Zero2Cool
16 years ago
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The approval rating for Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson might have plummeted to an all-time low this week.

Dealing with the lingering effects of the Brett Favre trade last summer followed by the Packers disappointing 6-10 record was bad enough. But when Thompson failed to land any players in the early stages of free agency, his critics began braying like rented mules.

The rallying cry from a restless fan base went something like this: Do something anything to upgrade the roster and appease us.

To which Thompson, during an appearance at the University of Wisconsin pro day on Wednesday, calmly replied: We dont want to sign a guy just so we can say, Look! or just to put another guy on the pile. We want a guy who can come in and fill a particular role. It doesnt have to be a starter, doesnt have to be all that. If a guy can do something to help our team and give us a better chance in the fall, thats what well do.

Crack on him if you must, but at least give Thompson credit for standing up for his convictions. He refuses to engage in senseless overbidding for underwhelming talent even in the face of sharp criticism.

Thats why Thompson took a pass on free agent defensive lineman Chris Canty, who signed with the New York Giants for an exorbitant $42 million over six years despite never earning a Pro Bowl berth.

Thats why Thompson never bothered to enter the bidding for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who was paid a kings ransom $41 million guaranteed and $100 million total over seven years by the Washington Redskins.

Thompson never will let the urge for a quick fix get in the way of common sense, and that drives his critics nuts. They want instant gratification, which is in stark contrast to Thompsons measured approach to building a team.

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder might be considered the anti-Thompson in NFL circles.

He grew up a staunch supporter of the Redskins, and when he bought the team a decade ago proceeded to act out like a fan. That is to say, he threw millions of dollars at the most attractive free agents in a quest to achieve immediate success.

In the eyes of many Redskins fans, no one is smarter or more popular than Snyder in the spring. But when the Redskins consistently flop in the fall, no one looks more foolish.

The Redskins have qualified for the playoffs just twice in the last nine seasons under Snyder and never have advanced past the divisional round.

But that didnt stop the free-spending Snyder from doling out $171 million in contracts last week for Haynesworth, cornerback DeAngelo Hall and guard Derrick Dockery.

In stark contrast, the only unrestricted free agent Thompson signed in 2007 was cornerback Frank Walker, yet the Packers went 13-3 that year and advanced to the NFC championship game.

Thompson isnt averse to throwing big money at free agents, as evidenced by his signing of Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett in 2006. But the player and the price must be right.

This is not an argument in favor of maintaining the status quo. The Packers took a big step backward last season, and management must be held accountable. Thompson clearly needs to upgrade the Packers defense, particularly the front seven, which played a key role in the teams second-half slide.

But that doesnt mean he should act out of desperation, which would only make matters worse.

Thompson has ammunition with four of the top 83 picks in next months draft, including the ninth overall. In addition, there is plenty of time to sign second-tier free agents or pull off a trade. Just because Thompson doesnt keep up with the Snyders of the NFL world in March doesnt mean the Packers are destined for failure in September.

Thompson cant make football decisions based on fan sentiment. He learned that from former Packers General Manager Ron Wolf.

You cant really worry about it, Wolf recently told me about public criticism. Because youre trying to do what in your mind is in the best interests of the team.

You could be wrong, but you have to live with yourself.

Thompson should ultimately be judged on the Packers record this season, not how much money he spends on free agents.


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Zero2Cool
16 years ago
I liked this article, pretty interesting, but ... same stuff said twice.
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dhazer
16 years ago
I do give him credit for sticking to his guns even though some of us don't agree (specially in the building the team comment). I'm tired of building time to act so we will see if he survives another year.
Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be šŸ™‚ (PS, Zero should charge for this)
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IronMan
16 years ago

Thompson should ultimately be judged on the Packers record this season, not how much money he spends on free agents.



Bingo.
djcubez
16 years ago
To be honest, the free agents this year are just those looking for a nice paycheck, but I guess that applies everywhere. It's just about finding the players you need to fit into role positions to improve your team, even thought I hate visiting PFT every day and hearing not a single word about the Packers. Despite making for a boring offseason, Ted Thompson is doing a good job moving forward and not overspending.
Dulak
16 years ago
Interesting article ...

I think fans just want something to happen(next season) and we see this by getting great players on our team.

ie if we dont get some good players on our team in the FA - we (the fans) think that we perhaps could get screwed in the draft and then where would we be?

atm we have some glaring needs -
Front 3 (Dline)
1 OLB
Some Oline depth
(maybe a kicker but undecided about that)

anything else is just the cherry on top IMO.

So if we dont get our needs met and get the cherries on top first ... then fans get worried.

I know personally I would prefer 2 play-makers in our front 7 one Dline and another OLB opposite kampman.

Besides that I couldnt care what Ted Thompson did. But until this gets done - ya I'm worried about another 26th place in rush yards defense, 22nd in pnts allowed and 20th in yds (our passing yards was 12th - I can only imagine what having pressure on the opposing QB would bring that too).

Like the article mentioned in the end it comes to winning football games.
packfaninbucland
16 years ago
The best moves the Packers made this year so far(mostly McCarthy, I suppose) is bringing in new defensive coaches that can bring it.

Thompson has this season and probably next to improve or he may be out - along with MM.

Time to walk the walk, boys.
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Dulak
16 years ago

The best moves the Packers made this year so far(mostly McCarthy, I suppose) is bringing in new defensive coaches that can bring it.

Thompson has this season and probably next to improve or he may be out - along with Mike McCarthy.

Time to walk the walk, boys.

"packfaninbucland" wrote:



ya I agree and its a Great move IMO - sanders didnt bring enough pressure on the QB; especially once our main guys started to get injured.

Something needed to be done our frontline D seemed to get worse and worse as the season went on.

If I remember right a 3-4 is supposed to bring better Rush defense. Because there are 5 guys potentially upfront to stop the run. I'm not exactly sure what the weakness of the 3-4 as compared to the 4-3.

perhaps its with short passes? not as much coverage in the middle ground?

This is probably why we need more LBers then Dlinemen in a 3-4 because depending on the yardage/down is whom we use for the OLBers ie ones that can rush the QB or take down a running back or ones that can fade back quickly and cover short passes.

Be interesting to see how it progresses.
beast
16 years ago

we have some glaring needs -
Front 3 (Dline)
1 OLB
Some Oline depth
(maybe a kicker but undecided about that)

anything else is just the cherry on top IMO.

"Dulak" wrote:



I agree with the needs other than I think the Packers also need another S for depth. I'm also not sure about the OLB need.

Collins seems to have trouble with communication or understanding them or something, he just seem to get off page more than the others. Plus he was banged up a lot last season.

Bigby has limited talent and one small injury could sideline him. And he was injured last season.

Rouse has A TON of talent but doesn't play smart. He also was injured last season.

I think think the Packers need somebody else that could step in if need and do a better job than the current back-ups.


As far as the OLB need, I know the Packers need somebody to step up but at the same time I could see Poppinga, Hunter or Thompson steping up nicely into that role. But I could see none of them ready to step up this season as well, so it might be a need it might not.
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TOPackerFan
16 years ago
I think they reprint this same article every February.
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Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : tbh I didn't hear of his passing
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Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Maybe Tyrod Taylor instead
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dfosterf (24-Jul) : They would probably go with Flacco is my guess if Fields out
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