Nov 19, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown as Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey (21) reacts during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

After 10 games, 574 receiving yards, 54 catches, and 7 touchdowns, it’s apparent to even the most passive observer that receiver Randall Cobb has become the Packers most dangerous weapon. On its face alone that’s impressive, let alone after Cobb’s impact on the return and running game is factored in.

The second year receiver has been such a revelation that Greg Jennings’ pending free agency, a major preseason storyline, has become a complete afterthought.

And it was so close to not being that way.

Nov 27, 2010; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is tackled from behind by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker LaMarcus Thompson (42) at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

Randall Cobb wasn’t an unknown commodity heading into the 2011 draft. Not only had Cobb made an All-SEC first team, but he had done so for the lowly Kentucky Wildcats. His return skills and overall versatility were also widely celebrated. Most draft experts had Cobb projected to go as high as the first round.

Yet Cobb fell, and six receivers were taken before he landed to Green Bay on the final pick of the second round. All but A.J. Green and Julio Jones, both top 10 selections, have been irrefutably inferior to Cobb. While it isn’t news to anyone that players often outperform those drafted ahead of them, or vice versa, it seemed odd at the time that Cobb fell so far. Nowhere is this more apparent than pick 44.

The Detroit Lions, wanting a speedy receiver to take pressure off Calvin Johnson, selected Boise State’s Titus Young. Young’s profile was very similar to Cobb: A somewhat diminutive pass catcher with fantastic speed and quickness who was highly productive in college.

Detroit will be left questioning this decision for quite some time.

While their career numbers are nearly identical at this point – Cobb has 79 catches for 949 yards and 8 TDs while Young has 80 catches for 990 yards and 10 TDs – these are two players moving in opposite directions.

Young hasn’t progressed as a playmaker despite increased opportunities. His production is basically the same as last year, and he hasn’t done anything to make defenses think twice about double-teaming Calvin Johnson.

Cobb on the other hand has been thrust into the role of lead receiver. And he has flourished. In the last six games alone, Cobb has 412 receiving yards and 7 TDs on 36 receptions. That’s more catches, yards, and touchdowns than Young’s entire 2012 season to date.

Now imagine what the Packers offense would look like this year without Cobb. Jennings and Nelson have missed a lot of time, and while James Jones has played great and deserves even more praise than he’s receiving, this team is two or more games worse without Cobb’s play.

It’s early, but the preliminary returns indicate Cobb could go down with Aaron Rodgers as the greatest draft robberies of the Ted Thompson era.

Oct 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) show emotion on the sidelines against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Packers defeated the Texans 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

It’s a philosophical point as much as it is a football matter: At what point is the offense of the Green Bay Packers no longer the dominant, elite unit to which we’ve grown accustom?

More specifically, what’s missing that is causing the offense to sputter against the Jaguars, one of the league’s least intimidating defenses?

As I predicted in the week 8 game preview, the offense did not function well as Aaron Rodgers didn’t have either of his go-to-receivers. As though you didn’t already know, those receivers are Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings.

Sep 13, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

No one can say definitely whether Nelson’s absence was the cause of the many short drives the Packers experienced Sunday. However, 19 catches for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns went through Nelson his last two games. To expect normal effectiveness after that production is cut out without an adequate replacement is just an unrealistic expectation.

Coach Mike McCarthy said that Nelson was almost ready this past Sunday, so the Packers will likely perform better this week against the Cardinals. That’s only part of the solution, however.

As Ray Rivard touched upon earlier, Greg Jennings’ sports hernia surgery has been delayed as a result of Hurricane Sandy. It’s now expected that this will end up costing Jennings another game as he recovers.

That’s an additional week that the Packers are a Nelson injury away from reverting to the form they displayed against the Jaguars. In the rough NFC playoff picture, that’s not something they can afford.

Donald Driver, a fan favorite, will be a detriment to the 2012 Green Bay Packers. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

In addition to winning a Super Bowl championship and a Hall of Fame induction every NFL players dream is to be successful and retire with the team in which he entered the league. For Donald Driver this dream will most likely come true, but I don’t think it should.

Life has been good these past two years for Driver. The 37-year-old receiver has won a Super Bowl championship and a Mirror Ball Trophy, awarded to the winner of TV’s Dancing With The Stars. He also restructured his contract, and took a pay cut to stay with the team he loves.

The dilemma is that the Packers, with Driver, will have six receivers, which is normal for the team as they often use all six at one time. Normally teams don’t carry seven receivers on the final roster because of depth needs at other positions. It wouldn’t make sense for the Packers who are loaded at receiver, and thin at offensive line and defensive backfield.

I understand Driver is a fan favorite, and personally he is one of my favorite players, but in the end I believe in what’s right for the team. Ted Thompson should indeed cut ties with Driver before the season starts. This will be a difficult thing to do, because Driver is having without a doubt one of his best camps as a pro, but keeping him will only hold the Packers back.

There are two reasons Driver should be cut: Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley.

Borel and Gurley came to the Packers as undrafted free agents in 2011, and both showed flashes of talent during last year’s preseason. Gurley is more of a possession receiver who has that ability to get the jump ball in the back of the end zone – something of which Aaron Rodgers is a big fan.

Gurley also proved his loyality to the team when during the 2011 season he was offered a pro contract by the Minnesota Vikings. He declined the offer to stay on the Packers practice squad, in hopes of making it to the pro roster. Gurley has shown so far during training camp that he is ready for the next level.

Borel, a former college quarterback, possesses great speed with good hands. With Borel there is also the opportunity for gimmick plays if McCarthy wants to confuse opponents. Borel could be a capable fourth or fifth starter in the future, but he may never get his chance.

Driver could very well have a great season, but Borel and Gurley could potentially have great seasons as well, on other teams. Sometimes you just have to let go of the fan favorite to see what you have behind him. As Packers fans, we all know about that.

Could this be the final season of Donald Driver's illustrious career? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Is there anyone better to talk about than Donald Driver?

Well, given the fact that there’s been so much attention given him the past couple of days, it’s time to consider the aging one.

Yes, at 36, Donald Driver is getting long in tooth, but certainly not in enthusiasm. The question being floated is whether Driver will continue with the Packers until his final day in the league … given that he says he wants to play until he’s 40 makes that question problematic down the road. Still at number one on the Packers depth chart one game into preseason doesn’t guarantee anything, especially with the breadth and depth of talent in the receiving corps this season.

However, we can probably say that, without any unforeseen circumstances, Driver will line up as the starting receiver when the Packers host the New Orleans Saints Sept. 8.

The question that won’t be answered until the season unfolds is the amount of playing time he will receive. Injuries and a drop-off in production last year are concerns, but nothing about which to raise the red flag … at least in my opinion. Granted, the drop in production last season was due to nagging injuries. (more…)

James Jones could be on the run to another team once the CBA is signed and free agency kicks in. This author thinks it would be a good thing for Jones and the Packers. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

James Jones will most likely be the odd man out for the Green Bay Packers …
While I like what Kevin McCauley over at Acme Packing Company has to say about Donald Driver’s shelf life and the upside of signing James Jones, but I am not convinced that Jones is valuable enough to get a big payday from the Packers … For three reasons: Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and the new guy on the block, Randall Cobb. (more…)