This seems to be a hot topic in several threads and hopefully someone hasn't created one for it already. :)


I think if the Packers have a WR that makes them consider cutting Donald Driver, they should keep an extra WR.

I'd like to see him on the 2011 roster, but if he's not, I wouldn't be upset. I don't think he should be around in 2012 for the Packers.

Greg Jennings, I say he's Packers for life.
James Jones, I think he'll be #2 sooner than some expect.
Jordy Nelson, his wife plays a big role in whether he remains in Green Bay or leaves.
Donald Driver, I'm a little concerned about the drops and health.
Randall Cobb, rookie, but I haven't seen him really play other than return a kick off.

I think Jordy resigns before the end of 2011. And I think the Packers should have 6 WR on the roster this year.

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In terms of performance alone, I think it'd be stupid to cut DD. If anything, I think Driver's gotten BETTER since last year, at least from what we've seen in the preseason. That being said, he's getting old and I doubt he's got enough left in the tank to get him through 2013. It'd be really sad to let Driver go.

Yes, we've seen Donald's best days, he's wealthy, healthy, and a Packer Hall of Famer. What else does he need?

And Zero - my thread went 19 pages and counting - let's see how your's does.

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10,000 yards receiving, GB receiving record, and another Super Bowl ring?

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Create a website, mine's gone for nearly 5 years, let's see how yours does. 😉

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DD is still better than the #6,7 or 8 options. He stays. Not because I say so nor any of us. He stays because Mike and Ted say so.

I like West & Co. But they are not unique. There will be someone else coming out of college that they can pick up and sit in the #5 spot and allow to develop.

It is easy to fill his spot on the WR depth chart. It is much tougher to fill his roll on the team. No one who has advocated cutting Donald has come up with another WR who will go over the middle and be as consistent as Driver has been for the past 5 years.

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WR's are Ted Thompson's niche, I think. He seems to be able to get them from anywhere he wants. I don't think keeping both Gurley and West merit losing Driver's skill and leadership. Chemistry might not be on a stat sheet, but I feel it is important.

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Which is why it boggles my fricken mind why it is such a personal issue to some of you when people such as Nerdmann, Dr. Death, and I make these radical, unpopular suggestions.

It makes the day go faster I guess.

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A couple of questions need to be addressed when answering the main question.

1. Does Driver still bring "added" value to the Packers verses his compensation number?

I happen to believe his experience and work ethic is very valuable to the younger group of receivers on this club, Cobb and West/Gurley/Taylor will more than likely make this club. His personality and nature, along with Jennings, Jones and Nelson would provide leadership by example.


2. Does Donald still have "gas" in the tank to provide the Packers with a return on investment?

By all accounts this preseason, yes I would say that he does, he looks in great shape and doesn't seem to have any "hangover" from his injury last season.


3. Does Driver provide an upgrade today over the other receivers seeking a position?

At this point, based on preseason alone and the number of opportunities presented to all verse caliber of competition, one can not make a definitive statement one way or the other. West has looked good against 2nd and primarily 3rd string units.. Gurley has flashed and Taylor (my darkhorse) has looked very solid in limited opportunities and has flashed potential on special teams. Driver has had limited opportunities but has shown he still makes his living inside and in tight zones, something experience brings.


4. What is the downside of releasing Donald, whom already played a public card in a desire not to play elsewhere? (BTW, IMO that was a partial purpose for that statement)

We may lose out on a young developing Driver like story on the Green Bay Packers by keeping Driver over a younger player. Basically his release would not be due to performance but in roster counts and numbers. Seems a bit over optimist in "potential" to do so, however it is doubtful all three of these young receivers would make it to the Practice Squad.

But in cutting Driver, the team would face another PR story, this one much more like Favre than Harris of last season. Long time Packer, and only a Packer, that still can compete and brings value to the club. Where it differs is that the Packers have less of an idea of what they have in the hand B (West,Gurley,Taylor) and there is no side story to the questioning Donald's desire to be a Packer. Albeit it really isn't a huge concern, the fact remains it would distract the club on a mission to repeat.

So in conclusion, in my mind, you have three developing receivers, one in West that they have more invested, that could contribute to the team this year and years beyond. Or you take the more known commodity in Driver that you "know" will contribute to the team this season.

For a club that is fairly one dimensional on offense, can you afford to gamble on sure production in the passing game?

I think for the Packer of 2011 it is wise to keep Driver and his production over the risk of losing a prospect. Next season may tell a different story.. but I think this might be "two" years to soon, instead of the desired one year.

Also, it is not like the cupboard will be bare next season in terms of "young" talent on the Packers receiving corp.

If the Packers feel that strongly on West/Gurley/Taylor, they can find room on the roster. A player like Bush gives you flexibility on defense in developing the roster. Additionally.. one of those three or maybe even two will be available to the Packers PS.. which also helps the player and he has an incentive to sign on the Packers PS.

Additionally.. I happen to think Ted Thompson has a move or two before the final cuts.. one being a trade.

The cake is setting up, but it is far from baked.

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The time to have this discussion was before training camp, unless Driver got hurt or underperformed in the preseason, which clearly has not been the case. He's looked as sharp as ever, and he's been perfectly healthy. What, then, would be the point in Ted and the coaching staff keeping Driver on the team, taking valuable reps with the #1 offense both in practice and in preseason games (more reps than any other player, I believe), only to cut him at the end of training camp?

I think some fans have become overconfident in Ted Thompson's ability to find young unheralded players who can perform at a high level in the NFL. It happened last year with Sam Shields, and to a lesser extent, Frank Zombo and Erik Walden. But it's not going to happen every year. Also, people may be taking Ted's unemotional approach a bit too far. Yes, he makes his decisions based on facts instead of sentimentality, but that doesn't mean he ignores the emotional makeup of the team. It would send a very weird message to the team for Ted to cut Driver right now, in addition to subtracting one of the top four WRs. Jones and Nelson may have passed him up, but not by a whole lot.

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