HONOLULU -- Donald Driver bluntly describes what it's like to be on the receiving end of a Brett Favre pass.

	Driver

"Hell. A lot of people don't like to say it, but it's hell," the Green Bay Packers wide receiver said with a smile. "A lot of people think he throws harder in games than in practice, but he throws harder in practice."

There was a time when Driver couldn't make such a distinction. He might have been on the receiving end of some Favre zingers in practice, but as a rookie in 1999, Driver had only three receptions. Had it not been for free agency and other extenuating circumstances, he might not be in Hawaii now preparing for his first Pro Bowl.

"He came into camp as the No. 3 guy, but emerged as the go-to guy," said fellow Pro Bowler and teammate Darren Sharper. "He had an incredible work ethic, attitude and displayed that ability during the season."

For most of Driver's first three seasons in the league, he was a situational player -- if that. Driver, overshadowed by Antonio Freeman, Bill Schroeder and Corey Bradford, had 37 catches for 520 yards and one touchdown in his first three years. Naturally, he looked forward to an increased role once the other three receivers departed through free agency or the expansion draft last year. Wrong!

Before Driver had a chance to audition for the lead role, Green Bay drafted Javon Walker in the first round of the 2002 draft, eventually acquired Terry Glenn from the New England Patriots, and figured to work 2001 second-round draft pick Robert Ferguson more into the mix.

There Driver was again, facing the prospects of being a last resort.

"You never thought you'd get the opportunity," Driver said. "You're thinking you'd still be the fourth receiver or the third-down guy."

But as time went on in training camp, Driver began to benefit from others' misfortunes. Glenn, plagued by migraine headaches throughout the year and never a consistent force, didn't spend enough time in camp to establish himself as the No. 1 guy. Ferguson and Walker, though clearly talented, weren't ready for such a role.

Now was the time, if ever, for the former Alcorn State standout to redefine his role.

"I just came in and decided I had to work to get the starting job. It wasn't going to be given to me," said Driver. "And I went in there hungry."

While running back Ahman Green and tight end Bubba Franks -- fellow Pro Bowlers -- remained integral parts of the offense, Driver became the most consistent target. And he did so by doing what he's done throughout his career.

"Nothing ever changed from the time I got in the league," said Driver, who finished with 70 catches for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns. "I went out in practice and ran the routes well, caught the ball well and learned the plays. And those are the things I focused on every year, all season long."

James C. Black is assistant NFL Editor for ESPN.com