Pompei Aboard The YOTTO Express
Dan Pompei is a believer when it comes to Packers tight end Jermichael Finley.
By PackerAaron
Last week on Packer Transplants, Jermichael Finley told us that "YOTTO", a saying he's been using liberally on his Twitter account, stood for Year Of The Takeover.
At least one member of the national media is on board.
Dan Pompei, who has covered the league for over 25 years and who now writes for our friends over at the National Football Post, calls Finley "perhaps the league’s most difficult player to match up with."
From his post:
This year, the Packers plan on moving Finley more than they did in the past because he’s more comfortable with the playbook. He said he prefers being flexed five yards from the tackle because it creates more advantageous matchups.
Finley already has seen virtually every possible coverage, and he says he is ready for anything. Especially a man-to-man matchup. “I ain’t run across no killer who gets after me yet,” he said. “I’m down for a matchup. It’s all in my personality. I’ll get nasty with them for sure.”
As I've been telling anyone who'll listen: Finley will not only emerge as one of the premiere playmakers in the NFL this season, he has a chance to be the best tight end ever to wear a Packers uniform.
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Comments (15)
September 08, 2010 at 11:05 am
"the best tight end ever to wear a Packers uniform."
How one ranks them? Coffman at the top? Just a question.
And speaking of which, Chase, the son, is a FA. I know, crowded spot already...
September 08, 2010 at 11:06 am
I couldn't agree more! J-mike is gonna have a monster year! I've been ranting & raving about him since we drafted him!
September 08, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Too often I think we all nit pick TT for not getting rid of Bush, drafting a olb, or other minutia. We forget to acknowledge that he has drafted some really good players. Finley, Rodgers, Collins and Matthews all have a chance to be the best players in football at their respective positions for the next five years.
September 08, 2010 at 12:30 pm
When he's on the field, the Packers offense is as close to unstoppable as you can get. Without him, the offense doesn't look the same.
If he can stay healthy, there is no reason he can't be the best tight end in the league.
September 08, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Aaron,
Looks like you've backed off some from your Appleton radio interview ....... Didn't you say best TE in the history of the NFL? .......
Being the best Packer TE in history really isn't all that great ....... You have Chmura, Coffman & Franks all with 3 PB appearances ...... All TGIF has to do is break 56 Rec. & 814 yards in a season & he's already top man ......
Barring injury ...... TGIF could be top-dog (Packers) after 2010.
PackerAaron
September 08, 2010 at 01:14 pm
Go listen again - Cory Jennerjohn jumps in AS I'M SAYING "...in Packers history" ;)
September 08, 2010 at 02:06 pm
I'll check asap .... Thanks.
September 08, 2010 at 03:37 pm
Coffman, Keith Jackson, maybe Chewy. Ed "The Toolbox" West!
September 08, 2010 at 01:12 pm
Finley is an incredible athlete. He is a premier playmaker. My sincere hope is that he is on his way to being a T.O. Lots of talk, and when he follows with performance he is going to hold out and whine like a baby.
I'm thankful for Quarless, who I hope can be Finley's replacement, and we can send him off, to be someone else's problem in a year or two.
If all this Super Bowl talk spirals down with key injuries or other bad breaks; he'll be back to yammering about not enough looks or "they don't know how to use me".
September 08, 2010 at 01:13 pm
No, don't hope to be a T.O.; hope for success. THEN be wary of becoming T.O.
September 08, 2010 at 03:07 pm
In my mind the Packers have a pretty close knit, tight group of good level headed guys. Its my hope that Finley can achieve greatness and still remain an extremely confident yet grounded player. With guys like Driver, Jennings, Rodgers and Grant sharing the field and locker room with him, you gotta believe they can offer support and guidance and keep Jmikes head from exploding.
I really don't see it as an issue. Since MM has come in, it seems that most people understand their roles and whats expected of them on and off the field. Except maybe that Jolly guy.
September 08, 2010 at 03:30 pm
there were several great players in SF when TO hatched.
September 08, 2010 at 09:01 pm
Let's not try too hard to look for something to complain about, shall we. We have 1 or 2 comments made by an immature 21 year old. How about we wait to hitch him up to TO until we see some real evidence of it.
September 09, 2010 at 12:28 am
You've been telling anyone who'll listen? Who exactly isn't listening. I think most fans have been thinking that about Finley for quite some time.
PackerAaron
September 09, 2010 at 12:56 am
I took untold amounts of grief last offseason.