Donald Driver Counter Point

I think it’ss be tough for more than one receiver to get 1000 yds this year. That will probably be Jennings or Finley. But Driver will play like a #2.

In a foot race? You’re going to tell me that Hines could beat Donald in getting into receiving position quicker? No way, buddy.

Ben has the distinct advantage of being able to break tackles like nobody’s business at QB. That buys him considerable time. And he can throw with someone wrapped around him.

Number two is that Hines knocks people down on the way to his routes! And he powers through tackles. But does he have Donalds mobility? Nope. It’s not even close. The only difference last year was an injury which DD appears to be completely recovered from.

You know how quick the Pack offense operates! Donald is a clear target. And with more people worried about Finley, Jennings and now even Nelson…? DD makes those numbers. It’s why I’m willing to bet on it.

could ALL 4 OF THEM have around 400-500 yards. Jennings should be around 1,100-1,200 again, and if healthy all season Finely should be close to 1,000.

He’s allowed his opinion just like you are! If it weren’t for Drivers leadership he would NOT be in GB right now! Jenkins, Barnett et all can attest to that! Drivers numbers can and will be EASILY replaced!

You are way too confrontational.

I think Driver will have around 45 catches for 500ish yards and a few TDs.

it’s unrealistic, Driver will be sharing catches will Jordy, Cobb, Jones, Jennings, and Finley. No way he produces that much.

I mean, intangibles are all that matter!

Yes, stats were around before then, however the way people treat those stats is totally different as a result of these things. Really the access to stats and these products cause people to interact with football differently and skews the sense of value in a player. Or we try to reach for numbers to make our point when the answer lies in a more subtle fashion.

Driver’s value is a very good sense of this. Right now Driver is not going to be as productive a receiver as he used to be…granted. However, just because his numbers drop doesn’t mean that he doesn’t provide for the team. If you take the numbers out of it Driver is still a very good WR and will be should be able to fit into the role that the Packers need him to. That’s why he deserves a roster spot and why the Packers are better off that he is playing this year.

Oh, and I voted 401-500, btw. …and the lower his total is, the happier I’ll be. DD is great when it comes to tough, clutch catches. But he’s not as explosive as a handful of other guys. So, we should lean on him for those key catches, and let everybody else carry the load. That’s how he should be used.

Fine a less reasonable point then. Or better yet a straight up question….

Who will give more to the offense in 2011…DD, Chastin West, or Tori Gurley?

If the answer is anything DD you’re kidding yourself. Regardless of number the quality plays and routes that he will run will be better than that of West or Gurley. You can even add in the special teams play that either (or both) of those guys will give and that STILL won’t match what DD can bring as a weapon in the offense….even if his numbers are significantly down.

Really the special teams argument is a tired and sad one for younger players. For all the years that Bush has been craptacular in the secondary we hear of his special teams skills. I can think of one game where I watched and thought to myself “Wow, Jarrett Bush is a hell of a special teams player.” If the only argument for them is their special teams contribution is that then I’m unimpressed. Let’s get something straight here, DD will see the field. This isn’t an Al Harris situation where the guy has barely anything in the tank and won’t see the field unless he’s playing special teams.

You’re right, it is a clear choice. I have yet to see any point for cutting DD other than “He’s old and makes a lot of money” or “his receptions have gone down.” He’s still making big third down plays. He’s still a guy the Packers can rely upon. He still makes the receiving corp better….I would say that he makes the corp better than West or Gurley would as well.

I’ve never advocated that. I’m just saying, in an ideal world, Driver would have broken the receiving yards record last year and retired in the offseason. The Packers would be better in the long run.

A good young WR just so Driver can break a record? Does the #4 ring a bell?

I’m not sure he has the strong personality that Driver does.

That said until last year one the main problems the Packers had was leadership. The Pack would sometimes fold in the big game and under perform or stumble out of the block. As we go through this year and try and defend the Packers will need all the leadership and mental toughness they can get. Keeping DD in the mix is something that will be very helpful for that goal.

Thought it was necessary to clarify so AdamA doesn’t rape me

I want to start with a disclaimer. Besides any of the emotional reaction we all had to Favre going to the Vikings I hated that move from a football perspective. It summed up everything wrong with the win now philosophy that some franchises have. I thought it then and I still think it now. (and Stroh’s comment about the #4 bell just came up so these thoughts are relevant).

That said, there are also finite windows of opportunity for a team to win championships. These windows are small and you need to put in every last bit of value you can into those years in order to make your push. Right now this is one of those years for Green Bay and the best value we have is our WR corp. That means trying to put as much taltent there to maximize production this year. In short, we shouldn’t sacrifice.

The contracts are such that long term thinking isn’t as critical as leadership and production. That’s why I don’t buy into the notion that West or Gurley have more value (as academic as it may be). It’s why I don’t believe that the Packers are worse off for having Driver around….rather I would say they are better off. Running 5 wide with Driver in the mix sounds better to me than having West or Gurley in the mix, especially in crunch time situations.

I changed it already. It applies to me either way.

Playing time is tied closely to Driver. Cobb’s niche is the slot, where Driver plays. Driver plays alot, Cobb does not. Cobb is gonna be our Welker…

Fail.