Zero2Cool
14 years ago

Driver's injury makes Jennings the top option 

Green Bay There's been no passing of the torch, officially or otherwise, because Donald Driver is confident he has a lot of good football left in him.

But with Driver slowed by a thigh injury that has been at least partially responsible for him not catching a pass since Oct. 17, Greg Jennings has become the go-to receiver in the Green Bay Packers' offense.

The combination of Driver's injury and the season-ending knee injury suffered by playmaking tight end Jermichael Finley in Week 5 has left Jennings as quarterback Aaron Rodgers' most reliable target, and the Packers' most dangerous weapon going into their game Sunday at Minnesota.

That's not necessarily by default, because Jennings led the Packers in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. But he doesn't have Driver in the slot to take some of the pressure off him.

Jennings has responded well, catching 25 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns over the last four games. That compares favorably with his totals (14 catches, 183 yards, 3 touchdowns) over the first five games.

"Slow weeks? I didn't have any slow weeks," a smiling Jennings said Wednesday. "I'm just trying to be consistent. When given the opportunities, I'm just trying to make plays. I've been given the opportunities, and I'm trying to make the best of them."

When Jennings caught just six passes over a three-game span ending Oct. 10 at Washington, the receiver's frustration boiled over. He yelled at his position coach, Jimmy Robinson, for not having the ball thrown his way and later apologized, calling his behavior "out of character."

Then Finley was injured early in the loss to the Redskins, and Driver went to the sideline with a quadriceps injury in the first half against the New York Jets on Oct. 31.

One week earlier, Driver's team-record streak of 133 consecutive games with at least one catch (139 including playoffs) had ended in the Packers' 28-24 victory over the Vikings.

With Driver ineffective and eventually inactive vs. Dallas, Jennings has played out of the slot more than he had in the past.

"I don't know if there's been a different emphasis," Jennings said. "I am switching and going inside more due to some of the injuries and 'Drive' not being out there. I'm inside, so there's different opportunities I'm getting because of where I'm located in the scheme."

Jennings has caught at least six passes in each of the last four games, a streak that includes an 86-yard touchdown against Miami and receptions of 30 yards against the Jets and 33 against the Cowboys.

But as good as Jennings has been over the last month, the Packers' offense would be that much better with the 35-year-old Driver back in the lineup and at full speed.

Driver practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, participating in the jog-through outside and then going into the Don Hutson Center to run.

"I had to run," Driver said. "Conditioning test. I did good, so I'm hoping it's OK to pull the trigger and let me go back to work."

He didn't know whether he'd be able to play against the Vikings on Sunday.

"I'm hoping everything works out, and I'll be able to play," he said.

In the meantime, Jennings is more than happy to shoulder the load.


UserPostedImage
bozz_2006
14 years ago
I really haven't noticed Jennings playing inside more. I'll have to watch for that this Sunday.
UserPostedImage
Cheesey
14 years ago
I really hope the docs are careful with Driver. If he's not 100%, hold him out. We are gonna need him.
No sense in letting him play if there is any chance he could make the injury worse, in my view. We are gonna need him in the coming weeks.
I think Jennings, Jones, and Nelson can handle the load this weekend.
UserPostedImage
yooperfan
14 years ago
I'm with Cheesey on this one.
We need Double D down the stretch.
gbpfan
14 years ago
i think if the run game can get going,D.D. out another game like all have said didn't realize it was that bad of an injury like our chances.
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : WR who said he'd break Xavier Worthy 40 time...and ran slower than you
Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Who?
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Texas’ WR Isaiah Bond is scheduled to visit the Bills, Browns, Chiefs, Falcons, Packers and Titans starting next week.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Spotting ball isn't changing, only measuring distance is, Which wasn't the issue.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : The spotting of the ball IS the issue. Not the chain gang.
Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Will there be a tracker on the ball or something?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : uh oh
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : Too bad camera's can't spot the ball as well.
Mucky Tundra (1-Apr) : So will the chain gang be gone completely or will they still be around as a backup or whatever?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : The method for measuring first downs in the NFL will switch from chain gangs to camera-based technology in 2025, the league announced.
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : A big step in the right direction. Just put in the college system is very very good.
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : NFL has passed a rule that allows both teams to possess the ball in OT during the regular season
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball to the 35-yard line.
beast (31-Mar) : It might of gotten more popular recently, but braiding hair (even men) in certain cultures goes back for centuries.
Martha Careful (30-Mar) : Is men braiding their hair a new style thing? Watching the NCAA men's tournament many players have done
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Ha. Well, it'd be nice for folks to reset their own password. Via validated email 😏
beast (29-Mar) : Monopoly was supposed to be an educational game, that show how evil capitalism was and how we should avoid it
beast (29-Mar) : Lol, I was thinking username would be better, as then I wouldn't have to keep an email up to date lol 😂
beast (29-Mar) : Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (29-Mar) : sure is
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Monopoly is a rip off of The Landlord's Game
wpr (27-Mar) : 28 days until the draft
earthquake (27-Mar) : Which seemed strange to my 9 year old self, that you could be a fan for a team other than the one you play for
earthquake (27-Mar) : Nothing eventful happened, other than it being clear that he was a bengals fan
earthquake (27-Mar) : And we went and hung out with him one afternoon, I must have been 9 or so
earthquake (27-Mar) : That’s wild, when I was a kid my friend lived in the same apartment complex in De Pere
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : Only career highspot was a 200 yard rushing game while playing for the Cardinals
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : He is a former Packer. Drafted out of Northern Illinois. Didn't do much in GB.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Despicable
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Former NFL. I think Packers too
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Some real irony of a QB as short as Wilson playing for the Giants
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Giants country, let's be the tall beings of lore!
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Russell Wilson signs with the Giants.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (25-Mar) : I don't think there is a significant difference. I use a user name for many. Others email.
Martha Careful (25-Mar) : email
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : would it be better to use EMAIL or USERNAME to log into a site?
wpr (25-Mar) : Thanks Zero
Zero2Cool (24-Mar) : New forum has the ability to Thank a post now.
beast (24-Mar) : And the only time they have won the Championship in an even year, was the first time they did, in 2006.
beast (24-Mar) : Since 2007, there have been 10 odd numbered years, Wisconsin Women have won the Championship in 7 of those 10 odd numbered years.
buckeyepackfan (24-Mar) : Congratulations Lady Badger Hockey Team. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Zero2Cool (23-Mar) : I don't think it's completed yet. it was just announced last month, right?
dhazer (23-Mar) : did netflix ever release the Packers documentary
Zero2Cool (21-Mar) : And it is glorious!
beast (21-Mar) : Unsigned FA QB Rodgers is supposedly in the Steelers building
Martha Careful (19-Mar) : But I don't own a car! So can I still use it in my apartment?
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : btw, new site auto updates
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : Woohoo!
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
2-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

2-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

1-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

1-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

31-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

30-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

29-Mar / Random Babble / wpr

28-Mar / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / dfosterf

28-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

26-Mar / Random Babble / Mucky Tundra

25-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

24-Mar / Random Babble / packerfanoutwest

24-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

21-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

19-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

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