If the Green Bay Packers aren’t the true “America’s Team,” they are without question the unparalleled darlings of the NFL. Everyone loves the small market Packers with their amazing history, family-first approach and draft-and-develop philosophy.
There have been bumps in the road of course. Most notably would be the heavily-scrutinized decision to prevent Brett Favre, arguably the greatest Packer of all, from unretiring in 2008.
Now the Packers are faced with a similar dilemma with an equally-adored player in Donald Driver. The only difference in this situation is Driver isn’t playing the role of the selfish diva. He’s not ready for the press conference and he knows it. He has absolutely no desire to retire. He wants to play.
Even more than wanting to play, he wants to play for the Packers and is willing to take less money to do so. He’s not waffling and sitting back, making things difficult on the organization like Favre did. He’s doing everything in direct contrast to that.
Donald Driver is doing everything right.
The idea of Double D putting on another team’s uniform is a seriously depressing thought. But is it any less depressing than Driver’s skills declining further while a guy like Tori Gurley or Diondre Borel develops for another team?
In order to fend off suitors ready to add him to their 53-man roster, the Packers gave Gurley a substantial raise during the season that reportedly paid him three times his previous salary. It’s unlikely the Packers did that so he could spend another year on the practice squad.
Borel is a converted quarterback and punter who flashed glimpses of brilliance and at times looked better than Gurley last preseason. He has a tremendous upside and I don’t think the Packers can let either player go in good conscience.
However, Driver’s willingness to take a pay cut and announcing it to the world was a shrewd PR move that will put pressure on the Packers. Releasing Driver would make the organization look heartless. After all, this is Mr. Packer we’re talking about here — he’s contributed as much to the community as he has the team. Most fans will be firmly behind Driver and his team-first approach, even though the much bigger issue for the Packers is their wealth of talent at the wide receiver position.
We know Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb aren’t going anywhere, but can we say the same thing about James Jones? Although Aaron Rodgers went to bat for Jones last year, is he more valuable to the team than Driver?
From a physical aspect, Jones is the guy you’d rather have and is capable of some big plays, but Driver might just get the edge when you include intangibles, leadership, and locker room presence. Can Green Bay possibly be so cold-blooded to let Mr. Packer go, especially when he’s willing to do anything to stay?
With the luxury of hindsight it’s easy to see that the Packers made the correct call letting Brett go. Now they’re faced with a decision not as crucial to the overall success and future of the franchise, but possibly one that will be even more difficult.
If this decision were being made by Bill Belichick and the Patriots this wouldn’t even be a conversation. It would be a foregone conclusion. The Packers do things a little bit differently though, and it will be interesting to see where they come out on this one.
Although we trust in Ted, we certainly don’t envy the decisions he has to make.
Fuck Favre.
Be nice if they could maintain the status quo.
I’ve wanted to use James Jones as trade bait for awhile now may even be able to package him with the bum hawk.
Why would anyone trade for Jones when they could have had him in free agency just last offseason without trading anyone?
Think about it.
He came back and fixed his drops, he’s a bigger WR and has another year of service.
I like the Hawk/Jones package idea. Can we add Charlie Peprah?
Yeah, he’s a year older.
Why not throw in a kick to the nuts too?
That would make it a very attractive package.
cosign trade jones.
keep driver at a reduced price and let gurley and borel battle it out for a spot.
Driver can only stay if he learns to play ILB… making it more likely that we cut Hawk.
Hawk’s gone.
Driver stays.
Gurley starts (and with Finley gone we’ll need his size and inside presence).
It’s all gravy.
The NFL stands for Not For Long. It’s a business. Everyone knows that. And everyone knows their time with any team is limited. I say let Driver walk. I wish him the best wherever he goes. Hopefully, when his career is over, he can retire as a Packer.
OK Jerry Glanville
Borel and Gurley are easily replaceable or good trade bait. There’s always another draft class…Double D!
That’s a good point, VJ.
There is always the possibility of keeping 6 WRs as well. It isn’t like keeping 5 TEs has transformed the special teams into some crack unit. Why not keep more speed?
Since it doesn’t seem that other offers are luring the unknowns (Borel & Gurley) away from our practice squad, do we take a chance that either or both could be a bust? Especially considering the player that one of them could bump is Donald Driver.
Stick with Drive. He wants to and should retire a Packer. Its not like he’s a liability for love of pete. If the game is on the line & I get any wide open receiver I want in the endzone, give me Driver everytime. The pass will not be dropped.
GO PACK GO!