Green Bay Donald Driver played so well and so consistently for so many years that his age was never even mentioned by those who are paid to evaluate him across the National Football League.
Now it is.
Two executives in personnel for teams in the NFC North Division this week said Driver hasn't been the same player in 2010 that he was as a 1,000-yard receiver for the Green Bay Packers in seven of the last eight seasons.
"He's showing his age," one of the personnel men said. "He doesn't look like the threat he did a couple years ago."
"Not as good," another personnel man said. "Injuries set him back a little bit. Not as productive. Had some drops. I think he's declining."
The first scout, an ardent admirer of Driver for much of his 12-year career, cautioned that he should never be counted out.
"He probably will keep going for a while because he takes care of his body," he said. "He's a workaholic. You love the way he plays the game. He's very physical and tough."
Driver, who turns 36 in February, is well aware that his numbers - 46 catches, 524 yards, 11.4 average, four touchdowns - aren't real impressive. He's tied for 72nd in receptions, tied for 82nd in receiving yards.
He also seems to hold no ill will toward those who might question his ability. If mild criticism were to get him all bent out of shape, he would never have played a down as a seventh-round draft choice out of Alcorn State in 1999.
Twice during an interview Thursday, Driver brought up his 61-yard reception Dec. 5 against San Francisco in which he broke three tackles before tumbling into the end zone.
"Everybody's going to say what they think," he said. "I think everybody was kind of ruling me out, saying I was done. Then the 49ers came and everybody said, 'Well, maybe he can still play.' "
Even with the 38 yards after the catch from that brilliant play, Driver still is averaging merely 3.20 yards after the catch. That's more than a yard lower than his marks from the last four years and his poorest since 2004.
His per-catch average of 11.4 is the lowest of his career.
Jimmy Robinson, his position coach, said he didn't think either statistic was evidence that Driver was starting to lose his legs.
"I still can run the same," said Driver. "I still weigh the same. Ain't nothing changed."
Last January, Driver underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees and sat out the entire off-season. Without him, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson were mixed and matched at every location in every personnel grouping.
That has continued during the season. Where once Driver manned the slot in almost every three-receiver set, he doesn't anymore.
Sunday against the Giants, coach Mike McCarthy sent out three wides on 17 snaps. Nine times Driver was in the slot, but on the other eight he was either by himself outside or outside the slot receiver.
Because the slot receiver has an easier two-way go against the defender and often is covered by the No. 3 cornerback, slot has been the money position.
"It's totally different than what I'm used to," said Driver. "I think I'm still playing at a high level, but we're moving around. I'm not playing the one position that I played for 12 years."
Jennings, a classic X (split end) receiver in his first four years, has played the slot more than ever before. Jones, who generally lined up wide right in three-wide sets, also has worked extensively inside. Nelson can go anywhere now, too.
Driver is third on the team in receptions, fourth in yards and fourth in yards per catch. Counting playoffs, he averaged 16.1 gains of 20 yards or more from 2002-'09. This year he has five.
"It's more to our benefit to have guys in different places," Robinson said. "I like Donald on the outside, too."
Robinson and offensive coordinator Joe Philbin tend to dismiss the thigh injury that caused Driver to leave the Jets game after 16 snaps and sit out against Dallas. Driver said the thigh wasn't a factor in any game.
Even last year, Driver averaged more snaps than Jennings (53.3 to 52), with Jones at 37.3 and Nelson at 17.2. But now Jennings is averaging 53.7 and Driver 44.6. Nelson (34.2) and Jones (34) are closing the gap.
When have I ever come out of the game? said Driver. Im not in the game all the time.
Jennings has been the target of 115 passes compared with 86 for Jones, 77 for Driver and 62 for Nelson. Counting playoffs, Driver has had an average of 130.4 passes thrown to him in the last eight seasons.
Driver also has six drops, a drop rate of 7.8%. That is an improvement from last year (9.4%), but still his second highest since 2002.
"Other than the game in Washington (four drops), I don't remember him playing a bad game," Philbin said. "Sometimes it's a little bit the way the ball bounces. How many touchdowns did Greg have last year? Four. He's got 12 now. But is Greg Jennings a much better player this year than last year?"
Not since Week 11 last season has Driver had a 100-yard game. He needs 83 yards to break James Lofton's club record of 9,656, a mark he covets, but if it doesn't happen Sunday it's hard to tell what the future holds.
In August, the Packers signed Driver to an extension through 2012. His base salary will be $4.1 million in 2011, but the possibility of a lockout and shortened season could work against highly paid veterans.
Both Robinson and Philbin left little doubt that Driver has another good year left. Smiling, Driver emphasized the plural ("years") as he looked ahead.
"It's all about opportunity in this game," he said. "The opportunities for me are not there like they used to be. I'm not throwing the ball . . . not calling the plays.
"You've just got to have fun and understand your role. If you're not comfortable with it, that's when you snap. No need for me to snap."