With all the discussion on Favre's former WR's.

[chain_gang]

With all the discussion on Favre's former wideouts not being able to make it on a different team I ask you this. Would Donald Driver been able to make it on a different team say about two years ago or maybe even after this past year?

I would have to say yes. Mainly because I think money won't turn him into a slouch and he'd continue to try and improve, like he will now after the extension he received. I really think Walker won't make it, mainly because he is too worried about the almight payday, and usually when that happens you get a cletidus hunt, joe johnson, antonio freeman, and so on. I don't think Walker has it in him to try and improve where money rules. Few actually do. Look at all the big signings or extentions in recent years and look at how many have flopped compared to how many succeed. I feel guys like Aaron Kampman, Donald Driver, Brett Favre, and even dipping into Basketball a little Michael Redd have that Old School Desire that is somewhat lacked in the modern era of sports today, where not earning your paycheck after you sign it is all to common.

Thoughts?

[MadtownPacker]

Re: With all the discussion on Favre's former WR's.

The only reason why DD wouldn't have made it is that he might have never gotten the chance. 7th rd pick, didnt do much his first couple of season. Who knows. Given the chance and given the ball I believe DD would have still been DD.

[ND72]

DD is like the 1 man american dream...he was given his opportunity and he took off with it. He's a self made star, and self made success. can't help but love the guy.

[Merlin]

It's hard to say with Driver. He may have been good elsewhere, but I think just playing in Green Bay alone made him a better player. I think Favre helped a bit.

[Chubbyhubby]

What made DD so popular besides being a 7th round gem was his Lambeau Leap a few years back. (to this day I have that CD)

PS: as I wrote this I have 84 posts the number Donald Driver wears!

[jack's smirking revenge]

Re: With all the discussion on Favre's former WR's.

The only reason why DD wouldn't have made it is that he might have never gotten the chance. 7th rd pick, didnt do much his first couple of season. Who knows. Given the chance and given the ball I believe DD would have still been DD.

I agree with Mad. The Pack nutured DD and had patience with him. DD put in the work and the effort and became what he is today. Hard to say whether or not another team would've had that much patience with him, allowed him to flourish.

tyler

[retailguy]

What made DD so popular besides being a 7th round gem was his Lambeau Leap a few years back. (to this day I have that CD)

PS: as I wrote this I have 84 posts the number Donald Driver wears!

Sorry Chubby..... Javon wore 84. Driver wears 80.

[Merlin]

What made DD so popular besides being a 7th round gem was his Lambeau Leap a few years back. (to this day I have that CD)

PS: as I wrote this I have 84 posts the number Donald Driver wears!

Um here wears #80, Walker wore #84

[The Leaper]

I think he would have the chance to succeed anywhere...because of his work ethic and character. Whether or not that chance paid off is anyone's guess, because so many variables are in the equation. Green Bay does have one of the best reputations for giving late draft picks and undrafted rookies chances to make a roster and improve.

He was features in SI last year for the difficult workout regime he puts himself through. It is hard to think a guy willing to put out that kind of effort is going to come up short very often. Having Favre certainly helps...but it is pretty clear at this point that Driver could be a starting receiver for any team in the NFL right now. So there isn't much to argue in terms of his talent or desire...it comes down to whether or not an NFL team would have given him a fair chance. If they would have, I think Driver succeeds wherever he goes.

[RashanGary]

I voted yes. Look at his physical condition every year. He can run, jump and catch. He works hard and understands the game. What the hell else does a WR need. Favre throws for 4,000 yards every year so of course he gives guys the chance to succeed so he probably wouldn't have been as productive. Sterling Sharpe called him a legit #1 WR. I think Sharpe knows more about playing WR than Wist or anyone else on these forums who claim Driver is a #2 at best.

Every team isn't going to have a top 10 talent at WR. Think about it, there are 32 teams and 10 top 10 players to go around....It's pretty easy math. DD is legit, no question in my mind.

[RashanGary]

Even after he got his new payday, he is underpaid in teh long run. The more I look at that contract, the more I think Thompson was fair and wise in that contract signing.

Driver gets the security to support his family for the rest of his life and gets a just under market value pay check and GB gets their #1 weapon in camp and happy for 4 years.

I think the point Thompson was trying to make is that if guys want to get paid early they can but it is going to be just below fair market value. I think that is a good standard to set.

[jack's smirking revenge]

I can't answer the poll. I think its misleading. DD needs more than just BF in order to succeed; I think he's needed the whole Packer organization. It helps that he's got a future HoF'er throwing to him, but he's needed the whole org to have patience with him (which has allowed him the resources to have a crazy offseason program and to give him the confidence to work on bettering himself).

I don't take anything away from DD, because he deserves much praise for what he's done. He'll retire as a Packer--not a Packer HoF'er, but a solid WR that produced year-in and year-out.

tyler

[RashanGary]

All time Packer records:

All time recieving yards

James Lofton - 9,656
Sterling Sharpe - 8,134
Don Hudson - 7,991
Boyd Dowler - 6,918
Antonio Freeman - 6,651
Donald Driver - 4,634

Driver, based on his previous production, will likely pass Dawler and maybe Hudson/Sharpe by the time his current contract expires.

All time receptions

Sterling Sharpe - 595
James Lofton - 530
Don Hutson - 488
Boyd Dowler - 448
Antonio Freeman - 431
Donald Driver - 329

If Driver averages 51 receptions per season over his current contract he will have passed Lofton as the #2 all time reception leader.


Driver could play like Robert Ferguson and make it to #5 or better if he plays 4 more years. It's unlikely he'll play like Ferg so based on past production and his current amazing physical condition and starting role, he will very likely be the #3 reciever in packer history based on production. Driver stands a really good chance to make the Packer HOF. Also, He is clearly a legit #1 WR.

[jack's smirking revenge]

Good info Nick! I wasn't aware that he was so high in the Packer historical ranks. Interesting... With a couple more high-production years, he could rank near the top. Didn't know that...

tyler

[chain_gang]

Yeah thanks for the info Nick I didn't know he was that close to all of those packer records either.

Pretty amazing if you think about it.