Ted is hard enough to figure out and this year looks especially hard to predict how he feels about the team.
Dynamics to consider:

1)We're going to lose a couple of players for sure. Jennings and maybe Finley.

2)He drafted heavily on the defensive side of the ball last year. Will he go more balanced this year?

3)We will get Bishop,Smith, and Perry back on D. I'm guessing he wants Woodson back too.

4)We get Bulaga and I would hope Sherrod back as well on offense. Does Ted Thompson feel like the OL will have what it takes with those guys back in the mix?

5)With the cap issues on the horizon I do not see Ted Thompson trading up but using all or gaining picks to stockpile less expensive talent.


Picking in the mid 20's all the time we see all the top OL and DL picked other than who Ted has swooped up if still around. He's gone OL in the first with Bulaga and Sherrod then Mathews, Raji, and Perry. All had one thing in common. They really weren't predicted to be there when it was our turn (well, Mathews wasn't but what a move).

So I figure this year it really doesn't matter what position it is but hope for a top player to slip between the cracks and Ted jump and then work his magic from there.

Who knows what he's thinking though?

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I just hope to see top talent added to the team, almost regardless of position. The Packers have a lot of talent, but they need more. This a great draft to go almost strictly best pick available, within certain pre-defined criteria, of course. There is literally not a single position other than QB in which the Packers couldn't use a top talent at. Let the draft fall as it may, and draft accordingly. Hopefully this will work in Teds Favor.

1. wouldn't be shocked if woody falls into that group. It all depends on his willingness to restructure.

2. It is possible. Still may be heavy on the Def. WR, TE, QB,even OL are not critical needs. (upgrades always welcomed.) DL, OLB and S more pressing.

3. For the right price. He has the Packers over a barrel. He is the $10 mil man for the next 2 years. Contract : 2013-2014: $6.5 million (+ $2.5 million roster bonus due 7/24 + $1 million in per-game roster bonuses). But they take a $4.2 million dollar hit for the next 2 years if they release him.

4. Who knows what he thinks. IF both are healthy going into the draft and then TC, I think he is willing to let them play a year and see. Bulaga has not been bad. Learning and getting better. Sherrod looked like a rookie but had flashes of being a first round pick in the little he played. If one of them were to fail then Newhouse or Barclay will get a little more PT. I could see Uncle Teddy adding an interior lineman especially a C in the draft.

5. He trades up so rarely it would have to be a special player at a price (draft picks) he loves. I hope he doesn't trade down too much. There are not a lot of needs and extra picks will only be squandered.

To hear him talk he just works the board and let's the broad tell him who to select. Very simplistic but he doesn't tell us much more than that.

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I think between Newhouse and Sherrod we have LT covered - let's face it, we won't get a blue chip prospect there as long as we have the quality of quarterback we've become use to. But LG and Center are both positions that could use upgrading from what we currently field.

On the d-line we have NT covered, but would anybody mind another huge body as a late round project? I'd love to go get Paul Kruger in free agency to have our bookends and then let Perry beef up and play DE opposite Neal - but Uncle Ted probably wouldn't do that.

Our roster is pretty good now, but BPA is the way to go.

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Even though conventional wisdom says 1st pick should be OL, DL or LB Ted will go against CW and take a wide reciever with his 1st pick.

Woodson's $10 million per year this year and next has no cap penalty to cut him loose.
The structure: (rough amounts - he's actually $9,437,500 this year and $10 million next year)
Base Salary - $6.5 million
Roster bonus - $1 million
Game bonus - $2.5

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2005 - Rodgers
2006 - Hawk
2007 - Harrell
2008 - traded (Jordy in the 2nd)
2009 - Raji at 9 and Clay at 26
2010 - Bulaga
2011 - Sherrod
2012 - Perry

The average weight of the Packers six first round picks in the past six years is 302 pounds. The best bet is a lineman, but the smart money will not bet on whom Thompson will select.

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C, ILB, and S are where we could most likely get a top player with our pick since they are generally undervalued. Actully, I've never totally understood this because it is important to be strong up the middle in any sport, even chess and checkers. A scenirio I wouldn't mind is trading out of the first round to pick up someone's top third of the round 2 pick and their 1st next year.

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BPA, but guaranteed he takes a WR in the 2nd or 3rd.

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He should be fired. He is not doing the proper blend of repairing holes with veteran talent coupled with wise draft choices.


His drafting is fine. It is his apparent stubborness to stick to that as basically his only choice that makes me want him gone.

He is LATE in his choices if that is his philosophy. If he is all about the draft, he is LATE MOST OF THE TIME.

Capers can hit the fucking trail also.

We have been squandering Rodgers talent and low cap number/salary and it has been pissing me off. Younger viewers are used to awesome QB talent. Me, I will always remain concerned, and imo, rightfully so. It is a PARTY to build a team around a QB vs. building a QB around a team. Ted is FAILING US, imo

...and I like Ted. [palm]