A year ago, the Green Bay Packers were going through a couple of controversies that everyone was talking about. Brett Favre was about to un-retire, and Ryan Grant was holding out for a new contract. Eventually, Favre was traded to the Jets and Grant signed a long term deal to remain the Packers number one back.
I thought this year might be controversy free. It looks like I was wrong.
Things aren't going exactly as planned in Titletown. Not every Packer is happy with their current situations.
Aaron Kampman refuses to talk to the media about his move from defensive end to outside linebacker.
Nick Collins reportedly wants a new deal and is skipping OTA's not because of his father's death, but because of his contract.
I can just see Packers GM Ted Thompson walking around with that frustrated look on his face. The same look we saw for most of last summer.
Kampman may not be talking about his position switch, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he's unhappy with it. It could just be that the guy wants to work and learn his new position. Kampman isn't a big talker anyway, so at the moment it doesn't faze me that he didn't tell reporters how things were going.
Collins will earn a little over $3M this year, but has apparently been looking for an extension. The second round pick from 2005 racked up seven interceptions last year, his best season so far. If the Packers stay true to their policy of taking care of young players, then Collins almost certainly will get a new deal.
Driver - on the other hand - is the one that concerns me the most. He has two years and nearly $8M left on his deal, and is coming off his worst statistical season since 2003.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Driver, who signed a $17M extension before the 2006 season, has approached the team about re-working his deal for four straight years. This is the same Donald Driver who is loved by Packer Nation for his work ethic and community work. This is not the Driver we have seen publicly for almost a decade.
I know that NFL players think they have to get theirs while they can, but Driver is picking the wrong time to moan and groan about his contract (I know he hasn't said anything publicly, but he's not in camp, is he?)
Driver may be the veteran of the group, but he's not the go to receiver anymore. He shares that role with Greg Jennings. Instead of being the #1 WR, Driver is now #1A.
And speaking of Jennings, we all know he's been looking for a new deal (deservedly so after the numbers he has put up in the last two seasons). However, Jennings is in camp, participating in OTA's. He obviously thinks that showing the Packers he's willing to work as opposed to holding out will get him what he wants. And, don't be shocked if it does.
Driver is not a dumb guy. He has to realize that the Packers have priorities. He's 34 now. Who does he realistically think is a bigger priority in Thompson's mind? A receiver who might very well be on the downside of his career? Or the 25 year old who has far more left in his tank?
On top of everything, Driver is seemingly complaining about his contract in the worst economy since The Great Depression. He has two years and almost eight million dollars left to go on his current deal. He will get his. Joe Fan who might be out of work and trying to make ends meet on unemployment checks isn't going to feel sorry for Driver. I know I don't.
I am honestly surprised that Driver is doing this. I thought he knew better.
But I guess I was wrong. And so is Driver.
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