Donald Drive: Stay or Go

As frightening and vomit-enducing as the post title may be, this is now the question that needs to be asked. I didn't want to bring it up, Kevin Roberts over at Bleacher Report did, so I had no choice but to examine the topic. When I first clicked the link for the article I was already fuming and expecting to be even more fume enhanced by the time I was done reading it. As much as I wanted to e-murder this guy with hurtful words and slander, I just couldn't because, well, he may be right. He convinced me. Read the article and you will also be convinced.

Here is the good stuff:

In his final 11 games this season, Driver topped 76 yards receiving just twice, while topping 70+ just once in his final six (including playoffs). And out of those six outings, three went for 43 yards or less.

Whether it's Driver actually slowing down, struggling to get open, or just not being relied upon, something isn't quite right.

True, it's only starting to happen now, and it's just one small late-season fade, but the question is, is it a fluke, or is it a start of a trend?

That's the question many GM's are faced with when deciding whether or not to hold on to aging veterans: Is this how they're playing right now, or is this how they will continue to play?

Also this stuff:

If Driver does begin to slow down, and Green Bay is still paying him big money (or even keeping him as the starter), are they hurting themselves in doing so?

And just as important, are they hurting the development of their two young, talented receivers?

James Jones and Jordy Nelson, two young receivers with good speed, excellent hands, and good playmaking ability, are simply wasting away as third and fourth options, while Driver keeps chasing records.

Jones has found ways to still be a factor as the main slot receiver, as he caught 32 passes for 440 yards and five touchdowns in his third season.

But considering he had better numbers as a rookie back in 2007, it's arguable that there is talent worth tapping into, that won't be realized until Driver is gone.

Now, this doesn't mean Driver isn't on the team next season or that we all hate him, it's just that both James and Jordy could both very easily replace Double D. It's sad to say, and the professional writer Kevin Roberts hints to this, but I will just say it: Driver can be replaced. I still love Driver and hope he is a Packer for the rest of his days, but not at the expense of less production from younger and more talented receivers, i.e James and Jordy. Driver will need to take a reduced role and become our version of what Troy Brown was to the Patriots. Be that guy Driver. Be that guy.

On the other hand Driver could very easily be awesome again next season and I would say lock him up till 2019. It's unlikely, yes, but I want to see as many Driver first down shimmies as I can in the future because they bring joy to my heart and also make me want a Big Mac. It's more likely that the Driver of the future will be the one we watched fumble on the second series of the game and then drop a huge pass later in said game. Rodgers doesn't go to Driver in key situations anymore. He looks to JERMICHAEL and he looks to Greg Jennings and to James Jones. We all saw the Pittsburgh game where he hit Jones on 4th down for a TD, and similarly hit Jones for a TD on 4th down again in the Cardinals game. It's globvious to me.

NOTE: I want Driver to break the Packer recieving record. I love him that much.