Professor

http://www.packersnews.com/archives/...25984280.shtml

New Driver deal worth $17 million

By Rob Demovsky
PackersNews.com

Green Bay Packers receiver Donald Driver has signed a two-year contract extension that runs through 2009.

Driver’s agent, Jordan Woy, confirmed the deal in an email to the Press-Gazette on Thursday afternoon. Driver had two years left on his contract, but according to Woy, he now has a four-year deal worth $17 million.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson wouldn’t comment on the specifics of the deal, but he did say he was pleased that Driver will continue to be part of the Packers for the foreseeable future.

“I will say this: Donald is a fine player, and we’re glad he’s going to be here,” Thompson said.

The contract actually lowers Driver’s base salary for this season from $1.36 million to $950,000 but almost certainly includes some bonus money to be paid this season. The exact bonus was not immediately available.

The extension also raised Driver’s 2007 base salary from $1.84 million to $2.7 million. His base salaries for the two additional years are $2.9 million in 2008 and $3.9 million in 2009. Driver’s original contract expired after the 2007 season.

The Packers haven’t typically extended contracts of players with more than one year remaining, so it’s unclear why they did so with Driver, 31, who caught a career-high 86 catches for 1,221 yards and five touchdowns.

stormdriver

I'll tell you why. Because Driver is all we have left now, and we don't need him going TO/Javon/Lelie on us too. I can imagine the front office will do whatever it takes to keep this guy happy.

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Professor

It's just a shame that the guy you pay is 31, granted receivers have been able to stick around and produce later into thier years more than other positions. you have to wonder though if javon didn't get hurt, how different last year and hence this year would be. Javon would prolly be locked up and things would be completely turned around. It just goes to show how one event can change the course of the future.

juggalo6772

Right on storm, but dont you think that money could have been better spent on a younger guy at WR? Most of the packer WR i remmber start to lose alot at his age.

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pumzy

I wouldn't be surprised if they did this to make the most of what is going to be favre's last season. driver already knows the offense and he was their best WR last year. with walker being gone, they need people who are familiar with what they do. they probably figured favre-to-driver was better than favre-to-(insert name of young guy here), and if they didn't appease driver he was going to become even more disgruntled. driver had two years left on his contract and he's already 31. I don't see him playing out the full 4 years, which makes keeping both him and favre happy the only logical reason for the extension. I'd be willing to bet if favre had decided to not come back this year, driver wouldn't have gotten this deal

Davey

Ok, Driver is soooo overlooked. I think I would take him over Walker any day. His attitude is way better. Remember though, age is an issue with this guy and hes taken his share of licks.

stormdriver

Driver is great for hot routes, but not as good at the long passes. That's why Walker was an asset, and that's why we should have kept both. Another issue is that out of all rookie WRs in the last few years, only one (Anquan Boldin) has gotten anything done as a rookie. Other than that, I agree with pumzy. Plus, someone with experience and knowledge of the offense has to be around to help the young kids out. As for the long passes, we have Ferguson and Boerighter, I just hope it's enough...

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Professor

driver averaged like 15 yds a catch last year and caught some deep ones, he was on my fantasy team and helped my team out immensely.

stormdriver

That's because he was the only suitable WR we had last year professor. He had a hard time later in the year when teams started double- and triple- covering him though. Hence 29 picks.. Favre would rather force it into coverage for Driver than throw it to a wide-open Chatman just to watch him drop it...

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chris_36824

Smart Move by the Pack