Ted Thompson expected criticism for drafting Aaron Rodgers

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Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

13 years ago

This is what Bob Harlan recalled on the day the Packers selected Aaron Rodgers.

Every year, just before he’d make the No. 1 draft choice, he would always call me out of the room. And he would tell me who he was going to take and why. And I can still remember our conversation about Aaron Rodgers. He said, ‘I can’t believe the guy has fallen this far, but he’s there. We may catch some heat, because with Brett (Favre) here we’re taking a quarterback.’ But he said, ‘He’s the best player on the board and I’m going to take him.’

Bob Harlan wrote:

And here is what Ted Thompson's philosophy is on building a team through the words of Bob Harlan.

'When we’re in the draft room, my responsibility is to build the entire team. So he said, ‘If we’re deep at wide receiver and say I pass up a couple of great wide receivers, and the second game of the season, we lose a couple people at that position, I’m going to be kicking myself the rest of the year that I didn’t stick to my pattern and take those wide receivers.’ So he said, ‘I’m going to take the top player on the board, regardless of what position he plays, because my responsibility is to build the entire football team.’

Bob Harlan wrote:

It's hard to question if the Packers truly take the best player available after reading that.

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Greg C.
Registered

13 years ago

I think now that the team has been built up, they are a little less BPA (best player available) than they used to be, though that is definitely their overall approach. I liked this quote too. Thompson said this to Bob Harlan:

"Bob I’m not going to go out in April and sign a bunch of free agents and spend a lot of money just to please the fans and then regret it in November when they’re sitting on the bench and not contributing. We’re not going to operate that way.”

blank

PackerTraxx
Senior Member

13 years ago

Personally, I've always been an advocate of BPA so I like how Ted Thompson operates with the draft. Rookies are seldom ready to consistently have an impact unless you're a bad team drafting in the top 5-10. Thinking long term is more impotant. We've been fortunate the last few years that the best player was also something we could use ie. Raji, Bulaga and Sherrod. Also, we have not made any glaring mistakes ala Jamaal Reynolds, Ahmad Carroll etc.

Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?

wpr
Preferred Member

13 years ago

I have been surprised at some of the picks Uncle Ted has made but that is because i do not know a whole lot about the college talent. I can't fault the BPA concept unless there are extenuating circumstances.
I was thrilled when they selected Rodgers. He was a gift. I did not expect him to put up numbers like he is doing this year. But I remember experts for years and years say that it takes 3 years to develop a NFL QB. And that was before the passing craze we see today. I "assumed" Brett would be in GB for those 3 developmental years. And if Brett was able to make it a 4th year that was fine too. In my mind if worked perfectly.

Dexter_Sinister
Registered

13 years ago

)

I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

13 years ago

At the time, I would have been OK with Favre retiring after '06. Rodgers was ready in '07.

Originally Posted by: Dexter_Sinister

Aaron Rodgers was barely ready to take over in '08. That '07 season helped me a lot. It showed him how handle winning. Without that learning, and all that experience he gained, I'm surprised anyone thinks he was ready in '07. Then again, if you didn't see him practicing or during the pre-season, it is expected.

Nonstopdrivel
Preferred Member

13 years ago

Aaron Rodgers was barely ready to take over in '08.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

I beg to differ. Any man who can throw for 4038 yards (4th) with an average of 7.5 ypa (9th), 28 TDs (3rd) against 13 INTs (18th), a 63.8% completion percentage (10th) for a rating of 93.8 (6th), despite being sacked 34 times (5th), is more than ready to take over.

The biggest objection that could be raised to his play that year was that he held onto the ball too long.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

13 years ago

Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel

Anyone can throw stats up there and take them out of context to try and "prove" their fallacy. Fact is, Brett Favre made those receivers and Aaron Rodgers just fell into a really great situation because of it.

mi_keys
Senior Member

13 years ago

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

I'm guessing you're on a windup because I've heard that last bit before from a recent interview somewhere.

Born and bred a cheesehead

Nonstopdrivel
Preferred Member

13 years ago

#10

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

That statement is so wrong on so many levels I can't take it seriously. If you are being sarcastic, then follow your own rule. If you are being a dick because you're mad about something I said recently, at least have the decency to admit to it.

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