Here is an article that take a pretty interesting angle on Finley and the possibility of franchising him. Potentially, he could argue that he is a WR and not a TE based on the number of snaps he takes split out from the line. If he were to succeed with that argument, it would change is franchise number from about $5.5 million to about $9.5 million.
I still think they only franchise him long enough to work out a longer deal. With Grant's money coming off the books, Ted likely moving on from Clifton and possibly even Driver, there should be enough money to get deals done for Wells and Finley. The bigger issue is whether or not they can leave enough for Raji and Matthews in 2013.
Assuming Rotoworld's contract info is accurate...
Current cap space: $7.5 million
Grant: $2.5 million
Clifton: $5.25 million
Driver: $2.6 million
Rough Total: $17.85 million (depending on what the cap moves to next year)
That said, there's a reason I'm not an NFL GM
I'm sure Ted will make the right call.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...oming-between-finley-packers/#comment-1376374