Packers, Finley agree to new deal: Solving one of their potential free-agency problems in advance, the Green Bay Packers signed tight end Jermichael Finley to a two-year contract. This past season was easily Finley’s best as a pro — he played in all 16 games for the first time in four years and set career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns while tying a career high in receptions. Fantasy owners will surely lament the inconsistency and dropped passes, but the former Texas standout finished the season as the sixth-highest fantasy scorer at his position. Now that he’s definitely returning to one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, Finley will again be a viable No. 1 TE option who should come off the board in the middle rounds of most fantasy drafts.

Lions’ Best recovering well: Lions coach Jim Schwartz is once again reminding people that running back Jahvid Best is in Detroit’s plans for 2012. Schwartz told a reporter that everything looks good for Best as he returns from concussion symptoms that forced him to miss the final 10 games of the season. The coach might have to forgive fantasy owners if they approach the third-year running back with skepticism. While he has shown signs that he can be an NFL playmaker — especially with his performance at the start of the 2011 season — there will are lingering concerns about his ability to remain healthy for an entire 16-game campaign. Even the Lions seem to have trouble committing fully to Best; the team could go into training camp with Mikel Leshoure and Kevin Smith fighting for carries alongside the former Cal Bear. Until he proves otherwise, consider Best a No. 2 RB … at most.

Garrard says he’s ready to play: Former Jaguars QB David Garrard says his back is healthy and he’s ready to return to the NFL after sitting out all of 2011. While there are plenty of teams searching for quality quarterbacks, it’s hard to imagine Garrard finding an opportunity that will allow him to start right away. However, considering the rate at which NFL signal-callers have gone down to injury in recent years, it’s not impossible to imagine the veteran getting multiple starts in 2012. The issue will be finding a good fit for Garrard, fantasy-wise. Until that happens, he remains a guy to keep your eye on, but don’t rank him on your draft boards just yet.

– Marcas Grant

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