Afraid? I hardly think that's the right word for it. Negative about it? Maybe too smart? The Packers will be better off without Jennings and Jackson than Minnesota and Atlanta will be with them.

---

Ted, comotose, say it isn't so!

I'm beginning to think that coming/staying in Green Bay is a last resort for most players. There is something wrong when Greg Jennings goes to the Vikes for "a little" more money.

I used to be old school and want to hang on to veteran players right up until they couldnt play anymore ala Ray Nitschke. Now I see the wisdom in letting a player go two years too early instead of two years too late. The Patriots have been doing it successfully for a long time and they are perennial contenders. I think Ted Thompson is following that model. There is just too much risk in paying big bucks for someone elses retread. If it works youre a genius but if it fails you are looking for a job elsewhere. I would love to have kept Jennings, but you cant cant let the "tail wag the dog". He was demanding too much that would have jeopardized the future of someone more valuable in the next couple years. Getting Steven Jackson had me drooling, but when you pay too much for something that doesnt live up to your expectations, then you regret your decision. Ted Thompson is making the tough choices. Thats what they pay him to do. I believe he is keeping us competitive and for that im thankful. I have no desire to back into the abyss where I waited 29 years between SuperbowlII and SBXXXI.

Green Bay was viewed as the Siberia of the NFL for many, many years.

That changed somewhat when Reggie came here. Reggie got Keith Jackson to come here by telling him that a black man in Green Bay is a celebrity, because everyone knows you're a Packer. That's changed somewhat too.

Holmgren's regime started incorporating black culture into the organization.

One rap on Green Bay is that there's never been anything for black guys to do recreationally. They had to go all the way to Milwaukee for night life. I think that's changed somewhat, but the situation that went down with Nick Barnett's night club was not helpful at all.

---