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GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers tight end Jermichael Finley wants no part of his agent's recent comments regarding NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Finley's agent, Blake Baratz, called Rodgers' leadership into question through a series of posts on his Twitter account.
The barrage of tweets actually began with Baratz criticizing Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, writing "U sound like a 6 yr old who just had his animal crackers taken. Quit being a bitch, own up." Baratz then added, "There's a major difference & drop off in leadership from Manning, Brees, Brady, to the next best QB's in the league. Cutler doesn't get it."
When a Packers fan asked Baratz why Rodgers was not on his list of quarterbacks with elite leadership skills, he replied, "ARod is a great QB he isn't a great leader. There's a major difference. Leaders take the blame & make every1 better. He doesn't."
Baratz made it clear that his comments were just his opinion and that Finley had nothing to do with it. However, with the Packers back at practice Tuesday for the first time since their Thursday night win over the Bears, Finley did not meet with the media to discuss the situation.
In a text message to FOXSportsWisconsin.com, Finley said he did not want to comment.
Finley did post a message on his Twitter account, writing, "@AaronRodgers12 is our leader, period. ... Family can disagree it makes us all stronger." On Monday night, Finley also tweeted, "u should all b so lucky 2 have some1 like Blake (agent) in ur life. He's helped me in more ways that I would expect any1 2 understand."
Though Finley did not address it with the media, Packers wide receiver James Jones – who was berated by Rodgers during the Bears game after the two miscommunicated on a second-half interception -- was asked whether it's fair to question Rodgers' leadership.
"For people to question his leadership is ridiculous," Jones said. "He's a natural-born leader, not just by what he says but how he carries himself, how he plays the game, how he handles certain situations. Everybody in this locker room looks up to him as a leader. Everybody in this locker room believes in him."
In other tweets from Baratz since his original comment about Rodgers, he has attempted to clarify his definition of leader.
"(Michael) Jordan was a great player, terrible teammate, terrible leader," Baratz posted in a response to a follower on Twitter. "There's a great diff b/t gr8 players & leaders."
Baratz did state repeatedly that he believes Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL.
"Arod isn't a bad leader, there's just a diff b/t him & Brees, Brady, etc," Baratz tweeted. "4 the 10th time I actually believe AROD is the best QB in football, I never said a word abt talent."
Later, Baratz replied to another person on Twitter, writing, "besides winning football games, what has (Rodgers) done to show this great leadership that u speak about?"
On Tuesday afternoon, Baratz posted four tweets as a "last comment" to the fallout from his statements regarding Rodgers.
"I apologize 2 (Finley) because he had nothing 2 do w MY comments or opinions," Baratz posted on Twitter. "I understand the power of social media and how it can be taken in & out of context. Again, I will apologize for that. I will always own up 2 my own opinions, I have no reason 2 hide from them, but please always understand, they're mine & mine only, & lastly, I hope u tune into the Blog because 140 characters is just not enough. Life's too short ppl, gotta relax a bit."
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