Entering the season I probably would have given him a B to a B+, but let's face it, Ted Thompson has made very poor decisions this off season and it's hurt Green Bay.
Rodgers over Favre probably not the right route, but you know we'll just toss that aside since that's a debate in itself and Aaron Rodgers has been pretty solid. Even the biggest Favre fans that despise Rodgers would have to agree with that.
Three big ones stick out.
1. Letting go of Corey Williams.
I was mixed when it happened, but the fact that we traded Corey Williams for Brian Brohm leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This is a team that was one kick away from the Super Bowl. There wasn't any need to let Corey Williams go for the No. 3 QB on the roster.
However, let's say money is a factor and Williams would have held out. Nothing to prove he would have but for discussion lets. Thompson's inability to fine a replacement for Williams is the true problem. Harrell is soft, and the rest are underachievers.
Sorry, but Thompson misfired on this one at least for this season. Maybe Harrell shows up next year.
2. Trading down for Jordy Nelson.
I say this because we traded with the Jets. Who did the Jets trade up to get?
Dustin Keller. How good would Dusin Keller be for Aaron Rodgers right now? Keller has become Favre's go to guy in the clutch and has proven to be a true threat in the middle of the field. Looking back, the move down really hurts. Nothing against Jordy Nelson either. Nice player, but TE would have been a better pick and I felt Keller was higher up on most draft boards including mine.
3. Tony G for a 2nd sounds good to me.
So we didn't get Keller and granted this one Ted Thompson blew during the season, but it's still on his record.
Tony G for a 2nd makes sense. Not only does he take the strength of your team and make it close to unstoppable, but he pretty much forces defenses to defend the middle of the field because he's such a threat. They already have to defend the outside with Jennings and Driver proving to be capable even with Rodgers. This not only makes Rodgers and the passing game better, but as well as the running game. It makes Ryan Grant better. It provides a leader in the locker room for at least two and maybe three years if things go well.
Yet the deal that could have and should have happen never did.
All in all I like the job Thompson has done. His first two drafts have proven to be very strong top to bottom. His last two are obviously still up in the air, but we've seen flashes.
However, this past off season, Thompson disappointed. It's like being the MVP or in this case executive of the year and missing the Pro Bowl the next season. Unfortunately for the Packers, that's kind of what Thompson did. He went from being one of the top GM's to being rather average because of a below average off season in my opinion.
Hopefully he can rebound next off season or better yet, maybe the Packers can go on a run this year and give us a little redemption.