Jermichael Finley burst onto the scene in 2009 with a playoff game for the ages. Finley had six receptions for 159 yards, including several big plays down the field when the Packers needed to make a play. Since then he has tormented fans with inconsistent play and behavioral issues, but have these issues been overblown?

The first sign of Finley being out of line came around the time of Super Bowl XLV. The Packers were taking a team photo, as all teams do before the Super Bowl and had not planned to include the players that were placed on injured reserve during the season. Finley and Packers linebacker Nick Barnett were outspoken about the issue saying they wanted to be included in the photo. This story went on for approximately a day before quarterback Aaron Rodgers among others requested that those players be included in the photo as well. Was this incident annoying? Probably, but this is hardly evident of a player being a cancer.

The 2012 season began with Finley’s agent making waves. When Jay Cutler’s leadership came under fire after bumping left tackle J’Marcus Webb,  Blake Baratz decided to take to twitter to discuss how he felt about Aaron Rodgers’ leadership capabilities. Among other things Baratz said was that Rodgers was a good quarterback, but not a good leader and that there’s a difference between the two. If another player’s agent said these things, it may be a non-issue. Since it was Finley, fans exploded, demanding his release or trade immediately.

In addition to his agent’s comments Finley commented about his chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. These incidents are often brought up as an attempt to label Finley as a cancer. If however, you examine the whole quote instead of just the headline, it reveals a lot more than what is just on the surface. Finley was not only forward, but accountable. The quote read, “I need the quarterback on my side, and I need to catch the ball when he throws it to me.” Most were willing to read the first part of the quote, as a way to say that Finley was trying to criticize Aaron Rodgers for the lack of chemistry between the two. What went ignored was the second part where Finley was taking responsibility for some of the drops that have tormented him throughout his short career.  This was noticed by some, but not nearly as many as there should have been. This quote only augmented the idea that Finley does not belong in the Packers locker room.

A third issue deals with Finley’s on field celebrations. Finley is a player who is charismatic, and excited about playing football. When he catches a pass for a first-down he signals for it with his “Fin” celebration. When he catches a touchdown he signals “YOTTO” for his motto of the season, “Year of the Takeover”. Players celebrating for scoring touchdowns or pointing first down are nothing new. Recently retired Packers receiver Donald Driver was famous for his trademark first-down celebrations. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers when he rushes for a touchdown puts on a championship belt, Clay Matthews flexes his biceps every time he sacks the opposing quarterback.

Finley’s detractors will say his production does not justify him celebrating, while the previously mentioned players’ production does.  Others will say that Tom Crabtree, or D.J. Williams could do the same thing Finley does. On the surface that may appear to be true. Finley has been plagued by drops, with 11 in 2011, and nine in 2012. Of Finley’s nine drops in 2012 only two came after the halfway point of the season. Many forget that despite his time in the NFL, Finley is only 25 years-old, and perhaps his end of season was an epiphany that many young players have when they come into maturity. Despite Finley’s struggles, he still set the franchise record for receptions in a season by a tight end. Over the last two seasons Finley has averaged 58 receptions, 717 yards and five touchdowns.  These are hardly the numbers of an unproductive player that needs to be replaced by the likes of Crabtree or Williams.

The most recent news that broke was that Finley was unwilling to take a pay cut for the 2013 season. The headline read as such, but much like the earlier quote on chemistry with Rodgers, the facts outweigh the spin on the story. When asked whether he’d be willing to take a pay cut Finley said, “I’d have to walk for sure, meaning I couldn’t take a pay cut, maybe I’d restructure if it’s a deal that I like and it makes sense, but I’m not the guy that’s just going to sign anything and let anything pass.” Once again many read the first part of the quote and say Finley is unwilling to be a team player, completely ignoring the second part of the quote. Taking a pay cut in a contract year would not make business sense for Finley, but the second part of the quote says Finley may be willing to sign long term. He said he would be willing to restructure if it’s a deal that he likes, and makes sense. That part of his quote says he is willing to stay here for the long haul, and would be willing to take less money than the 8.25 million he is scheduled to make in 2013.

Jermichael Finley is an exciting player that may or may not be in Green Bay in 2013. Finley, along with being one of the most talented players on the Packers, is also one of the most misunderstood. His antics may get under the skin of some fans, but calling him a team cancer is entirely unjustified.