Comments on: Tramon signs – nice

By: Cheesehead TV » Post Topic » From The “I’m Just Saying…” Dept.

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:13:49 +0000

[...] just read the most horrific thing in the comments section over at PackerGeeks. Working from some gargantuan leaps of logic, the talk of Driver’s disatisfaction with his [...]

By: DaveK

DaveK — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:25:03 +0000

I believe Hester a year ago got $30 million over 4 years or $7.5 a year. Williams, last season after the trade with the Cowboys, signed a $45 million deal for 5 years or $9 million a year. Benard Berrian got a 6 year $42 million deal or $7 million a year a few years back. Owens who turns 36 this season and with all his personality issues got $6.5 million for one year. Driver would not be overpaid in 2009 if he got $7 million per year . All that being said, Driver may be upset that alot of his deal is not guaranteed. He may very well not want new money but just some more guaranteed money. Again, we really have no way of knowing at this point.

By: bucky

bucky — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:40:38 +0000

Take a look at what other receivers are getting paid and tell me again that “there are a lot of teams willing to pay Driver 7+ million a year”. Again, I love DD, but he’s not one of the top 10 WRs in the game right now. He’s just not gonna make that money anywhere else, not at his age.

All that aside, I remain to be convinced that he is actually looking to get another raise. The sourcing behind Bedard’s blog post is thinner than the prosciutto I get at the local deli.

By: Kozak

Kozak — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:06:48 +0000

Nightmare scenario. Favre and Driver on the Queens.
I need to take a shower now.

By: DaveK

DaveK — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:52:37 +0000

There would be plenty of teams willing to pay Driver $7+ million this season. A couple teams in our own division would snap that up in a second. That being said, Driver and the Packers have always done well in their contract negotiations. I believe Driver’s last extension was in 2007 when TT gave him some new money despite Driver signing a four year deal the prior summer. All the new money in 2007 was tied to production and game day roster bonuses. So, Driver didn’t get a penny more unless he produced and stayed healthy. Props to TT for not playing hard ball with a player that was one year in on a four year deal and props to DD for accepting the new money based on production and staying healthy. If would be nice if all contract negotiations were handled by both sides like that as they were able to work out an extension that made both sides happy. But, that was two years ago and I am guessing that Driver wants another bump in his contract. We can speculate all we want but we have no idea if anyone is being unreasonable here. Driver may be asking way too much or TT may not be willing to extend Driver at this point in his career with two years left on his current deal. We just don’t know yet and it seems that some use any story to rail on Ted Thompson. Besides, I don’t think Driver is going to become a problem without a new deal. Does anyone foresee Driver sitting out camp or demanding a trade? I don’t. Worst case scenario with Driver is that he plays out the last two years and hits FA at the ripe old age of 36.

By: bucky

bucky — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:31:14 +0000

Do we know that Driver is looking to get another contract? The only reference I’ve seen so far is from Bedard’s JS blog, which identifies “sources” that say Driver is taking issue with his contract. The same blog says Driver’s agent denies the contract is at issue, and Driver seems to say he’s happy with his contract. Unless there’s more information out there, I’m not convinced that this is an issue.

And for Driver’s sake, it better not be. I love Donald Driver as much as the next guy, but he’s 34 years old, and scheduled to make $6.1 large this year (and $7M next year). I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t make that sort of money on the open market right now. I also don’t see the team willing to give him a whole lot more, not with Jennings contract coming due this next season. Jennings as the number 1 guy- and at 26 years old- will make more than the older Driver, who is a solid number 2 guy. If Driver really does have a problem with that – and again, it’s not clear yet to me that he does- then he can find another team where he can perhaps be a number 1, but I have a hard time seeng him making any more than he is now.

By: 56Coop

56Coop — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:05:41 +0000

I don’t think DD will get dumped either but TT has shown flashes of world class stupidity before. If he were so inclined to actually sit down with players & try to come to some logical agreement he had the pefect opportunnity 2 years ago with Favre who is now (hopefully) retired. That being said though, you have a great plan Joshy. If DD wants a couple more million I’d say he is as deserving of it as anybody. TT & MM should read this blog…

By: joshywoshybigfatposhy

joshywoshybigfatposhy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:36:41 +0000

i don’t think any gm with half a brain would ever dump dd. that would be world-class stupid.

but if it were up to me? well, thank you for asking…

i’d meet with driver and tell him – “look, donnie, honeycakes, you’re a role model. and still a good player. but you’ve got lots of good, young competition, and you’re not going to hold us up for an over-market salary — so how’s about we both get what we want? you go and practice, make like you’re doing the ‘right’ thing and show our young players how things SHOULD be done, and in, oh, say week 4, we’ll come to you with this offer (slide paper across desk and look all sneaky).”

i’d have the papers drawn up and ready to sign. and i’d be wearing a bad suit and stink of bourbon and parliments. and i’d have a smarmy mustache and lots of big, shiny rings. and i’d probably be named tony clifton or ray biggs or sal ‘the yellow dart’ pompeno.

By: Cindy V

Cindy V — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:11:22 +0000

My concern is that Tightwad Ted may use missing OTA and general unsatisfaction as an excuse to dump Driver. Why give TT the ammunition?

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:09:56 +0000

Ron

I am sure that is what DD is thinking, but what was he thinking last year, and the year before and the year before that. This is the 4th year in a row that he has asked to redo his deal.