Don’t Be Surprised If the Green Bay Packers Release Donald Driver: Fan’s Take

[Smeefers]

That depends. Is Gurley going to become a star with said development, or is he going to be our #5 year after year like Brett Swain was? Because I'd let Swain rot on the PS for as long as he wants to be there before I'd give up Driver to open up a roster spot. Just because Gurley turned down a roster offer from the Vikings doesn't mean he's ever gonna be better than Driver.

You're knit picking one sentence out of the paragraph without using the context. Gurley was just a name thrown out there. You're trying to have your cake and eat it too. You have to develop young talent, and so you won't know if they'll be a Brett Swain or the next DD. The other option is to keep the aging vet, but you know for sure his shelf life is coming to its end. You're not preparing for the future. If DD was still in the prime of his career, then sure, it's a no brainer, but he's not. He only has a few years left. Sure he may be better than younger talent right now, but what about a year from now? 2?

I'll ask again, Are you willing to give up an up and coming reciever to keep an ageing veteran?
Would you bring in an aging veteran reciever and over pay him to ride the pine?

Man, I hate arguing for DD to be released, I just think it's the smart move. Yuck.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Driver is as good as gone, and it has little to do with money. There are four receivers that may be better than him already, and the Packers have two developmental receivers on the roster that they like in Gurley and Borel. That doesn't even include any possible draft picks.

[smuggler]

I like Driver, but if I know TT, he's going to be off our 53 come opening day. It's time.

[Pugger]

Or he'll take a pay cut and try to beat out the young and coming kids in TC. If he doesn't there are other teams out there that will welcome a vet like DD.

[Smidgeon]

Well, of course Ted knows better than us. I don't think he's going to deal with this shit storm until Driver's bags are already packed. All we can do is speculate so him not saying anything doesn't really bolster your argument.

I think we would have to sacrifice something to keep him. Cap space and a roster spot. Now, I understand that if nobody is using the money, why not give it to Driver. Unfortunately that's just bad business. Having cap space is imperative to growing the franchise with talent. Are you willing to give up an up and coming receiver to keep an ageing veteran? When does it come time to say that yes, Driver can help us now, but Gurley can help us out in 2014.

I also believe that the #5 wr spot is not where you want to have overpaid back ups sitting. I understand overpaying on a back up linebacker or DL or Lb or a highly paid nickel guy. They're going to see the field in a pretty regular rotation and having a solid replacement is crucial. The same cannot be said for the #5. Cobb barely saw the field last year, with 5 guys ahead of him who were getting way more reps and for a variety of reasons no one saw that as a problem. The same is not going to be said about Driver. Would you bring in an aging veteran and over pay him to play third string?

The biggest point I'd like to make is that Driver could be a #3 on 25 teams in the NFL. He could be a #2 on a large number as well. The problem is that he's getting paid like that right now. He still has gas in the tank, it's just that the needle just started hoovering around empty and it's a guessing game on when the car's going to die.

I don't think Driver at this stage in his career is someone you want to be the #2 or #3 receiver. He's lost a step and can't separate anymore. He could still be deadly in zones, but in today's NFL where teams are going three and four wide, I don't think you'd want him to be more than #4. Just my opinion. Now, that's not to say that there aren't 25 teams that could use him as a #3. But I bet the other 7 teams are the ones with the top 7 offenses in the NFL.

[pbmax]

Even though I am in the Donald is at Risk camp, I would like to remind everyone that the cap casualties everyone reports about every Spring usually stick around much longer than expected. Everyone knew Hawk was gone, everyone knew KGB was gone, everyone knew Chillar was gone (Poppinga too) but each came back into camp the next year. In the case of KGB, about 3 years in a row after it was first determined that they could not possibly afford him.

So I would be surprised but not stunned if Donald is smiling in camp next year.

[Patler]

Even though I am in the Donald is at Risk camp, I would like to remind everyone that the cap casualties everyone reports about every Spring usually stick around much longer than expected. Everyone knew Hawk was gone, everyone knew KGB was gone, everyone knew Chillar was gone (Poppinga too) but each came back into camp the next year. In the case of KGB, about 3 years in a row after it was first determined that they could not possibly afford him.

So I would be surprised but not stunned if Donald is smiling in camp next year.

None of the players you mentioned had significant bonuses due in the off season, except Hawk, and when that happened he was released and re-signed. The same could happen with Driver.

Other, not insignificant differences:
- The Packers seem to have their tightest cap situation since TT's first season.
- None of those you mentioned played positions as well-stocked as WR is right now.
- None of those you mentioned had reached an age where their performance should decline, if not fall off completely. KGB's performance eroded, but he was young enough that there was hope for his career to be revitalized. The same can't be said of Driver.

Bubba Franks, Nick Barnett,William Henderson, Donald Lee, Na'ill Diggs are all examples of just the opposite. Guys still under contract who should have been healthy for camp but were released by TT during the off season and not brought back for camp.

[pbmax]

None of the players you mentioned had significant bonuses due in the off season, except Hawk, and when that happened he was released and re-signed. The same could happen with Driver.

Other, not insignificant differences:
- The Packers seem to have their tightest cap situation since TT's first season.
- None of those you mentioned played positions as well-stocked as WR is right now.
- None of those you mentioned had reached an age where their performance should decline, if not fall off completely. KGB's performance eroded, but he was young enough that there was hope for his career to be revitalized. The same can't be said of Driver.

Bubba Franks, Nick Barnett,William Henderson, Donald Lee, Na'ill Diggs are all examples of just the opposite. Guys still under contract who should have been healthy for camp but were released by TT during the off season and not brought back for camp.

I agree that his contract will change. And the odds are he will be let go. But my point was not that Thompson won't whack Driver due to his cost and replaceability. He might and he has done it before. By the primary assumption that he WILL do it, falls into the same category as "he never trades up, only down". True a majority of the time, but never certain. And in the reverse case, he has let people go for whom no obvious replacement was available. We do not know how much value Thompson or McCarthy place on his continued presence on the roster. In conventional terms, it would seem time to let him go. But I though that last year. In the end, the difference might be Cobb, not the PS guys.

The Packers had a tight fit last year after the uncapped year getting the 53 to approx $120 million (with Hawk the primary offender), but otherwise I agree its as tight as 2005. I don't remember Hawk being released, I remember him as a FA for a couple of hours, though that might be what you are saying. Driver's contract might contain a different date for his bonus. Hawk, either by contract or vested status, became a FA at the same time the other unsigned did after the lockout. Certain vets can become FAs immediately and earlier than the new league year.

The presence of the bonus only hastens the decision from Summer and moves it up to Feb/March. Its the same calculus except with post draft cuts, you obviously know how FA and the draft sorted out. The presence of the bonus throws some uncertainty into the equation, but the round numbers it will take to sign a player are known, and thus the cost calculable, the closer FA gets to launch.

[King Friday]

I'm pretty sure that Thompson lets Driver go. His possible production is not the issue...continual roster development is. Thompson firmly believes (and rightfully so) that you need to have a constant group of hungry young talent on the roster. Those young guys who aren't starting are learning none the less, and every week they are in practices and meetings helps them get ready for the day they will eventually be called on. Taking away a developmental roster spot (which is what the #5 WR position truly is) to hang on to an old veteran who has zero upside for you going forward makes no sense.

Letting Driver go does not hurt this team, and could help it by allowing a young kid the chance to get on the roster and begin his learning process for the years ahead...in addition to the cap savings. If Driver wants to play another year or two on a lesser team where he might be able to contribute as a #3 or #4 WR, more power to him. However, he's accomplished more than all but a handful of draft picks taken in the 7th round or later. He has a ring, he has his health, and he has a career in Green Bay as a coach or broadcaster whenever he wishes to enter his next career in life. What more does he really need to accomplish?

[Patler]

I don't remember Hawk being released, I remember him as a FA for a couple of hours, though that might be what you are saying. Driver's contract might contain a different date for his bonus. Hawk, either by contract or vested status, became a FA at the same time the other unsigned did after the lockout. Certain vets can become FAs immediately and earlier than the new league year.

The presence of the bonus only hastens the decision from Summer and moves it up to Feb/March. Its the same calculus except with post draft cuts, you obviously know how FA and the draft sorted out. The presence of the bonus throws some uncertainty into the equation, but the round numbers it will take to sign a player are known, and thus the cost calculable, the closer FA gets to launch.

Hawk was released in March, the day before his $10 million in compensation would have been guaranteed (per his contract) and was resigned the next day, all before the lockout started. The lockout started about a week later. The lockout affected decisions on bonuses for some players around the league who had due dates after the lockout started, lumping them all in with the expired contract FAs after the lockout, but not Hawk. His situation was done and over before the lockout started.

[Gunakor]

I'll ask again, Are you willing to give up an up and coming reciever to keep an ageing veteran?

I know what I have in the aging veteran. I'd be unwilling to take a gamble on an unknown. It would be different perhaps if we were building a team with the goal of winning a title a few years down the line. If Driver were 37 years old back in 2007 and needed to be let go in favor of up and comers I'd have been more supportive of it. But we aren't building anymore, we're competing for championships. The goal is to win in 2012. If the up and comers aren't better right now than a 37 year old Donald Driver then they don't deserve that roster spot. That's how I feel about it.

[Gunakor]

If Driver wants to play another year or two on a lesser team where he might be able to contribute as a #3 or #4 WR, more power to him. However, he's accomplished more than all but a handful of draft picks taken in the 7th round or later. He has a ring, he has his health, and he has a career in Green Bay as a coach or broadcaster whenever he wishes to enter his next career in life. What more does he really need to accomplish?

Perhaps it's not about accomplishment. Maybe it's simply a desire to continue playing the game he loves, playing for the fans that have adopted him and have supported him for his entire career. In the end it doesn't matter what his reasons are, he wants to remain a Packer. We should all be grateful IMO. Even at 37, he has more to offer than any green ass practice squad player.

[Patler]

Perhaps it's not about accomplishment. Maybe it's simply a desire to continue playing the game he loves, playing for the fans that have adopted him and have supported him for his entire career. In the end it doesn't matter what his reasons are, he wants to remain a Packer. We should all be grateful IMO. Even at 37, he has more to offer than any green ass practice squad player.

I would bet that William Henderson felt the same way, May not be what TT thinks is best for the team.

[Gunakor]

I've already said I'm deferring to Ted on this one. But if Driver is let go I'd bet a year's salary that it's for cap reasons, not for development of another player who may or may not pan out. If the money isn't there then you have to let him go. If the money IS there then you have to keep him.

XLVII. If that isn't the focus then the priorties need to be adjusted. A roster of this caliber isn't NEXT year's champions. Assuming Driver's contract could in fact be squeezed under the cap without sacrificing any other proven commodities on this roster, the question is centered around immediate production. Who would be more productive this season as the #5, Donald Driver or (enter name here)? Because the other 4 WR's on our current gameday roster are already the future. Driver you keep around for right now, because he gives you the best chance to win right now. Jennings, Nelson, Finley and Cobb give you the same chance to win next year whether or not Driver is a part of that. Cross that bridge when you come to it.

[Patler]

To be honest, I don't see that Driver gives any better chance to win than others who might fill the #5 spot, and may give less than they do. I would rather have someone like a Gurley who provides size that others don't have and Driver certainly doesn't offer, or someone with ST skills (again perhaps Gurley) which Driver does not have. Even someone with ST coverage skills could get others off the field who you would rather not have to have on the field for kicks. Even a reserve punt/kick returner adds value to the roster.

At this stage, Driver offers very little other than as a receiver, and if he isn't one of the first 4 WRs, his value to the team is almost zero. If the first 4 are healthy, he might even have to be a game day inactive in order to adequately man STs.