Are the Green Bay Packers better off now than five years ago when Ted Thompson was hired as general manager?
The record says yes. Thompson inherited a 10-6 team coming off a first-round playoff loss when he replaced Mike Sherman as GM in January 2005. Five years later, Thompson has an 11-5 team also coming off a first-round playoff defeat.
A one-game improvement in the standings doesnt seem like much, but a comparison of the Packers roster in 2005 and today indicates, on paper at least, an improved team with greater potential.
In a subjective assessment, the Packers have improved at 11 of the 22 starting positions, gotten worse at seven spots and stayed the same at four others. At three positions tight end, nose tackle and one cornerback spot the Packers are significantly better. They also have upgraded their depth.
Here is an analysis of how the Packers compare (better, worse, same) to five years ago. Players during the 2004 season Shermans last as GM were matched up against the current roster.
Starting offense
Quarterback: Brett Favre lovers will squawk, but the numbers suggest Aaron Rodgers (30 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 103.2 rating, 4,434 yards) is an upgrade over a 35-year-old Favre during the 2004 season (30 TDs, 17 INTs, 92.4 rating, 4,088 yards). BETTER
Running back: Ahman Green was in his prime and coming off a fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season (1,163 yards, 4.5 average). Ryan Grants rushing numbers are similar (1,253, 4.4), but Green was a bigger pass-catching threat (40 receptions compared to Grants 25). WORSE
Fullback: Theres not much difference between an aging William Henderson and the John Kuhn-Korey Hall combo at the least consequential starting position. SAME
No. 1 receiver: Javon Walker had one breakout season but flamed out quickly. Consistency gives Greg Jennings the edge. BETTER
No. 2 receiver: Its only natural that a 29-year-old Donald Driver (84 catches, 1,208 yards) had a little more spring in his step than he does now (70, 1,061), but there isnt a huge gap. WORSE
Tight end: The difference between Jermichael Finley (55 catches, 676 yards) and Bubba Franks (34, 361) is like night and day. MUCH BETTER
Left tackle: Until rookie first-round draft pick Bryan Bulaga proves otherwise, Chad Clifton remains the starter. But he is older, slower and more injury prone. WORSE
Left guard: Daryn Colledge hasnt come close to filling Mike Wahles shoes. If Wahle was a size 12, Colledge wears a size 9. WORSE
Center: Ill take my chances with Scott Wells over Grey Ruegamer. BETTER
Right guard: Thompson has been chastised for letting Marco Rivera go in 2005, but it was the right move. I favor a youthful Josh Sitton over a long-in-the-tooth Rivera. BETTER
Right tackle: As with Clifton, its admirable that Mark Tauscher is still around, but hes no longer in his prime. WORSE
Starting defense
Primary pass rusher: This designation will help in comparing the current 3-4 defense to the Packers former 4-3 scheme. Right defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was a sack machine in his prime but one-dimensional, and thus right outside linebacker Clay Matthews receives the nod. BETTER
Defensive end: Johnny Jolly is versatile and can be a force but has stiff competition against Aaron Kampman entering his best years. WORSE
Nose tackle: Grady Jackson doesnt reside in the same ZIP code as Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji. MUCH BETTER
Defensive line: I will take Cullen Jenkins over Cletidus Hunt any day of the week and twice on Sundays. But then, I would take just about anyone over the underachieving Hunt. BETTER
Middle linebacker: Nick Barnett still is the starter after all these years, and despite a potentially devastating knee injury in 2008, can still bring it. SAME
Linebacker: Brad Jones has only half a season of starting experience under his belt, but he looks good compared to Hannibal Navies. BETTER
Linebacker: A.J. Hawk gets criticized for not making enough plays, but his stock soars when matched up against Nail Diggs. BETTER
Cornerback: Five years and one serious knee injury have taken their toll on Al Harris. He cant possibly be as good, can he? WORSE
Cornerback: Ahmad Carroll vs. Charles Woodson? Thats like comparing my dandelion-infested back yard to Lambeau Field. MUCH BETTER
Free safety: Take your pick between two Pro Bowl-caliber players in Darren Sharper and Nick Collins. SAME
Strong safety: Atari Bigby has struggled the past two seasons, but hes a cut above Mark Roman. BETTER
Backup depth
Defense: Five years ago, bench players included R-Kal Truluck on the line, Paris Lenon and Steve Josue at linebacker, and Michael Hawthorne, Joey Thomas, Jason Horton, Chris Johnson and Bhawoh Jue in the secondary. Today, Tramon Williams is vastly better than Hawthorne as the No. 3 cornerback, and quality players like Raji and linebackers Brandon Chillar and Desmond Bishop cant even crack the starting lineup. BETTER
Offense: The 53-man playoff roster in January 2005 included Sean McHugh and Ben Steele at tight end, Robert Ferguson, Antonio Chatman and Andrae Thurman at receiver, and Steve Morley and Brad Bedell on the line. No wonder the Packers went out with barely a whimper in a first-round postseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau. BETTER
Other areas
Special teams: Other than kicker Ryan Longwell, the Packers special teams were mediocre five years ago, yet Thompson has failed to upgrade those units. SAME
Coaching: Mike McCarthy in four seasons has the same winning percentage (38-26, .594) as Mike Sherman in six seasons (57-39, .594). McCarthy gets the edge because he advanced to the NFC title game, while Sherman never got past the divisional round of the playoffs. BETTER