Pack93z
  • Pack93z
  • Select Member Topic Starter
13 years ago
I think many, including myself may have misjudged Ted's "lack of communication" and "compassion" in turning players loose.

Maybe, like some including myself, he instead does indeed form a wall to insulate his emotions from the task, a coping mechanism to "get through" the trying decisions that tug at the fabric of the person.

Doesn't excuse the sometimes lack of communication to players and fans alike, but at least it is an understanding of the cause.

It also doesn't diminish the overall quality of job that he has done in his tenure, including making those "ugly" decision.



A rare and revealing Ted Thompson press conference 



By Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel

July 31, 2011 10:52 a.m. |(0) Comments

Green Bay – Ted Thompson’s press conferences have become legendary for being question and answer sessions - without a lot of answers. But not last night.

Perhaps buried in the news and crazy pace of the opening day of Packers training camp was the somewhat revealing opening statement of Thompson, the team general manager.

Thompson acknowledged the Packers who were cut by him a day earlier, like longtime veteran Mark Tauscher and Nick Barnett. He also acknowledged the criticism directed at him – some of it on Twitter – for giving a simple, generic 'thank you' statement after the transactions.

“We were in the middle of negotiating and trying to get all our college guys done,” explained Thompson Saturday night 90 minutes before the first practice. He added that the business of the week was so hectic, he made the one general statement and then hoped he would have a chance to talk about the departures later. He seems to regret that now.

“I probably messed that up. That’s my fault.”

His follow up remarks Saturday night might have been passed off as disingenuous, a move suggested by his public relations advisors. But perhaps it was sincere.

Four summers ago I spent an hour in Thompson’s office (for that story) and he was dreading final roster cut down day. He admitted that thinking of roster cuts cost him sleep and turned him to prayer. It was obvious in every way he hated the process. Remember, Thompson was once an NFL linebacker too. And in his last camp, the coaches were raving about him - right up until they called him in the office. And cut him.

To Packers fans and even perhaps departing Packers (hello, Brett Favre) Thompson can look like a cold fish. After all, the Packers received a public outcry when they weren’t going to have the teammates on injured reserve included in the Super Bowl XLV picture. That bad decision was later reversed.

Talking about his emotional investment in his teams has never been Thompson’s strength. In fact, it may be his most glaring flaw in terms of relationships. But putting up a wall may be the only thing that allows him to do the ugly, but necessary, part of his job that forces him to decide what is best for the team.

“I’m more of a builder than a guy that says goodbye,” said Thompson. “So this has been a tough time, especially with guys that have been with us and helped the Packers win and be successful. There’s always going to be turnover, though, and change is inevitable.”

So, here’s what Thompson said about the Packers, some of them first round picks, others like Tauscher who played his entire football career from childhood through the pros all in Wisconsin:

“Mark Tauscher. I spoke with him, he is a true professional, always has been. He’s a great Badger and a great Packer. I told him when we were talking, ‘You’re probably a first ballot Packer Hall of Fame guy.’ All these guys, played a long time, done a great job. Mark was great in the locker room, great leader, great personality.

“Nick Barnett, I think he had eight years here and played outstanding. Again, another guy I had a long talk with. He really appreciated his time here, I think he’s even leaving messages through tweets, or something, to that affect. Very standup guy and did a lot for the Packers.

“Brandon Chillar. Brandon and I talked about when I played, I was sort of that nickel backer and when I was playing I knew how hard that was. And when I watched Brandon both in college and in the pros, I told him he was the player I wanted to be in terms of versatility and athletic ability. We had a great conversation and he was very appreciative of his time here.

“Brady Poppinga, a real hard nosed tough guy. He’s very confident in his rehab where he is and he thinks he’s in the best shape of his life and we wish him well. Played a lot of football for us.

“Justin Harrell a guy that never really got it going. He had some injuries that held him back, things like that. He received some public criticism and I think that’s unwarranted. He did everything we asked him to do and he worked hard and he played hard, it just didn’t work out. Sometimes that happens and if there’s blame to be had, it should be pointed toward me instead of Justin because he didn’t do anything wrong.”


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Packers_Finland
13 years ago
Ted Thompson saying tangile things...

Now that's a first.

Good read.
This is a placeholder
rabidgopher04
13 years ago
He's going soft!
Amazing Bacon Delivery  Service! Never be without good bacon again.
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (14-Feb) : Packers are hiring Luke Getsy as senior offensive assistant.
Martha Careful (12-Feb) : I would love to have them both, esp. Crosby, but either might be too expensive.
Zero2Cool (12-Feb) : Keisean Nixon is trying to get Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams lol
Mucky Tundra (11-Feb) : Yeah where did it go?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : or did you resctrict access to that topic?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : why did you remove the Playoff topic?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Tua’s old DC won a Super Bowl Year 1 with Tua’s former backup
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : *winning MVP
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Funny observation I've heard: Carson Wentz was on the sideline for both Eagles Super Bowl wins w/guys supposed to be his back up winning
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : NFL thought it would get more attention week preceding Super Bowl.
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Yes, the Pro Bowl. It was played Sunday before Super Bowl from 2010-2022
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : pro bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : From 2010 to 2022, it was played on the Sunday before the Super Bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : They moved it to the BYE week before Super Bowl several years ago.
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : it was always after the SB.....
beast (10-Feb) : Though I stop following pro bowl years ago
beast (10-Feb) : I thought the pro game was before the Super Bowl?
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : ok now for the Pro Bowl Game in Hawaii
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : If I was Philly I would try to end it instead of punting it
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : VICTORY! We have (moral) victory!
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Hey they mentioned that we 3-peted
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : seems to me the 49ers should have traded Aiyuk when they had the chance
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : if the Eagles get it down to the 1, do they Tush Push or give it to Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : 49ers have a money problem if they want to sign their QB
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Wait for real? Didn't he just get an extension two years ago?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : 49ers gonna trade Deebo. Interesting
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Replays always never seem to show the holdings
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Great throw by Hurts
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Where Carter falls prey to bad off the field influences (to be clear, not saying he'd clip someone though)
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Had Carter not gone to Philly were they already had a lot of old college friends, he ends up in a similar spot to Aaron Hernandez
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : I think some of his coaches told scouts to stay away
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : the street racing incident+conditioning and motivation problems
beast (10-Feb) : Then Carter was street racing, where the other car crashed and people died... and other teams were scared to pick Carter for some reason
beast (10-Feb) : I think the Saints traded up, giving their next year 1st to the Eagles, and then they sucked and Eagles got the 10th overall pick
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : wtf Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Getting Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round in 2023 was pretty darn good
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : for some reason i'm thinking of a draft where the Eagles where in the mid 20s and a top player fell all the way to them
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think so. I would need to look it up. Think it may have been Carolina's pick.
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : i'm not sure who i'm thinking of now
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : oh fuck me i messed that up
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Jordan Davis was 13th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Carter was 9th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles had 15th and 10th selections, moved to 13 and 9 to get Davis and Carter back to back
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles traded up for Carter, didn't they?
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Obviously he was a huge risk but getting a top 5 talent on the dline in the mid 20s is fortuitous
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Jalen Carter falling into their lap certainly helps
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : And we could only wish to have this type of D
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : It's not like Philly has had low draft picks, but has managed to get themselves a top notch pass rush. We spend so much draft capital of D
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : another crap halftime show
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think it is over, but then I think of Atlanta and want Philly to go in with the same intensity in the second half
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
2h / Around The NFL / beast

4h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

6h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

16h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

15-Feb / Around The NFL / beast

15-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

14-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / TheKanataThrilla

14-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

13-Feb / Random Babble / Mucky Tundra

10-Feb / Featured Content / Zero2Cool

10-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

9-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

9-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / dhazer

7-Feb / Around The NFL / Zero2Cool

4-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.