Decoding the McGinn Article…. “Use of tag on Jennings possible”

By Geoff Verges



So I’m sitting here reading Mr. McGinn’s article in today’s issue of the Journal Sentinel.  2/25/2013 edition.

I read some interesting things, some of which I understand, some of which I do not.  I’m hoping for some help in decoding the article.

#1,  “General manager Ted Thompson and vice president Russ Ball are giving consideration to using the franchise-player tag on wide receiver Greg Jennings, which was reported Sunday by NFL.com.”

#2, “The Journal Sentinel also learned that the Packers remain torn about the future of polarizing tight end Jermichael Finley.”

Okay, these are the two main thoughts in the article.

Decode #1, tagging Greg Jennings, was something that was always a possibility; a possibility that may have become more of a reality with the release of Charles Woodson.  No problem there.

Decode #2 is much more difficult.  Mostly because of an earlier piece that Mr. McGinn did.

In a past article McGinn on Fin, McGinn writes “Sources familiar with the Packers' thinking say the club not only wants to get rid of Finley but has decided to do exactly that in the off-season.”
In today’s article, “The Journal Sentinel also learned that the Packers remain torn about the future of polarizing tight end Jermichael Finley.”   Sources also indicated that “Thompson and the coaching staff appear to favor keeping Finley, while other people within the organization, including members of the personnel department, favor his release.”
So we went from an article saying the Packers have decided to move on from Finley to remaining torn about his future.
In trying to decode the double talk, I think the key lies in the “sources”.  In the older article, it talks about “sources familiar with the Packers’ thinking”.  Now it is citing coaching staff and personnel department members.  I probably have to think we are better off believing the recent quotes as they are people employed by the team.
But just who are the people involved?  That to me is the key.  Mike McCarthy is on record as wanting Finley back (coaching staff).  According to the article, Thompson wants him back too.  But it seems to me like Thompson has given no public statement to confirm or deny this line of thinking.
So who is left that could make up “members of the personnel department”?  Russ Ball?  Elliot Wolf?  Alonzo Highsmith?  Tim Terry?  Who else has any real say in the organization?  Would Murphy have a say-so in this matter?  And ultimately, do they carry enough pull to override the coaches?

Decode #2, time will tell.  And it will tell who has power in the organization.  I have to believe that McCarthy and some of his coaches would like their pass catching tight end back next year, if not longer.  And I have to believe that some scouts and other prominent people in the organization would like to move on from the controversial and highly paid Finley.  And I have to believe that ultimately, it is Ted Thompson’s call.   And as usual, his actions will occur before he says much of anything.