Zero2Cool
15 years ago
Source Link 

GREEN BAY Donald Driver wants his contract reworked again.

The Green Bay Packers three-time Pro Bowl wideout was missing from the teams first open-to-the-media organized team activity practice Thursday at the Don Hutson Center, and two NFL sources said and a team source confirmed that Driver was absent because he wants the team to sweeten his deal.

Driver, 34, has two years remaining on his current deal, which calls for a $3.9 million base salary this season and a $4 million base salary in 2010. Driver finished the 2008 season with 74 catches for 1,012 yards and five touchdowns. His number of receptions and yardage were his lowest since 2003.

This is the fourth straight year Driver has approached the team about improving his deal. According to one source, Driver first approached the team at the annual FanFest in March. Its surprising Driver has taken this approach, given his standing in the community and popularity with fans. Driver has taken over ex-Packers quarterback Brett Favres annual charity softball game, which is scheduled for June 14 this year.

I dont know what hes doing, one NFL source said. It makes no sense.

Driver has been surpassed as the Packers No. 1 receiver by Greg Jennings, who the final year of his four-year contract. Jennings is scheduled to make $535,000 this season the minimum salary for a player with three years of experience. Yet Jennings is attending OTAs.

They knew I was going to be here, Jennings said. If something were to come up, it wouldnt be because of my contract situation, it would be because of my family.

Before the 2006 season, Driver complained about being underpaid and the Packers responded by adding two years to his contract, a move that increased the value of his deal to $17 million over four years through the 09 season. Driver made more than $5 million of that $17 million in 06 and was scheduled to make $2.7 million in 07, $3.9 million in 08 and $4.9 million in 09 in base salary and roster bonuses.

But before the 07 season, after Driver made his second Pro Bowl, the Packers again reworked his deal, adding more than $10 million in new money, much of it in the form of an additional year of 2010. The rest of the new money came in the form of roster bonuses and workout bonuses. Portions of those roster bonuses were based on Driver being on the active 45-man roster for each game.

In 2007, when he played in 15 of 16 games, Driver was to eligible earn $1.3 million in roster bonus money, in addition to his $2.7 million base salary. Last season, when he played in all 16 games, he earned $2 million in roster bonus money in addition to his $2.9 million base salary.

This year, Driver has a $2 million roster bonus in addition to his $3.9 million base salary. In 2010, the roster bonus is $2.8 million atop a $4 million salary. By not working out with the team a set number of times during the offseason, Driver would forfeit workout bonuses worth more than $200,000 per year.

Contacted via e-mail, Drivers agent, Jordan Woy, said Driver is training in Texas and the Packers know this. It is not a mandatory camp. Attempts to reach Driver via phone and text message were unsuccessful, but in an interview with Milwaukee TV station WITI last week, Driver was asked if he was happy with his contract and replied, "Oh, I'm happy. ... They always say when you get later in your career you go out there and do your best and hopefully you'll get what you deserve."

OTAs are technically voluntary but are strongly encouraged. Only two other veterans cornerback Charles Woodson and safety Nick Collins were absent Thursday.

Collins father, James Collins Sr., died of cancer at age 56 Saturday in Florida, although Collins agent, David Butz, told the State Journal earlier this month that Collins would not be participating in the OTAs regardless of any family matters. Woodson was excused by coach Mike McCarthy for personal reasons but is expected to attend later in the session.

As far as the guys that are not here Donald Driver, Charles Woodson, Nick Collins no different than weve done in the past, I know everybody here understands that whether its personal reasons, business reasons, whatever they are, Im not going to discuss those, McCarthy said. I know the fans respect that we dont do business in the media.

Asked if he expects to have Driver, Woodson and Collins back at some point during OTAs, McCarthy replied, Ive addressed that. Time will answer that. Im done with attendance. I hope you can respect that.

Meanwhile, exclusive-rights free-agent cornerback Tramon Williams signed a one-year contract. Williams practiced the first two days of OTAs without a deal, which agent Rodney Williams said was worth more than the one-year, $460,000 exclusive-rights tender. The agent would not elaborate.

According to the National Football Post, Williams' deal is worth $900,000 -- $525,000 in base salary plus a $375,000 signing bonus.

Its team-first, man. Im a team-first guy, said Tramon Williams, who played in 16 games (nine starts) last year. Weve got a new defense in, and obviously it wouldve hurt me more if I wasnt here to learn the defense. But I still would have been here. I dont want to miss any workouts mandatory or voluntary. Thats just the way I do it.



What do you think?
UserPostedImage
wils0646
15 years ago
WTF...

This came out of left field. They restructured in '06 and '07 and now he still wants a new deal? Weird.
The Pack Will Be Back.
dfosterf
15 years ago
I wonder what he wants.

I don't think they have to pay him. I don't think he will hold out if they don't.

Pay him anyway.

I say.
longtimefan
15 years ago

I wonder what he wants.

I don't think they have to pay him. I don't think he will hold out if they don't.

Pay him anyway.

I say.

"dfosterf" wrote:



Ummmmmmmm

His deal got re-worked 2 years in a a row

At some point you have to say enough...
RaiderPride
15 years ago
I am calling BULL SHIT.

Who the frick are your two NFL sources Jason? And who the hell is the source with in the team?

Christ... It is not like this is a story about the Nixon administration breaking into the Watergate.

Your fircken source is not "Deep Throat" and needing the witness protection agency.

Cut the bullshit Jason...... and do not print this crap until the story is confirmed by Donald, The Packers, and or his agent or all three.
""People Will Probably Never Remember What You Said, And May Never Remember What You Did. However, People Will Always Remember How You Made Them Feel."
porky88
15 years ago
1. Greg Jennings comes first even over Donald Driver. I also think it would set a nice example to redo Jennings deal ASAP especially since he's is at OTA's.

As long as Driver is training I don't think it's a big deal that he's not there. Of course you'd want him there, but it's not going to ruin the year that he's not there. He knows the offense as well as anyone I assume.

Now this year with a new defense being installed, defensive players should probably be there, but the offense is the same.

As far as the contract. I think he's looking for one last big pay day. He's an aging player and he sees one more chance. I think the Packers should at least talk to him. They owe him that, but this sounds like someone who is trying to make this story bigger than what it really is. I'd be shocked to see Driver hold out of mandatory camps.
15 years ago
Again with the Favre type reporting.

Is ther a quote from his agent or Donald saying he is disgruntled.

Asking for it is not a problem. He wasn't screaming his demands last time.

He moved to Texas recently and may be spending more time with his family.

He knows the offense and multiple positions within it.

This is not a huge concern.

We ought to withold opinions and judgements until we actually hear from Donald.

Look what has happened this offseason when Brett Favre said nothing other than "I'm retired".

Don't let the press turn you against good people like Brett and Donald.
blank
Bigbyfan
15 years ago
Until Driver says something, I don't care about the story. However my guess is he wants more years on the deal instead of money.
blank
4PackGirl
15 years ago
not believing it til i hear it from driver.
Rockmolder
15 years ago

1. Greg Jennings comes first even over Donald Driver. I also think it would set a nice example to redo Jennings deal ASAP especially since he's is at OTA's.

As long as Driver is training I don't think it's a big deal that he's not there. Of course you'd want him there, but it's not going to ruin the year that he's not there. He knows the offense as well as anyone I assume.

Now this year with a new defense being installed, defensive players should probably be there, but the offense is the same.

As far as the contract. I think he's looking for one last big pay day. He's an aging player and he sees one more chance. I think the Packers should at least talk to him. They owe him that, but this sounds like someone who is trying to make this story bigger than what it really is. I'd be shocked to see Driver hold out of mandatory camps.

"porky88" wrote:



I agree. They should up Jennings contract right now. Reward him for being a team player and just walking into the facility while having a horrible contract as one of our best players. Let his good work ethic be rewarded.

And, if this is true, I think it's all about that last big pay day aswell. I asume he wants to get a lot of money right now, maybe this year, rather than later on. He's feeling the pressure with Nelson and Jones sitting behind him and I can imagine that he's thinking that this could be his last year. Same goes for Harris btw, although he's not aiming for more money.
Fan Shout
packerfanoutwest (5h) : too funny
packerfanoutwest (5h) : Lions QB Jared Goff was the offensive MVP
packerfanoutwest (5h) : for the Pro Bowl, which is flag football
Zero2Cool (6h) : Rather, the murder WAS covered up to prevent ...
Zero2Cool (6h) : JFK murder was a cover-up to prevent war with Cuba/Russia.
Martha Careful (1-Feb) : I have always admired the pluck of the man
Zero2Cool (1-Feb) : I remember thinking he was going to be something good.
Mucky Tundra (1-Feb) : The Dualing Banjo!
Zero2Cool (31-Jan) : Jets have named Chris Banjo as their special teams coordinator, Former Packers player
Zero2Cool (31-Jan) : Jaguars have hired Anthony Campanile as their DC. We lose coach
Zero2Cool (30-Jan) : QB coach Sean Mannion
Zero2Cool (30-Jan) : DL Coach DeMarcus Covington
dfosterf (30-Jan) : from ft Belvoir, Quantico and points south. Somber reminder of this tragedy at Reagan Nat Airport
dfosterf (30-Jan) : So eerily quiet here in Alexandria. I live in the flight path of commercial craft coming from the south and west, plus the military craft
dfosterf (30-Jan) : So eeri
Mucky Tundra (30-Jan) : Now that's a thought, maybe they're looking at the college ranks? Maybe not head coaches but DC/assistant DCs with league experience?
beast (30-Jan) : College Coaches wouldn't want that publicly, as it would hurt recruiting and they might not get the job.
beast (30-Jan) : I thought they were supposed to publicly announce them, at least the NFL ones. Hafley was from college, so I believe different rules.
Mucky Tundra (30-Jan) : Who knows who they're interviewing? I mean, nobody knew about Hafley and then out of nowhere he was hired
beast (30-Jan) : I wonder what's taking so long with hiring a DL coach, 2 of the 3 known to interview have already been hired elsewhere.
Zero2Cool (27-Jan) : Packers coach Matt LaFleur hires Luke Getsy as senior assistant, extends Rich Bisaccia's deal
Zero2Cool (27-Jan) : Chiefs again huh? I guess another Super Bowl I'll be finding something else to do.
Mucky Tundra (27-Jan) : Chiefs Eagles...again...sigh
dfosterf (27-Jan) : Happy Birthday Dave!
Mucky Tundra (27-Jan) : happy birthday dhazer
TheKanataThrilla (26-Jan) : Exactly buck...Washington came up with the ball. It is just a shitty coincidence one week later
buckeyepackfan (26-Jan) : I forgot, they corrected the call a week later. Lol btw HAPPY BIRTHDAY dhazer!
buckeyepackfan (26-Jan) : That brings up the question, why wasn't Nixon down by contact? I think that was the point Kanata was making.
buckeyepackfan (26-Jan) : Turnovers rule, win the turnover battle, win the game.
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : well, he was
TheKanataThrilla (26-Jan) : Eagles down by contact on the fumble....fuck you NFL
Mucky Tundra (26-Jan) : I think this games over
beast (26-Jan) : Eagles sure get a lot of fumbles on kickoffs
Mucky Tundra (26-Jan) : This game looks too big for Washington
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : that being said, The Ravens are the Browns
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : Browns, Dolphins have longest AFC Championship droughts
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : As of today, Cowboys have longest NFC Championship drought,
beast (26-Jan) : Someone pointed out, with Raiders hiring Carroll, the division games between Carroll and Jim Harbaugh are back on (who can whine more games)
beast (26-Jan) : I'm confused, Pete Carroll and Brian Schottenheimer? When Todd Monken, Joe Brady, Kellen Moore, Kliff Kingsbury and Zac Robinson are availab
Zero2Cool (25-Jan) : Any reason I'm catching a shot here about my intelligence?
Martha Careful (25-Jan) : thank you Mucky for sticking up for me
Martha Careful (25-Jan) : some of those people are smarter than you zero. However Pete Carroll is not
Mucky Tundra (24-Jan) : Rude!
beast (24-Jan) : Martha? 😋
Zero2Cool (24-Jan) : Raiders hired someone from the elderly home.
dfosterf (24-Jan) : I'm going with a combination of the two.
beast (24-Jan) : Either the Cowboys have no idea what they're doing, or they're targeting their former OC, currently the Eagles OC
Zero2Cool (23-Jan) : Fake news. Cowboys say no
Zero2Cool (23-Jan) : Mystery candidate in the Cowboys head coaching search believed to be Packers ST Coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
beast (23-Jan) : Also why do both NYC teams have absolutely horrible OL for over a decade?
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
8h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

14h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

1-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

1-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / packerfanoutwest

27-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

25-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

25-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

25-Jan / Random Babble / Martha Careful

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

19-Jan / Random Babble / Martha Careful

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.