What Should The Packers Do With Driver?

[Smeefers]

If one were to ask Driver whether he'd rather be the #5 WR on Green Bay's depth chart or a #3 on someone elses depth chart, I have a pretty good feeling that Driver would choose to stay in Green Bay. Moreover, I don't think Green Bay could find a WR as talented as Driver that would accept such a role. I think it's mutually beneficial to both parties to restructure Driver's contract and give him every opportunity to make this football team, even as a #5.

Unfortunately a #5 isn't just relegated to sitting on the side line and cashing a check. They're Special teams players. I don't really understand why we try and number our WR's. Everyone on the squad expected to know every position. Next year Jennings and Nelson will always be on the field and the other three will get equal shares of playing time, just like this year. Need a hard 3rd down? Driver in the slot. Want a big play 1st down? Cobb in the slot. Want a good 1-1 match up on the outside? James Jones goes up the sideline.

[Brandon494]

As much as we use our 5 WR set and as good as a teammate that Driver is I'm surprised that flat out releasing him is leading in the poll. He obviously isnt the same player he once was but still had 7 TDs on the season. I'll take Driver matched up against any teams 4th CB any day of the week.

[Smeefers]

As much as we use our 5 WR set and as good as a teammate that Driver is I'm surprised that flat out releasing him is leading in the poll. He obviously isnt the same player he once was but still had 7 TDs on the season. I'll take Driver matched up against any teams 4th CB any day of the week.

If you add the people who want to keep him with the people who want to restructure, they have a slim lead, but I'm surprised it's that close.

[Gunakor]

Unfortunately a #5 isn't just relegated to sitting on the side line and cashing a check. They're Special teams players.

Randall Cobb is our return man whether he's #5 on the depth chart or #1. Does not matter. There are plenty of others that have filled key special teams roles while in the starting lineup. Charles Woodson and Greg Jennings come to mind, and those are just recent examples of Packers. I remember Derrick Mason returning kicks as Baltimore's #1 WR. So just because Driver is sitting at the bottom of the depth chart doesn't mean he needs to return kicks. And just because Cobb is near the top of it doesn't mean he can't.

I don't really understand why we try and number our WR's.

Because they are numbered on the depth chart. When I say #5, I'm talking about the player whose name is at the very bottom of that chart. Doesn't matter how often or in what manner they are used, they are still #5.

[sharpe1027]

Resign him for less and bring him into camp. After that, it's the same for nearly every player on the team, you still need to make the team with your play on and off the field. Whether or not he can still do that is an open question. His past year was not bad for a backup WR, but for Driver it represents a significant dropoff. It may signal he's at the edge of the cliff in terms of age and ability. He might fall off the cliff next year.

[bobblehead]

Release him. Hanging onto aging players turns you into the Steelers...a team that looks like a MASH unit by the end of the year. Take Clifton as an example...the guy might still be able to play when healthy, but he can't stay healthy for more than 3 games at a time it seems.

Cobb's ceiling is now higher than Driver's going forward. He should be the #4 WR...and there is NO excuse for putting an old guy like Driver in the #5 slot.

You thank Driver profusely...you wish him well...and you move on. Tell him he has an entry level coaching job in Green Bay whenever he wants it. You will never find out how good Cobb or Gurley or someone else is if you keep Driver in front of them.

Really? Comparing a LT to a WR is like comparing a porn star to my grandpa. Cliffy still has immense value. He played outstanding in the Giants game. Not many guys can do that. However, a lot of young guys can play WR as well as driver at this point and its time to move on. Love him, but its time.

[bobblehead]

If one were to ask Driver whether he'd rather be the #5 WR on Green Bay's depth chart or a #3 on someone elses depth chart, I have a pretty good feeling that Driver would choose to stay in Green Bay. Moreover, I don't think Green Bay could find a WR as talented as Driver that would accept such a role. I think it's mutually beneficial to both parties to restructure Driver's contract and give him every opportunity to make this football team, even as a #5.

He has played this very role the last 2 years. Do you really think Jennings and Jordy benefit from having him around anymore? Cobb can get as much out of Jennings at this point (he is a veteran now) as he will out of Driver. Its time. Old Yeller was a tear jerker and we can be sad, but he had to be put down.

[Scott Campbell]

I'll take Driver matched up against any teams 4th CB any day of the week.

Ok, but he's getting paid like a guy who's supposed to destroy #1 and #2 CB's.

[Brandon494]

Ok, but he's getting paid like a guy who's supposed to destroy #1 and #2 CB's.

I understand that but I think we can restructure his deal, if he refuses then of course you cut him.

[Gunakor]

He has played this very role the last 2 years. Do you really think Jennings and Jordy benefit from having him around anymore? Cobb can get as much out of Jennings at this point (he is a veteran now) as he will out of Driver. Its time. Old Yeller was a tear jerker and we can be sad, but he had to be put down.

It's not about his mentoring of the young guys. It's about he'd be the best #5 WR in football. Look at most teams in the league. Look at the worst WR on those teams. Driver is better than all of them. So if he's willing to stick around and be the bottom guy on the depth chart then I see no better alternative for that position.

[Gunakor]

Ok, but he's getting paid like a guy who's supposed to destroy #1 and #2 CB's.

I'll defer to Ted as far as the finances go. He may be overpaid but if it isn't a cap concern then who gives a shit.

[MJZiggy]

You guys are absolutely nuts. You don't just get rid of Donald freaking Driver. You do everything in your power to keep him just like he does everything in his power to stay. Even at his age, he is still a finely conditioned athlete who is still willing to make plays others are afraid of. He will be in camp. And he will be worth keeping. DD is one of those guys who will go straight from playing to coaching and damn I hope he transitions to coaching here. This isn't Madden, people. Thank God for Ted.

[Patler]

Driver has less of a chance of being in GB next season than Clifton does, and I doubt Clifton will be back.

[Pugger]

You guys are absolutely nuts. You don't just get rid of Donald freaking Driver. You do everything in your power to keep him just like he does everything in his power to stay. Even at his age, he is still a finely conditioned athlete who is still willing to make plays others are afraid of. He will be in camp. And he will be worth keeping. DD is one of those guys who will go straight from playing to coaching and damn I hope he transitions to coaching here. This isn't Madden, people. Thank God for Ted.

I'm fond of Driver too but unless he takes a pay cut he won't be back in 2012. If he returns next season he'll be down the depth chart and so his pay will reflect that. If Donald won't take a pay cut/restructure of his salary he will be playing somewhere else this fall.

[Patler]

You guys are absolutely nuts. You don't just get rid of Donald freaking Driver. You do everything in your power to keep him just like he does everything in his power to stay. Even at his age, he is still a finely conditioned athlete who is still willing to make plays others are afraid of. He will be in camp. And he will be worth keeping. DD is one of those guys who will go straight from playing to coaching and damn I hope he transitions to coaching here. This isn't Madden, people. Thank God for Ted.

Is it worth paying him $2 million just to bring him to camp? That is his roster bonus that is due in March. If he is willing to be released and re-signed, maybe you bring him back, but I really don't see why at this point. His performance has declined significantly the last two years, to the point that the Giants were content using a linebacker to cover him. Time to move on.

Probably the same goes for Clifton, but the decision on him can wait because I don't believe he has any significant off season payments due. They might need Clifton, depending on how quickly Sherrod heals.