Nonstopdrivel
15 years ago

Packers Show Unusual Aggression 
Posted Apr 26, 2009 1:05PM By BRUCE CISKIE

Ever since Ted Thompson took over as the Packers' general manager in 2005, he has developed quite the reputation. In four drafts since he got the job, Thompson became known as the master of the trade-down.

In his defense, Mike Sherman didn't exactly leave a loaded roster behind when he got canned. Because of that, Thompson felt the need to stock up on extra picks to build depth. Now that Thompson has built some depth with the Packers, he appears to be more comfortable being aggressive in the draft.

Thompson has talked about the importance of building depth in the past, but appeared to target impact players in this one.

Despite reports that wide receiver Michael Crabtree was the top player on his draft board, Thompson decided to make a pick to fill a significant need, taking Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji with the ninth overall pick.
"He's genuinely a powerful, powerful man, especially in his lower body," Thompson said. "The good Lord just didn't make many people like this."

... "When you watch Raji he is not necessarily just a guy who eats up space," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. "I think he is a guy who can stunt and move things, which is rare for a guy of his size."
The surprise was still to come. While Packer fans were waiting for the second round, the Packers decided not to wait their turn. Thompson swung a deal with the New England Patriots for a player they targeted. That player was USC linebacker Clay Matthews, and the Packers traded back into the first round to make it happen.
"The more you watched him the more natural he looks as a player," Thompson said. "He's always on his feet. He has great hips and balance. He can use his hands effectively against offensive linemen and running backs. He can run. He can move in space. He plays the game remarkable."
The move left Green Bay without second- or third-round picks, but in a way, Thompson was doing exactly what he was taught. His mentor, former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, always believed in giving up value to get value you wanted. After all, it was Wolf who was ripped in Green Bay for his decision to trade a first-round pick to Atlanta for a little-known backup quarterback.

Sometime around 2012, we'll be able to fairly judge these moves. Right now, they look downright genius. Thompson believes in the young players he has brought in, and it was time to pick up some impact players. Since the Packers are generally a non-factor when it comes to free agency, this was the only way to pick up guys who could make a difference on the 2009 team.

Surely, those fans who have had their way with Thompson in recent years are thinking a little differently after Saturday. It is tough to criticize the decisions he made, and it appears the defense is on the right track.


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Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (2h) : 49ers might be down their QB, DL, TE and LT?
packerfanoutwest (16h) : Jaire Alexander says he has a torn PCL
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : Even with the context it's ... what?
Mucky Tundra (20-Nov) : Matt LaFleur without context: “I don’t wanna pat you on the butt and you poop in my hand.”
beast (20-Nov) : We brought in a former Packers OL coach to help evaluate OL as a scout
beast (20-Nov) : Jets have been pretty good at picking DL
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He landed good players thanks to high draft slot. He isn't good.
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He can shove his knowledge up his ass. He knows nothing.
beast (20-Nov) : More knowledge, just like bring in the Jets head coach
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : What? Why? Huh?
beast (19-Nov) : I wonder if the Packers might to try to bring Douglas in through Milt Hendrickson/Ravens connections
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : The Jets fired Joe Douglas, per sources
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Jets are a mess......
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Pretty sure Jets fired their scouting staff and just pluck former Packers.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Jets sign Anders Carlson to their 53.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : When you cycle the weeks, the total over remains for season. But you get your W/L for that selected week. Confusing.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the totals are accurate..nrvrtmind
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : I don't follow what you are saying. The totals are not the same as last week.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : ok so then wht are the totals the same as last week?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : NFL Pick'em is auto updated when NFL Scores tab is clicked
Martha Careful (19-Nov) : The offense was OK. Let's not forget the Bear defense is very very good.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Who updates the leaderboard on NFLPickem?
beast (19-Nov) : Has the Packers offense been worse since the former Jets coach joined the Packers?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Offense gets his ass in gear, this could be good.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Backup QB helped with three wins. Special Teams contributed to three wins.
bboystyle (18-Nov) : Lions played outside thats why. They scored 16 and 17 in the only 2 outside games this year
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : The rest of the NFL is catching up to Packers ... kicking is an issue throughout league
packerfanoutwest (18-Nov) : Packers DL Kenny Clark: We knew 'we were going to block' Bears' game-winning field goal attempt
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Lions seem to be throttling everyone, but only (only) got 24 lol maybe the rain is why
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Packers vs Lions game doesn't seem so bad.
beast (18-Nov) : Dennis Green "They are what we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!"
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : comment of the day Z2Cool "Bears better than we want to admit. Packers worse than we think. It's facts."
Mucky Tundra (17-Nov) : my worst case scenario: Bears fix their oline and get a coach like Johnson from the Lions and his scheme
Zero2Cool (17-Nov) : Bears get OL fixed amd we might have a problem
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Pretty sure they already have scouting reports on guys who aren't even starting for their college team. The future is now for me.
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : I tend to let Gute and Co. Worry about the future.
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Jaire and Evans Williams are both ACTIVE! Good news.
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : The badgers really need to change the whole offensive scheme. No draws no screens plus the quarterback is marginal
Cheesey (17-Nov) : If the Badgers had a decent QB, they would have won. The guy can't hit a wide open receiver
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : chop block
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : there was a very questionable job Block call that upon viewing replay was very borderline
beast (17-Nov) : How so? (I didn't watch)
Zero2Cool (17-Nov) : Badgers got hosed vs Oregon
packerfanoutwest (16-Nov) : damn,he hasn't played since week 2
Mucky Tundra (15-Nov) : poor guy can't catch a break
wpr (15-Nov) : wow. That three different things for the kid.
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