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Driver receives a raise
Standout veteran gets contract extension
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 5, 2007
Green Bay - If his body holds up and his mind stays willing, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver could become one of the top pass catchers in team history.
And one of the richest, also.
After the second Pro Bowl season of his eight-year career, the 32-year-old Driver has been rewarded again with a contract extension that adds almost $11 million in new money to his existing contract, according to a source with access to NFL Players Association salary data. Much of the money - $7.2 million - is contained in the extra year added to the deal, which might not be earned because Driver will be 35 going into that season.
But the deal boosts his salary through roster and workout bonuses by about $3.8 million over the next three seasons and brings his average per-year salary to about $5.75 million. It is the second time in two years that Driver has seen his contract upgraded despite having multiple years left on the deal.
It is unclear what role Driver played in pushing for a second extension, but he clearly thinks he's deserving of being paid among the top receivers in the league and doesn't want to be sold short. He admitted that it might be unprecedented for the Packers to upgrade a contract in two straight years, but he said he had performed well enough to deserve it.
"I always felt like I was going to be one of the top receivers in the league," Driver said after the club's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night. "I guess that's how everybody in the world (would) want to get compensated. I feel like I'm a top five receiver in the league. I've been a Green Bay Packer for life.
"That's what you want from the organization that they can see that in you. When you have an organization like that, what other organization would you rather play for? My goal is to (always) be here."
After Driver spoke out about being underpaid before last season, the Packers added two years to his contract, raising the value to $17 million over four years. He made $5.2 million of that last season and was scheduled to make in base salary and roster bonuses another $2.7 million this year, $3.9 million in 2008 and $4.9 million in '09.
With the extension, he can make in base salary and roster bonuses $4.3 million this year, $4.9 million in '08 and $5.9 million in '09. The new roster bonuses are tied to him being on the 45-man active list each week. Any week that he's not on it, he won't receive a prorated portion of the bonus.
There are also off-season workout bonuses that can net him another $200,000 per year.
Because the Packers aren't just handing the money over to Driver in a signing bonus, it's unlikely to cause too much of a rumbling in the locker room among players who would like their contracts upgraded. Driver responded to the extension last year by having the best season of his career (92 catches for 1,295 yards and eight touchdowns) and establishing himself as one of the only indispensable players on the team.
The team has refused to extend or upgrade the contracts of cornerback Mike McKenzie, receiver Javon Walker and running back Ahman Green in past years, but they've established a policy of rewarding veteran players like Driver and Al Harris with performance-based pay increases.
"I think everyone in this locker room, once they find out, they may feel like I deserve it," Driver said. "And I'm hoping that's how it is. I'm hoping no one gets upset and says they feel like they deserve one. If they feel like they deserve one, then I respect them if they do get one."
General manager Ted Thompson declined to comment on Driver's extension.
Driver said his goal was to finish his career with the Packers as one of the most productive receivers in club history.
Going into this season, Driver has 421 career catches for 5,929 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has caught a pass in 80 consecutive regular-season games.
The three club records he'd like to beat are Sterling Sharpe's career reception mark of 595, Sharpe's consecutive game reception total of 103 and James Lofton's receiving yards record of 9,656.
He'd also like to become part of the most prolific passing touchdown combination in club history. To do so, he would need to catch 24 touchdown passes from Brett Favre to surpass the Favre-Antonio Freeman total of 57.
"I have goals," Driver said. "I have one of the greatest quarterbacks throwing the ball to me. You look at those guys as Hall of Famers, and I know if I can continue this streak and continue doing what I'm doing, maybe I can be there."
A seventh-round pick by former general manager Ron Wolf, who marveled last weekend at the fact Driver is closing in on records held by Lofton and Sharpe, Driver is not only indispensable on the field, but also in the leadership department.
The Packers have a fairly young receiving corps and they should feel fortunate to have a role model like the hard-practicing, hard-playing Driver. If he can stay healthy, Driver said he'd like to play at least another three or four more years, and he would like Favre to be there for all of them.
The one thing Driver doesn't have is something that many Packers he's played with during his tenure already earned: a Super Bowl ring.
"My goal is to get to the Super Bowl," Driver said. "(No.) 4 has one. I'd like one, too. Antonio Freeman, (Robert) Brooks, William (Henderson), Brett, Frankie (Winters), 'Chewey' (Mark Chmura), they all have one and all have been there. I'm just hoping I can get there and win that Super Bowl. It would put a big smile on my face."
Standout veteran gets contract extension
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 5, 2007
Green Bay - If his body holds up and his mind stays willing, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver could become one of the top pass catchers in team history.
And one of the richest, also.
After the second Pro Bowl season of his eight-year career, the 32-year-old Driver has been rewarded again with a contract extension that adds almost $11 million in new money to his existing contract, according to a source with access to NFL Players Association salary data. Much of the money - $7.2 million - is contained in the extra year added to the deal, which might not be earned because Driver will be 35 going into that season.
But the deal boosts his salary through roster and workout bonuses by about $3.8 million over the next three seasons and brings his average per-year salary to about $5.75 million. It is the second time in two years that Driver has seen his contract upgraded despite having multiple years left on the deal.
It is unclear what role Driver played in pushing for a second extension, but he clearly thinks he's deserving of being paid among the top receivers in the league and doesn't want to be sold short. He admitted that it might be unprecedented for the Packers to upgrade a contract in two straight years, but he said he had performed well enough to deserve it.
"I always felt like I was going to be one of the top receivers in the league," Driver said after the club's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night. "I guess that's how everybody in the world (would) want to get compensated. I feel like I'm a top five receiver in the league. I've been a Green Bay Packer for life.
"That's what you want from the organization that they can see that in you. When you have an organization like that, what other organization would you rather play for? My goal is to (always) be here."
After Driver spoke out about being underpaid before last season, the Packers added two years to his contract, raising the value to $17 million over four years. He made $5.2 million of that last season and was scheduled to make in base salary and roster bonuses another $2.7 million this year, $3.9 million in 2008 and $4.9 million in '09.
With the extension, he can make in base salary and roster bonuses $4.3 million this year, $4.9 million in '08 and $5.9 million in '09. The new roster bonuses are tied to him being on the 45-man active list each week. Any week that he's not on it, he won't receive a prorated portion of the bonus.
There are also off-season workout bonuses that can net him another $200,000 per year.
Because the Packers aren't just handing the money over to Driver in a signing bonus, it's unlikely to cause too much of a rumbling in the locker room among players who would like their contracts upgraded. Driver responded to the extension last year by having the best season of his career (92 catches for 1,295 yards and eight touchdowns) and establishing himself as one of the only indispensable players on the team.
The team has refused to extend or upgrade the contracts of cornerback Mike McKenzie, receiver Javon Walker and running back Ahman Green in past years, but they've established a policy of rewarding veteran players like Driver and Al Harris with performance-based pay increases.
"I think everyone in this locker room, once they find out, they may feel like I deserve it," Driver said. "And I'm hoping that's how it is. I'm hoping no one gets upset and says they feel like they deserve one. If they feel like they deserve one, then I respect them if they do get one."
General manager Ted Thompson declined to comment on Driver's extension.
Driver said his goal was to finish his career with the Packers as one of the most productive receivers in club history.
Going into this season, Driver has 421 career catches for 5,929 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has caught a pass in 80 consecutive regular-season games.
The three club records he'd like to beat are Sterling Sharpe's career reception mark of 595, Sharpe's consecutive game reception total of 103 and James Lofton's receiving yards record of 9,656.
He'd also like to become part of the most prolific passing touchdown combination in club history. To do so, he would need to catch 24 touchdown passes from Brett Favre to surpass the Favre-Antonio Freeman total of 57.
"I have goals," Driver said. "I have one of the greatest quarterbacks throwing the ball to me. You look at those guys as Hall of Famers, and I know if I can continue this streak and continue doing what I'm doing, maybe I can be there."
A seventh-round pick by former general manager Ron Wolf, who marveled last weekend at the fact Driver is closing in on records held by Lofton and Sharpe, Driver is not only indispensable on the field, but also in the leadership department.
The Packers have a fairly young receiving corps and they should feel fortunate to have a role model like the hard-practicing, hard-playing Driver. If he can stay healthy, Driver said he'd like to play at least another three or four more years, and he would like Favre to be there for all of them.
The one thing Driver doesn't have is something that many Packers he's played with during his tenure already earned: a Super Bowl ring.
"My goal is to get to the Super Bowl," Driver said. "(No.) 4 has one. I'd like one, too. Antonio Freeman, (Robert) Brooks, William (Henderson), Brett, Frankie (Winters), 'Chewey' (Mark Chmura), they all have one and all have been there. I'm just hoping I can get there and win that Super Bowl. It would put a big smile on my face."
I have to say, this was unexpected. Other than Favre and Kampman, I dont know of anyone more deserving of an extension and more money than Donald Driver. I have, heh heh....... bitched and moaned..... about Thompsons moves (or lack thereof) as much as anyone. Hate to admit it, but old Teddy really suprised me with this move. If he keeps making smart moves like this, I may actually gain a little respect for him. Now if only he could find a free agent that will help our chances to get to the playoffs this year....
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