The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... If there's any doubt that Finley will be back in a Packers uniform this season, it was all but eliminated when HC Mike McCarthy talked about his hopes for the TE in the future. McCarthy, speaking Sunday afternoon at the NFL owners meetings, once again praised Finley and the job he did the second half of the season. "He had expectations like we all do get the best of us," McCarthy said. "I think his individual expectations and then the injury (left shoulder), I really think the bye week he had an opportunity to step away and change some things. He was a different guy. He was focused and productive in the second half of the season."

Diehards Line: After the bye week, Finley caught 37 of 49 passes thrown his way for 441 yards and a touchdown. He dropped fewer balls and ran better after the catch. Missing from his game, however, was a breakout game with more than 100 yards receiving. ... After talking about how much Finley had changed after the bye week, McCarthy was asked what he saw Finley's roll being next season, especially given the loss of WR Greg Jennings. McCarthy said his expectations are high, but his plans for Finley are going to be different. Rather than making him play just about everywhere a tight end can go, he's leaning on simplifying his role and focusing more on the things he does really well. In a sense, that is a theme McCarthy seems to be employing this off-season: cut down on the number of plays and make those that he keeps better. ... Meanwhile, Finley is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 27. If the Packers pay that, it means they're serious about keeping him around at his current price.