Jan 23, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) during the third quarter of the 2011 NFC championship game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

When the Green Bay Packers open training camp at the end of this month there will be a huge battle for the #3 WR position.  The Packers that will be battling for the position are Donald Driver, Randall Cobb, and James Jones.  Driver has been in Green Bay since 1999, and father time has seemed to caught up to the 35 year old receiver, so it will be interesting if he gets the #3 receiver spot, a roster spot, or pink slip.

Driver has had the privilege to get to play in one of the best passing offenses in the past decade, that also has been one of  the most stable.  Driver has only ever had 3 different quarterbacks pass him the ball,  future Hall of Famer Brett Favre, Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, and ” most wanted free agent qb” Matt Flynn.  That’s pretty incredible after 14 years in the NFL. If Driver had been drafted by the Bears, on the other hand, he would have all these names throw him the ball during the same career- Shane Matthews, Cade McNown, Jim Miller, Chris Chandler, Henry Burris, Kordell Stewart,  Jonathan Quinn, Craig Krenzel, Chad Hutchinson, Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie, and Josh McCown.

Driver’s career numbers are very impressive 735 receptions 10,060 yards 59 touchdowns.  Driver has had seven 1,000 yard seasons and seven seasons of 70 receptions or more.  He ranks first all time in Packers history in games, receptions, and yards as a receiver.  His time with the team though could come to an end in training camp.  James Jones has the talent to be as high as the #2 receiver except for his hands of stone as he ranked #2 in dropped pass % last year.  The other option for #3 WR  is 2nd year man Randall Cobb.

Cobb seems to be the choice that the coaching staff will be pulling for in training camp.  He has the speed to be a good slot guy like Victor Cruz was for the NY Giants last season.  Cobb had the sensational kickoff return on opening night last season against the New Orleans Saints. Cobb will be afforded every opportunity to seize the position in training camp.

Driver wants to end his career as a Packer, so he will need to prove to the staff he still has the ability although his stats state they are in decline.  The Packers are very strong at receiver with Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson as their top two receivers.  It must be a nice problem for Coach McCarthy to have to choose between so much talent to take the field at one position.  This will be the first season that the Bears will honestly be able to say, without the Martz propoganda machine in prior years,  they have as much talent  in comparison to the Packers at the wide receiver  position.  For a team that is considered nationally as a lock for the NFC North title, the Packers  have a lot of battles at many positions come training camp.

My prediction is that Driver makes the roster but not the #3 WR spot to start the season.  He will be counted on for his veteran leadership, and to be able to fill in if an injury does occur to the wide receiving core.  If he doesn’t make the team he still will be able to dance off the stage right into retirement as a life long Packer.

It was Bearly worth mentioning, but they are our rivals!!

DA BEARS!!!

White Meat Plays (guys I like)

1. Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant @ Detroit – Hell, I would probably also throw Jermichael Finley into this bunch…I think GB comes out and stomps Detroit.  I know Detroit plays tough on Turkey Day, because it is their birth right to host a game every year, but not this year my friends.  GB wins and wins big!!!
2. Marion Barber vs Oakland – Shocker, I am picking a RB to light up Oakland, but until they can stop anyone on the ground, I will keep picking against them.  The Oakland D is 30th against the run and they have allowed a league high 16 rushing TDs.  Surprisingly, they are not so bad against the pass, so I expect Barber to gain > 100yds on the ground and likely 2 TDs.
3. Brett Favre vs Bears - There is really no explanation needed.  The Beloved are hurting and Favre’s colors have changed, but the song remains the same.  Oh, and he has a pretty good running game to support a lot of play action over the top of our vaunted Tampa Two defense.
4. Whichever Cincy RB starts vs Cleveland - Whether it is Cedric Benson or Bernard Scott starting for Cincy, they should be starting for you.  They will light up Cleveland!!!

Dark Meat Plays (guys I don’t like)  (more…)

“They don’t have a receiver,” Driver said on the “Waddle & Silvy” show on ESPN 1000. “They don’t have any true receivers that step up and play and take their team to where they want to go.

“I love Devin, and Devin knows that, but Devin plays [defensive back]. I don’t think he’s just a solid receiver right now. He may become one as years go on, but it doesn’t happen overnight.”

Donald Driver should expect a whole bunch of this on September 13th

I don’t understand Donald’s motivation here.  Is it to add some fire to Devin Hester’sbelly?  Is it to provide some bulletin board material for the Bears wide receiver meeting room?   Maybe he’s lobbying to get out of Green Bay and offering his services here.  Either way, I would like to remind Mr. Driver that on September 13th, you will likely be going across the middle on a slant or crossing route.  Just remember to keep your head on a swivel!  I am sure the Urlacher and Ogunleye will be looking for #80!

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The Giants got the better of the Green Bay Packers on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field mostly due to the inept Green Bay offense than anything else.  The Packers couldn’t establish a running game and when they relied on Brett Favre to create some magic, he conjured interceptions.  It was a great game to watch, but more importantly, what effect will it have on the Super Bowl?

I’m afraid a Giants victory has spelled a disasterous Super Bowl.  When you take the Packers and the Giants and match them up to the Patriots the Packers have the best chance of making the game competitive.  When the game is played in sunny Arizona, the Packers speedy offense with weapons like Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Donald Lee, and Brett Favre could give the Patriots trouble.  Instead we get to see Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Armani Toomer, and an array of back up tight ends and runnings backs.  Any team would love to have Plaxico Burress but the rest of the Giants offense is adequate at best.  Favre has a cool head in the pocket, but Eli has shown that he can be flustered in the pocket and make bad choices.  I already have images in my head of Eli running for his life from Mike Vrabel.

The Packers defense had shut down corner backs in Al Harris and Charles Woodson, along with skilled linebackers in A.J. Hawk and good pass rushers.  The Giants bring good corners and a great pass rush led by Michael Strahan, but I get the feeling like the Giants defense is a one-trick pony.  They put too much faith in their pass rush getting to the quarterback.  When they don’t they are picked apart.  The Patriots offensive line is too good and Tom Brady too relaxed to let Strahan and company get to him.

The Patriots have shown that they can put their backs up to the end zone and prevent opposing teams from scoring touchdowns.  After seeing Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes take three attempts to make a field goal you have to wonder if the Giants are in over their heads. 

I have been hoping for weeks for any team to come out of the NFC that can compete and maybe even beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.  First we lost the Dallas Cowboys, and now the Green Bay Packers.  The NFC now has to rely on the shaky arm of Eli Manning and an overachieving Giants team that is about to take on the Evil Empire. 

Eli Manning is no Luke Skywalker and Tom Coughlin is no Yoda. 

The Packers loss takes away any shred of hope the NFC had to take the Super Bowl.  Eli Manning will have to perform a miracle in the Arizona desert to get his brother Peyton’s trophy.  I love an underdog as much as the next guy but I just can’t wrap my head around this one. 

Of course, if I was a betting man I would have bet the Giants would have lost to the Cowboys and the Packers.  I have been wrong before and could be again.  Perhaps this Giants team has some sort of destiny that could follow them to the Super Bowl.  It could also just be life laughing in the face of Tiki Barber sitting at home wondering what Arizona is like in February.