers. 

The veteran TE, currently an Unrestricted Free Agent, could sign with any team in the upcoming months, making the fact that the Pack have left his locker alone a little strange.

Still, the Tight Ends the team knows will be on the roster come August are ready to move on from Finley, something sophomore Jake Stoneburner recently revealed to the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel.

No, Stoneburner didn't hate on #88, although he did say the team is beginning to acknowledge what could happen: Finley's departure. 

In other words, a turning point seems to have been reached this offseason, as the problem now shifts from Finley's injury to his future team.

Steelers, Raiders Reportedly Showing Interest in Finley

The Steelers and Raiders are beginning to show interest in Free Agent Tight End Jermichael Finley, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

While Oakland is definitely still a possibility, Rapoport adds that the Steelers have already had Finley visit, even going as far as to medically clear him.

Despite that, whether or not #88 will actually sign with Pittsburgh is currently unknown, as the veteran is rumored to come with a high asking price. 

Finley, the Packers Tight End of six seasons, suffered a severe spine injury Week 7 of last year, causing him to miss the rest of the season.

Seahawks Reportedly Done Pursuing Finley

The Seahawks have decided to stop pursuing Free Agent Tight End Jermichael Finley, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports. 

Finley, a six-year veteran who had a deal with Seattle earlier this offseason disbanded after he failed a physical, was cleared by his personal doctor Thursday, making a few other teams (most notably the Packers, Giants, and Patriots) join the sweepstakes for him.

Despite that, the Hawks just don't seem to be interested in giving the veteran the high price he's asking for, which makes sense considering that Finley's NFL future (or personal future for that matter) is currently a mystery.

Finley Receives Medical Clearance From Personal Doctor

Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley, coming off a meeting with the Packers yesterday, has received medical clearance from his personal doctor in an unrelated event, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports. 

Dr. James Maroon, who performed surgery on Finley's spine earlier this offseason, is the one who gave #88 the ok, according to his agent.

Still, this doesn't mean much to what will happen to Finley in the future, as team doctors are the ones who ultimately make the call.

Finley, who will have another meeting with an unknown team tomorrow, has yet to be cleared by anyone this offseason, so in the end, this is a step in the right direction for him, regardless of what it actually becomes.

Finley to Meet With Packers' Doctors Today

Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley will meet with Packers team doctors today regarding the current state of his neck injury, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.

Lately, Finley has sent out multiple tweets about his rehab, possibly the reason for this happening.

Still, according to Demovsky, nothing about this implies that the veteran is close to getting a contract, much less being cleared to play.

Finley, who has spent each of his six NFL seasons with the Packers, suffered the severe injury Week 7 of last year, a game Green Bay won over the Browns, 31-13.

Since then, #88 has come and gone out of the public's eye, reaching an agreement on a one-year deal with the Seahawks earlier this offseason.

However, that contract quickly fell apart after Finley failed his physical, causing him to wait for this moment now, his chance to show the Packers how his health has improved. 

Overall, the odds of this meeting turning out positive for both sides seem unlikely, although, in my opinion, it's still definitely something worth our attention. 

Yes, the injury is serious, but that doesn't mean that Finley recovering from it's impossible. Sooner or later, I'd imagine he'll be back on the field, with or without medical clearance from today.

Report: No Change in Finley's Medical Status Despite Recent Tweets

On Thursday, Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley sent out a very convincing tweet.

The injured veteran, still without a team as training camp nears, has yet to be cleared to play this offseason, yet is still constantly in the news. 

This tweet didn't change that.

"Awesome News!" Finley wrote. "#IWillRiseAgain."

It wasn't long or detailed by any means, but it was definitely something to see.

Howevever, according to ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky, the message doesn't mean anything, as Finley's medical status has apparently not changed.

"I can tell you that after talking to several people about the matter after those tweets, that there has been no change in either his medical clearance or his contractual status with the Packers," Demovsky stated. "Until the former changes, meaning the Packers' doctors give him the OK to return to the field, nothing will happen with the latter."

Finley, who has played for Green Bay for the last six seasons, has been the center of these kind of rumors since suffering his neck injury back in Week 7, with this just being the latest. In other words, most if not all of these positive reports aren't true, something #88's doctors seem to agree on.

Finley still a Packer to HC Mike McCarthy

To most Packers fans, the days of Jermichael Finley are over.

The veteran Tight End, still rehabing from the horrific neck injury he suffered last season, agreed to a contract with the Seahawks earlier this offseason, yet had it revoked after failing his physical.

Due to that, many NFL enthusiasts have begun to assume that Finley will never play again, although Green Bay Head Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't appear to agree.

"In my mind, (Finley) is a Green Bay Packer hopefully and he is going through a tough medical situation," McCarthy told Sirius XM NFL Radio."To my understanding, he is doing everything and beyond to get ready and we will continue to watch that."

In my opinion, having a healthy #88 back this fall would be nice, although really, I don't think it's necessary. After Finley got hurt last year, Andrew Quarless played pretty well, and, considering that Richard Rodgers is also on the roster now, I don't see a reason to go into 2014 with our heads down. The team's fine. Finley or not, I have no doubt in my mind they'll win at least 12 games in the upcoming season, even though I probably shouldn't at this time of year.

Thompson: Drafting Rodgers not connected to Finley

While Jermichael Finley's NFL future is currently unclear, there is one aspect of his drama that I consider to be a safe bet: that the Packers don't want to let him go. 

Finley, who suffered a severe, possibly career-ending spine/neck injury in last season's Week 7 win over the Browns, caught 223 passes for 2,785 yards during his six seasons with the team, making him a fan favorite and one of the most feared Tight Ends in the league. 

2013's event, unfortunately, brought that all to a grinding halt, forcing Green Bay to look elsewhere for #88's successor. 

During last weekend's draft, they appear to have finally found him in Cal's Richard Rodgers, although General Manager Ted Thompson insists the two are unrelated. 

“I don’t necessarily think the two are tied at all,” Thompson told the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein earlier this week. “We were just trying to pick a good player.”

While what Thompson says could be true, I'm not necessarily going to buy it. Had Finley stayed healthy throughout last season, it seems unlikely that the team would look for another TE the way they did, especially since they seem to have such bigger needs elsewhere.

Dolphins to target Finley if he's given medical clearance

The Dolphins will target Injured Free Agent Tight End Jermichael Finley if he's given medical clearance, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports. This probably won't happen, as Finley's neck being healed right now is an almost definite no, but still, it's certainly something to think about. 

Anyway, the team's pursuing of Finley wouldn't be aggressive by any means, as it would apparently only come with "low-dollars, low-risk" contact offers, but again, this is something to think about. Another team is kinda interested in the former Packer, meaning that he's obviously still got some stuff left to offer in their eyes.

Finley to get an MRI next week

Injured Free Agent Tight End Jermichael Finley will get an MRI on his neck next week, ESPN's Josina Anderson reports. The results of the procedure, which will be done by Dr. Joseph Maroon of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be given to interested teams, the Packers included. 

So yea, I guess we have another thing to wait for here. Finley's been hurt all offseason, but if he's showing enough progress to be given another test then I guess something good must be happening with him. Who knows? Maybe he's almost completely healed. It's unlikely, but it could still happen, couldn't it?