Should Jordy Nelson Be Given the Starting Role over Donald Driver?

Donald Jerome Driver is one the greatest Green Bay Packers in franchise history. He leads the franchise with most receiving yards (9,666) and receptions (703) and is still going strong.

There was a time when people wondered if Donald Driver would ever get old. Back in 2009, when the then  34-years-old still had a burst of speed and great athleticism, and even pulled in his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season. 

Enter 2011 and it's a near 180 degree turn. 

Driver still contributes to the passing game and on special teams, but it is pretty clear that the best has passed for the old timer. He currently only has five receptions for a mediocre 50 yards this season. That puts him on pace for only 266 yards for the entire season.

Let's face it, Donald Driver is officially old, and it's only a matter a time before he loses his starting role, and maybe even takes a pay cut.

Enter Jordy Nelson, and the future for Driver's spot looks bright.

Nelson and James Jones were the main competitors for Drivers job for years, and Jones, for awhile at least, looked like the favorite to win the job. But last season showed that even though Jones is talented, he's not a consistent No. 1 receiver.

Nelson on the other hand, has been making the most of his opportunities. Since Week 16 of last season (a span of nine games), Nelson has 37 receptions for 650 yards, (averaging 17 yards a catch) and six touchdowns.

That would put Nelson on pace for 10 touchdowns, 65 receptions and 1,100 receiving yards in a 16 game span.

I don't think there's much more to it than that. Numbers and stats aren't everything, but they are certainly important. The difference between Nelson and Driver's numbers are so significantly different that I don't why Nelson shouldn't be given the job.