Green Bay Packers wide receiver Diondre Borel is probably headed out of Green Bay. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

In keeping with his ability to fool us all the time Green Bay Packers Ted Thompson has once again thrown a twist into his roster decisions.

Today he made some cuts we were all expecting as the team nears the 53-man regular season roster.

But then again, he made at least one difficult cut that may have surprised more than just me. Tori Gurley was told to turn in his iPad  playbook this morning, despite a breakout performance last night against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was playing for his professional life – at least his life with the Packers. He was injured for much of camp and played in the final two preseason games. It was last night when he stepped up with a huge performance. He caught a 54-yard pass down to the 2-yard line on the Packers’ first scoring drive. He later caught a 15-yard pitch from QB Graham Harrell.

Another cut, if it is confirmed later today, was that rumor of Diondre Borel, Marc Tyler and fullback Nic Cooper have also been cut. Tyler and Cooper aren’t huge surprises, but Borel and Gurley were standouts last night against the Chiefs.

What this means is that if the Packers keep six wide receivers, it may be Jarrett Boykin who earns a spot on the 53-man roster. Against the Chiefs, he caught five passes for 82 yards, and a 12-yard touchdown – impressing the Packers coaches and all fans.

It’s highly unlikely that either Gurley or Borel will pass muster and have any chance of making it back to the team’s practice squad where they languished last season.

What’s kind of surprising is that Thompson wasn’t able to swing a trade for these two.

Aug 16, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Andrew Datko (77) during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. The Browns defeated the Packers 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Also somewhat surprising is the fact that the Packers cut Andrew Datko, the injury-plagued offensive tackle, who if healthy, probably could have added some depth to an offensive line that doesn’t have a whole lot of depth. The Packers are hoping that several of these players cut today will be available for inclusion on the practice squad. In addition to Datko, the Packers are hoping that Dale Moss, Tommy Draheim, and Otis Merrill, among others, will clear the waiver wire and be brought back to the practice squad.

This morning, the Packers announced the cutting of Gurley, in addition to these others:

C Sampson Genus

S Anthony Levine:

C/G Tommie Draheim:

T Andrew Datko:

TE Brandon Bostick

G Reggie Wells

T Shea Allard

WR Dale Moss

DE Lawrence Guy

WR Curenski Gilleylen

CB/KR Otis Merrill

OL Greg Van Roten

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Aug 16, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (11) carries the football during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. The Browns defeated the Packers 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers take on the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night in what most will consider a sleeper of a game. None of the starters will be playing any significant amount of time – and of course the outcome means nothing.

But don’t tell that to guys like Tori Gurley, Diondre Borel – and certainly don’t tell Jarrett Boykin.

The three backup receivers will get significant time on the Lambeau Field turf Thursday night and their entire career up to this point will be riding on that one game.

While Borel has gotten a ton of chances, his performance hasn’t helped his chances of making the team. However, for Gurley, he hasn’t had any chances because he is coming back from injury. For the first time, he’s now healthy and should be on the field a lot Thursday night. But for him to leapfrog Borel, he has to show some playmaking abilities.

Already, that’s what Boykin has been doing. He’s shown he can get open and that he can catch the ball in traffic.

So, it’s Boykin who has a leg up over Borel and Gurley. If he performs well again Thursday night, the Packers have a very tough choice. They already know that Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb and Donald Driver are locks. Will the Packers go with just that fab five or will they add at least one more to the receiving ranks? Will Gurley, Borel, and Boykin have any chance of making the 53-man roster? Probably not.

I feel that Boykin will be a practice team player and Borel and Gurley may be gone. I don’t see the Packers trying to hide them again on the practice squad, so they may have no choice but to cut them loose.

One of the deciding factors may be special teams. If there’s one who has done some things on special teams, it’s been Gurley. That may be a factor in the Packers officials’ minds as they make the final cutdown to 53.

Either way, it will be exciting to watch. It will be even more fun to stay tuned for how the Packers respond and whether they keep six receivers.

Which brings us to the running game …

Well, we’ll touch on that in an upcoming blog.

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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.

Diondre Borel

There are many who feel the Green Bay Packers will keep six wide receivers – maybe even seven – but that might seem unlikely unless they shed a tight end or two.

But as the Packers head to training camp in 10 days one of the more interesting battles on the offensive side of the ball will be at wide receiver.

Unless the position is hit by a string of injuries, we all know that the top five on the depth charts are going to be Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb and Donald Driver. If the Packers keep six on the 53-man roster, that would mean that final slot will come down to Diondre Borel or Tori Gurley. The Packers seem high on both of them as they were inked to contracts late last season, giving them pay raises and keeping them from bolting to other teams.

But the rubber hits the road at the end of this month as players report to the 2012 training camp and the competition – stiff competition at wide receiver – gets under way.

Aaron Rodgers was uncharacteristically quoted about a month ago in giving a nod of endorsement to Borel, but we’ve also see what Gurley can do based on his playing time in preseason last year. Throw Shaky Smithson into the mix and there’s another layer of competition. Smithson was a special teams standout last year and was kept around for that reason. Who’s to say he won’t come from the shadows to claim a spot because of his abilities with the special teamers.

Tori Gurley

Either way, this will be one of the most interesting competitions and one many will be watching. It could come down to a dropped ball here, a wrong route run there as to who gets cut and who makes the team.

This is what training camp is all about. In addition to the competition that will be occurring on the defensive side of the ball – at just about every position – wide receiver battles are going to be turning heads.

Personally, I can’t wait to watch.

Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) looks on during warmups prior to NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

As the Packers ready-up for the 2012 season, a persistent problem has continued to linger for multiple years.

No, it is nothing about the defense or having a consistent running game.

The problem is about, simply, having too many good receivers on the roster. It’s a great problem to have but it is still a problem that the Packers’ management has to deal with from year to year. Quite frankly, the problem continues to worsen as the years pass due to aging receivers like Donald Driver who continue to make an impact on the team. It’s also a problem allowing the up and coming receivers to have their own chance to show what they are made of.

With training camp approaching, the Packers’ organization is going to have to make some really tough decisions as to which receivers should stay and which will have to be let go due to the number and depth of talent at the position.

One way the Packers look to handle this problem this year may be by having more than five receivers on the opening day roster. The Packers have stuck strong to a five receiver roster for the past few years but it seems like this year will have to change the streak.

One way the Packers were rumored to have doing before was to consider cutting Donald Driver to make room for younger receivers with more of an upside. The Packers’ organization went in a different direction, however, and brought back the longtime Packer on a reduced salary for this season. Despite his age, he can still make an impact on the football field and maybe even still pick up those extra yards he is always known for doing. Being a Dancing with the Stars champion should only enhance his moves on the gridiron.

Though it seems as if Driver is secured for the 2012 season, it is difficult to imagine the Packers keeping him around for the 2013 season. But, according to NFL.com, Driver has said, “I’m going to play two more years, this one, then next year, then I’m completely done.” He would go on to also say, “(I’m) gonna put my cleats on the shelf and do something different. I’ve always said I wanted to retire a Packer and now I get that opportunity to retire for, as I always say, the best franchise in the world.”

As a Packers fan, I love Driver and would not like to see him in a different uniform but it is really hard to imagine Driver sticking around past this season. This is because of many practice squad standouts like Tori Gurley, Diondre Borel, and Shaky Smithson who have rejected offers to play for other teams on their active roster and, instead, have been tearing it up on the practice squad waiting for their time to play in a NFL game for the green and gold.

So it is not crazy to think that the Packers will decide this year to play with six and maybe even seven receivers on the opening day rosters. Heck, they have overloaded on positions in the past like tight end last year and fullback from two years ago.

Maybe this will be the year for wide receivers…

Yesterday I had the opportunity to sit down with Keith Myers over at The 12th Man Rising, the Seattle Seahawks’ Fansided.com site to answer a few questions about the Green Bay Packers’ offseason and the outlook heading into the 2012 season.

I’ve posted the exchange below, but if you want to see a great site, take a trip over to the 12th Man Rising and see, among other things, what they’re saying about their upcoming season, as well as what they think about former Packers’ quarterback Matt Flynn.

Enjoy.

Home » Seahawks » 2012 NFL Preview: Green Bay Pack

Aaron Rodgers winds up for the Packers. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Another day, and another team previewed. (I’m not sure I can keep this up for 32 straight days, but I will certainly try.) This time we venture to Wisconsin to take a look at the Green Bay Packers. The Seahawks and Packers have a fun history, first with the Holmgren era, and now with John Schneider coming to Seattle from Green Bay. And who can forget the “We want the ball and we’re gonna score” playoff game.

Helping me out with the preview is Ray Rivard from Lombardi Ave.

Biggest Team Need Heading Into Offseason: Defense, defense, and more defense

Key Free Agents Retained: Donald Driver, Jared Bush

Key Player Additions: Jeff Saturday, Anthony Hargrove (despite suspension)

Key Players Leaving: Chad Clifton, Nick Collins

Quick Thoughts on Draft: It was an awesome draft for the Packers. Picking up Nick Perry to complement Clay Matthews was brilliant, but the fact that GM Ted Thompson traded up so much to get defensive players from front to back was a stroke of genius and is going to help the team immensely.

Quick Thoughts on 2012 schedule: The start of the season is brutal with tough competition and a quirky schedule for the first month. Starting on national television with a 3 p.m. game opening weekend at home against the 49ers will be tough. But then the team has to turn around and play the Bears on Thursday night. That’s simply brutal. Overall, however, the Packers’ schedule does settle down later in the year when the games really start to count. While the division schedule is always tough, playing teams from the AFC South should play to their advantage.

Most Interesting Roster Battle: The defensive line, wide receiver and inside linebacker. Thompson went out and picked up some tough players to help improve the defensive line. The competition at those positions will be heated and the cuts that come from there will be interesting. As for inside linebacker, most would say that A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop are locks. I don’t thing so – especially for Hawk who had a so-so 2011. He will really have to battle D.J. Smith for that position, as well as others to be deemed the starter. Though most will see the first four positions at wide receiver as locks for Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb, the fifth position will be up for grabs between Donald Driver and second-year players Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley. The young guys are up and coming and could result in an interesting cut or even the possibility of a trade. Many feel that Jones is potential trade bait.

Biggest Strength Heading Into 2012: Clearly, the offense should again be the team’s biggest strength. Aaron Rodgers should lead the well-oiled machine to an even higher level in 2012. Is there any defense out there that can slow them down or even stop them? Maybe on a good day. The only way the offense was slowed last year was when the Packers shot themselves in the foot (versus Kansas City and in the playoffs against the Giants).

Biggest Weakness Heading Into 2012: The defense. Finishing dead last in defense last year was an embarrassment.

Biggest Question Still To Be Answered: See above … the defense will have the infusion of many new and young players. How they perform will be crucial to an improved defense. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has got to come up with more creative schemes to allow the Packers the flexibility to surprise offenses. Will the defense show enough improvement to put this team back into contention for another title? That’s the question.

2012 Prediction: Packers record: 13-3; NFC North Division Title; Super Bowl championship.

The Packers defense was exposed last season. The needed players at all 3 levels of the defense, and I’m not sure they did enough in the offseason to make drastic improvement on the stat sheets this year. They’ll be young in some key areas, but should improve as the year goes on. Luckily for the Pack, it wont matter that much. Aaron Rogers and the offense are good enough win their division even without much of a defense.

Expect the Packers to be pre-season favorites to win the Super Bowl.

Donald Driver has always been a fan favorite and will be for the rest of his playing career.. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“Tweeps: when I said I will be a Packer for life. It is now true. Packer for life” – Donald Driver

That was the tweet from the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leading receiver earlier tonight … fifty-seven characters that packed a punch in Packers Nation.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Driver’s agent, Jordan Woy,  said the two sides have agreed to terms and will finalize a deal tomorrow.

JSOnline best described the situation and how it has come to this point:

The drama all began in mid-January, the morning after Green Bay’s playoff loss to the New York Giants. Back then, Driver made it clear he wanted to keep playing – be it in Green Bay or elsewhere. With all four other wide receivers returning and Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel maturing, Driver’s future was certainly in doubt. Green Bay gave pay raises to both Gurley and Borel when other teams tried to sign them off its practice squad.

And it might be awfully difficult for coaches to keep the promising Randall Cobb on the sideline in his second season. Driver’ caught 37 passes for 445 yards, his lowest output since 2001. But his presence in the locker room is valued. Those younger receivers on Green Bay’s roster vying for a roster spot have lauded Driver’s leadership and former teammate Antonio Freeman said Driver’s going to fight to keep playing.

So many, myself included, have opined about the fact that the Packers would never sign Driver. They had too many young legs in the fold and the roster didn’t have room for a 37-year-old receiver in decline.

To a certain extent, that’s still true. But the Packers appear to be doing what everyone thought they should – because it was the right thing to do.

Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy have batted nearly perfect this offseason – striking rich on a few free agent signings (but not all), making uncharacteristic, but important moves to shore up a solid draft, inking a gob of undrafted free agents and have now capped those moves with the impending signing of Driver.

This news comes off the news earlier this spring when veteran offensive lineman Chad Clifton was released, and Pro-Bowler Nick Collins was also let go because of his neck injury.

It also comes off Driver’s winning of Dancing with the Stars, thus gaining nationwide attention.

So, come tomorrow morning, Driver will make good on his statement that he will indeed be a Packer for life.

Packers Nation is beaming as wide as a Donald Driver toothy smile.

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Is there any player more popular than Donald Driver? Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Jennings, Nelson, Cobb, Jones, Gurley, Borel.

Those are the names most people point to when they talk about the Green Bay Packers wide receiver position.

But one name, Donald Driver’s, keeps getting erased. Nobody feels he has a chance to make the team – if he is even invited back for an opportunity.

But don’t tell Head Coach Mike McCarthy that. “I would anticipate he would be involved in the workouts next week,” McCarthy said when asked about Driver’s role with the team.

After winning Dancing with the Stars, Driver is now focusing on the football field and is hoping, as he has said all along, that his role will be with the Green Bay Packers. Could we bear to see him in any other colors? We all know how we felt when Brett Favre was wearing other colors.

While Driver is an entirely different situation than that of Favre, seeing him move on would be disappointing and disturbing. To me, it is incumbent on the Packers to do all they can to keep the 37-year-old in the fold.

Most will say the NFL is a business with the ultimate goal to win a Super Bowl. To do that, you need the best players on the field.

I agree.

And while most will say the Packers would have a better chance of winning a Super Bowl by keeping their young studs, Borel and Gurley, over Driver. With that, I don’t agree.

I can certainly see the team keeping Gurley as he holds the upper hand over Borel. But to keep Borel over Driver? That would be a mistake.

Remember this catch by Donald Driver last season? That's what he brings to the team - clutch catches and incredible leadership. John O

Yes, Driver had his least productive season last year with 37 catches. But remember back on some of those catches … some of them were huge and clutch. Can the Packers rely on rookies to make the same types of plays? No way. Can they rely on rookies to lead in the locker room like a Donald Driver? No way.

Yes, Driver needs to take a pay cut – he’s already said he would. That end of the situation shouldn’t even play into the Packers’ decision. Get him into camp, let him compete and then make a decision about the roster spot. If the rookies shine so much as to make the decision easy, then keep the rookies. If Driver comes in and does what he’s always done, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be on the field when the Packers play host to the West Division Champions San Francisco 49ers on opening day.

Donald Driver has fast become the face of the franchise … at least he’s right up there with Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson.

And so, my guess is that the pundits will continue to hammer on the fact that the depth of the Packers’ wide receiver position will leave Driver as the lone man out, I counter by saying all that talk will only provide even more incentive for the veteran.

In fact, I’m going out on a limb here by saying the Packers will not only keep him, but he will help lead this team to another World Championship. When he does so, then he will certainly retire as not only one of the Packers most popular players, but one that has a legitimate shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Not bad for a seventh round draft choice.

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Jan 1, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) catches a touchdown pass in front of Detroit Lions safety Chris Harris (43) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Lions 45-41. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Donald Driver came out with a tweet the other day about being “…a Packer for life.”

Many felt it was his was of saying goodbye to the fans who make up Packers Nation.

His agent said that wasn’t the case and then Driver himself came out with this statement: “I think so many people right now are worried if I’m going to be a Packer. My contract is not over with the Packers. I will be a Packer for life. I don’t think that’s ever going to change. That’s what I want the fans to understand. Don’t worry. If you haven’t heard it from me or the Packers … You have to trust me [and] the Packers that I will be a Packer for life.”

So, just what does it all mean?

Both Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy were coy about clearing the air on the matter when they were asked about it just after the draft. Neither would directly answer the question focused on Driver’s future with the team. Their non-answers only leaves the door open and the questions flowing.

Even Driver’s answer above doesn’t bring closure to the situation. Though the Packers didn’t use any draft picks on a high-profile wide receiver, the team has brought in some through the undrafted free agency route. The team’s commitment to Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley had also run the red flag up the pole about Driver’s future.

Somebody is going to get cut or moved in some manner, so where does that leave Double-D? Do the Packers accept his offer for a pay cut and bring him into camp to allow him to compete and let the chips fall where they may? Or does the team just cut him and move on?

Well, in my mind, that isn’t an option. Driver is too popular and one of the most recognizable faces in franchise history … and that’s saying a lot for a franchise closing in on 100 years.

So, are the Packers and Driver holding negotiations on something else? Some sort of deal that will indeed make him a “Packer for life?” It’s possible. Anything’s possible.

My only hope is that Driver isn’t just dumped by the team. He’s too valuable of a player and too classy of a man to allow something like that to happen.

If the Packers and Driver do part ways this season, then let’s hope it happens amicably and without bad vibes.

We all want Driver to be a Packer for life … and though the odds are long, it would be nice to give him one more shot at a Super Bowl championship.

Has the Donald Driver situation affected negotiations with Tori Gurley? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The Green Bay Packers signed six players off the practice squad today with the exception of Tori Gurley, the intriguing wide receiver out of South Carolina who has drawn a lot of interest by other teams around the league.

Is there a particular reason Gurley hasn’t been signed yet? Is there any connection between the future of Packers veteran Donald Driver and Gurley? Just asking.

Driver went on record this week about his future, saying he wanted to play until he’s 40 and if the Packers didn’t want him back, he would move on and play for another team. Driver is due a $2.2 million roster bonus in March with a $200,000 workout bonus, so does the fact that the Packers haven’t signed Gurley indicate that they are trying to work out some sort of deal with Driver?

Most are saying that unless Driver accepts a drastic reduction on his deal, he most likely will be gone, mainly because of the promising future of Gurley, as well as Diondre Borel.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers have exclusive negotiating rights with Gurley for a week after the season ends, then other teams may get involved in the bidding. The Vikings nearly snatched Gurley away during the season, but the Packers sweetened the pot so that Gurley would stay in Green Bay.

“I have no regrets,” Gurley said of his situation. “As a player, I developed so much in a short amount of time and I was fortunate to be with (Donald) Driver, Greg (Jennings) and A-Rod (Aaron Rodgers) and the other receivers. I really just matured from August until now.

“I look forward to building on that. I feel like I have a foundation. Now I just have to put in the work to make this team.”

For now, Gurley is a man in limbo, while Driver is a veteran somewhat on the outside looking in. It will be interesting to watch what happens.

The practice squad players who were signed:

• WR Diondre Borel
• OL Sampson Genus
• CB Brandian Ross
• FB Jon Hoese
• OT Chris Campbell
• NT Johnny Jones

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He made it … but not the team full roster. He once again was signed to the practice squad today, along with seven others who were with the team in training camp. The group includes WR Tori Gurley and QB Graham Harrell, who many thought would make the regular roster.

GM Ted Thompson today made the announcement and it was made official by the Packers’ PR department.

The complete list of those signed to the practice squad are as follows:

WR Diondre Borel, T/G Ray Dominguez, C Sampson Genus, WR Tori Gurley, QB Graham Harrell, CB Brandian Ross, RB Brandon Saine and WR Chastin West.

Among them has been WR Chastin West, which means that Tori Gurley still has a shot. However, according to JSonline, the Packers will keep just five receivers, meaning Gurley will be release as well (see earlier post about West and Gurley).

The list includes five undrafted free agents and two sixth round picks.

 The following is the list posted at JSonline …

Players released:

• • OG Caleb Schlauderaff, 6th-round pick in 2011
  • CB Brandian Ross, undrafted rookie in ’11
  • WR Diondre Borel, undrafted rookie in ’11
  • OG Sampson Genus, undrafted rookie in ’11
  • CB Brandon Underwood, 6th-round pick in ’09
  • WR Chastin West, undrafted free agent.
  • WR Kerry Taylor, undrafted rookie in ’11.

Keep checking back for more updates …