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

[sharpe1027]

With Driver you might still have a serviceable #3 or #4. The already have 4 WRs that are at least that good in Jennings, Nelson, Cobb and Jones. Good WRs are often surprise guys found in later rounds, Driver is a prime example, and Cruz is more recent example. The chances of that happening are relatively small, but keeping Driver does mean missing out on that chance.

At this point, I think that it is quite possible that Driver will not be able to cut it as a #3/#4. Odds are that they can find a serviceable #5 WR in what they already have, the draft or FA.

[Scott Campbell]

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.

His spot on the depth chart means he's now occupying a spot reserved for developmental players with upside.

[Gunakor]

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 do. Regardless of my opinion, that decision shouldn't be make in a board room. If the kids prove it on the field the job is theirs. Even Driver would understand if he were beat out legitimately for a roster spot. You guys are talking about giving it away, gambling on potential future upside. I couldn't do that.

[Brandon494]

I think some are over valuing Gurley here, who is nothing more then another Ruvell Martin. If he accepts a pay cut bring him back, Gurley is obviously not going to beat him out of a job.

[Patler]

I think some are over valuing what Driver has to offer.

[smuggler]

He's not very versatile as a receiver anymore. He can only survive in the slot. He's still capable in that role, but there are other guys who can probably do it almost as well and still run on the outside and be better after the catch, assist on special teams.

The odds are certainly against him. He may show up in amazing shape and make us all eat crow.

[King Friday]

I think some are over valuing Gurley here, who is nothing more then another Ruvell Martin. If he accepts a pay cut bring him back, Gurley is obviously not going to beat him out of a job.

Gurley is a complete unknown...I agree. However, he clearly has upside potential that Driver does not. There is always a CHANCE that Gurley turns out to be good enough to be a starter some day. That is no longer true of Driver.

You won't find that out by leaving an aging WR on the roster who can't help on special teams and whose production could drop off a cliff at any point given his age. Look at Favre...had one of his best seasons in his second to last season, then looked completely different in the last. Even the greats can wake up one morning to find out that age has caught up with them. Driver is a hard worker with a lot of determination, but that isn't enough to fight off Father Time forever. His production has showed continual decline the last few years, and I would only expect that to continue...possibly even more rapidly at this point.

[Brandon494]

I think some are over valuing what Driver has to offer.

7 TDs last season as the 4th option, great locker room guy, veteran leadership, has a good relationship with Rodgers, has agreed to take pay cut, the only WR who showed up against the Giants, and is Packers all-time leading receiver in catches. Yea lets just dump him for a guy who was only a starter one year in college because hes 6-4 and younger.

[Brandon494]

Gurley is a complete unknown...I agree. However, he clearly has upside potential that Driver does not. There is always a CHANCE that Gurley turns out to be good enough to be a starter some day. That is no longer true of Driver.

You won't find that out by leaving an aging WR on the roster who can't help on special teams and whose production could drop off a cliff at any point given his age. Look at Favre...had one of his best seasons in his second to last season, then looked completely different in the last. Even the greats can wake up one morning to find out that age has caught up with them. Driver is a hard worker with a lot of determination, but that isn't enough to fight off Father Time forever. His production has showed continual decline the last few years, and I would only expect that to continue...possibly even more rapidly at this point.

Sorry but Gurley does not have potential to be a starter one day. Just because another team offered him a roster spot off our practice squad does not make the guy a future stud. Also it was the Vikings who try to sign all of our players. Sorry but Ted is not going to cut Donald Driver unless he is unwilling to take a pay cut and the only way Gurley makes the team is if we keep 6 WRs which might happen.

[Cleft Crusty]

I find no reason to suspect that Gurley will be a stud or a starter. He doesn't have to be. To make the team he probably will have to outcompete Driver - and/or (in the not so unlikely event) a draft pick in training camp. Maybe he won't be tremendously better than Driver at WR - certainly Driver's experience will be to Driver's advantage - but the combination of youth and Special Teams play - along with a reasonable training camp showing by Gurley - may be enough to drive away Donald.

[Upnorth]

If driver takes a pay cut he stll needs to beat Gurley. May be he does maybe he doesn't. Ill let the play decide. Also I'm not willing to state Gurley will never start, in fact I hope he does beat out jennings and nelson. I doubt he does but I hope he does.

[King Friday]

Sorry but Gurley does not have potential to be a starter one day.

15 years ago, people said the same about Driver.

[Pugger]

I heard that Gurley is big but not all that fast for a WR.

[Patler]

I think some are over valuing what Driver has to offer.

7 TDs last season as the 4th option, great locker room guy, veteran leadership, has a good relationship with Rodgers, has agreed to take pay cut, the only WR who showed up against the Giants, and is Packers all-time leading receiver in catches. Yea lets just dump him for a guy who was only a starter one year in college because hes 6-4 and younger.

That just proves my point.

"great locker room guy" "veteran leadership" mean little on most teams, and even less on the Packers who have those types in abundance. Those are just words that sound good for a guy who makes the team anyway based on what he can do. No body makes a professional team because of it.

"has a good relationship with Rodgers" - which of the wide receivers doesn't? Jennings and Nelson seem to be more in sync with Rodgers than Driver does.

"has agreed to take a pay cut" - he may still cost more than what he contributes and will certainly be a lot more expensive than a younger player even at the vets' minimum.

"the only WR who showed up against the Giants" - 3 receptions for 45 yards is nothing to brag about, and not much more than the 4/40, 3/39 and 3/38 put up by Jennings, Nelson and Cobb. The ball was thrown to him, he caught it. (I know, there were drops by others that stand out, but I think Driver had an early one too, didn't he?)

"Packers all-time leading receiver in catches" - means nothing for 2012. Favre was the Packers all-time leader for everything QB related, and it meant nothing for him when his time was up, nor should it have. That's all in the past. All that matters is what Driver can do for the team in 2012 and perhaps in the future too.

[Joemailman]

I heard that Gurley is big but not all that fast for a WR.

Yep. He's 6-4 and seems to have good hands. If he had decent speed, he likely would have been drafted. He has some ability, but at this point I'm not sure he brings more than a guy like Ruvell Martin.