Breakout Perfomers: Jermichael Finley

Heading into the 2011 season, Jermichael Finley didn’t quite perform as we expected. In the final year of his contract, coming off the injured reserve and not having an off-season to prepare, he was under intense scrutiny by fans--especially for dropped passes. But facts are facts, 55 receptions, 767 yards and 8TDs is a solid season for any tight end.

Although the career-high catches last season was good enough to get him a two-year extension, Finley is focused and ready to take the next step in his game this year. “If you go over the years I’ve done well,” Finley notes, “we had an offseason program, we had minicamps, we had training camps. So, we had three processes that we were going through for us to get the chemistry. This year, I feel it and it’s going to be a good one. I guarantee it.”

Jermichael looks at the criticism as fuel to, as he says, “perfect the imperfect.” His offseason training focused on getting faster, stronger and smarter. A second Super Bowl championship is realistic if Finley can unleash his enormous potential.

Finley has proven he can play at a high level. He is motivated, focused on football and confident in his chemistry with Rogers. So relax and enjoy this season, Packer fans. His evolution into one of the NFL’s premier tight ends is just starting.