Walk Or Drive?

donald_driver Walk Or Drive?

Javon Walker is loaded with upside. He put that on display by closing out last season with 5 TD's scored in his final 6 games played.

What is the one thing that you most want to improve on this year?

"Wow, I can't really nail down one thing that I want to improve. I just want to get better. I want to take my game to another level. Like some of the plays that were made last year, I just want to make more of them. And jump out to a fast start this year." - Javon Walker: Packers.com

Fantasy owners everywhere are crowning Javon Walker as the new go-to guy in Favreland. And his top-20 average draft ranking at the WR position is a king's ransom. Especially for a player with only 1, 100-yard game on his career resume, and having had fewer balls thrown to him than the other guy. That other guy is former Pro-Bowler Donald Driver. You might remember Driver most from reading about his frightful neck scare/injury that occurred in the Packers opening day home loss to the Vikings last season. I say you'd likely remember that event, because there was nothing noteworthy about how Donald Driver played for the balance of the 2003 season. He wasn't physically or mentally 100% and it was obvious to many who watched the Packers season unfold. Driver was off his game, and he knew it.

Rich Eisen: Seventy catches your Pro Bowl season, just 52 last year. To what would you attribute the dropoff in number of receptions?

Last year, Ahman Green ran the ball well. We can't take anything from him. We spread the ball around pretty well last year, and for me to come off a neck injury was pretty hard. The fear that was in my eyes, as well as in Brett's eyes, is that I can't get this guy set up again, because that hit may end his career. We took focus in that. We spread the ball around a little bit more. But now I'm healthy, and I'm ready to play this game. I'm ready to go back to the Pro Bowl as well as win a Super Bowl title. - NFL.com

Both Javon Walker and Donald Driver as well as newly re-signed Robert Ferguson all figure to be significant contributors in the Packers passing game again this season. Ultimately, the debate over which to own in your fantasy league may boil down to draft economics and the nature of the investment. If you take into account the engine (Brett Favre) driving this passing game is 35 years of age and whose active playing status is now an annual review, a shorter term investment view of the receiving position may be the most intelligent approach with that much uncertainty on the horizon, especially for keeper or dynasty leagues. When you then factor the draft economics and luxury of selecting Donald Driver about 3-4 rounds later than Javon Walker, it becomes a fairly weighty case in favor of the man people seem to be forgetting about, Donald Driver.

A conversation with Donald Driver [NFL.com]
Random Questions with Javon Walker [Packers.com]
Photo: [Chris Callies: Green Bay Packers]

( Add your comments )

Recent Entries:
· Grant enters not guilty plea
· Davis apologizes for missing practice
· Can Indy finally grab Super Bowl?

(Note: separate multiple email addresses with commas)

Walk Or Drive?