Nonstopdrivel
16 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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Zero2Cool (37m) : ooppppss
Zero2Cool (1h) : “Kenny Clark played all of last season hurt by the way and got surgery to fix it in January”
Mucky Tundra (1h) : @ByRyanWood How much did the injury affect him last fall? “A lot.”
Mucky Tundra (1h) : @ByRyanWood Kenny Clark said he had foot surgery in January. Injured his foot in opener against Eagles and played through it all year.
Zero2Cool (3h) : Golden is wearing guardian cap again. I bet he plays with it on too.
Mucky Tundra (19h) : All the stuff I'm reading from Lions fans are pointing at his toe; he more or less has permanent turf toe in one of his big toes
dfosterf (20h) : Kenny played through it, and a shame he gets little credit for that, imo
dfosterf (20h) : Big men. I hope it's not the undoing of Kenny Clark
dfosterf (20h) : Probably his toe. Pretty much a great center. Toe injuries are brutal to bigen
Mucky Tundra (2-Jun) : Lions All-Pro C Frank Ragnow retires
wpr (30-May) : It's all good.
beast (30-May) : Yeah, and I enjoyed your comments and just attempted to add to it. Sorry if I did it incorrectly.
wpr (30-May) : Beast I never said Henderson was the salt of the earth. Nor even that he was correct. Just quoting the guy.
Zero2Cool (29-May) : What did you do??
Zero2Cool (29-May) : Whoa
beast (29-May) : OMG the website is now all white, even some white on white text
beast (29-May) : Henderson, who admits to taking cocaine during the Super Bowl against the Steelers, might dislike Bradshaw as he lost two Superbowls to him
wpr (28-May) : Hollywood Henderson said Bradshaw “is so dumb, he couldn't spell 'cat' if you spotted him the C and an A.”
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Cooper stock=BUY BUY BUY
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Also notes he’s playing with more confidence.
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : @AndyHermanNFL MLF says there was a time last year where Cooper was at 220 pounds. Now he’s at 240 and still flying around.
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : And don't even get me started on Frank Caliendos "impersonations"
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : I got tired of them being circle jerks with them overlaughing at each others jokes.
Zero2Cool (28-May) : It used to be must watch TV for me. now it's "meh" maybe to hear injury update
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : I haven't watched the pregame shows in years and I don't feel like I've missed a thing
Zero2Cool (28-May) : Love says knee affected him all season, groin injury didn't help matters.
Zero2Cool (28-May) : I used to enjoy him on FOX Pregame. Now it's like a frat party of former Patriots.
Zero2Cool (28-May) : LaFleur on Watson: “Christian is doing outstanding. I would say he’s ahead of schedule.”
Martha Careful (28-May) : Bradshaw is a dumb ass cracker. I am so tired of his "aw shucks" diatribe. He should shrivel up and go away.
buckeyepackfan (28-May) : He wad all butt hurt because Aaron duped the media saying he was immunized.
buckeyepackfan (28-May) : Bradshaw needs to retire. He's been ripping on Rodgers ever since the covid crap. He was all hury
Zero2Cool (28-May) : Terry Bradshaw doesn't want Rodgers in Pittsburgh lol wow
Zero2Cool (27-May) : one day contract, which he also feels is pointless, but if Packers came to him, he would
packerfanoutwest (27-May) : Aaron Rodgers talks possibility of retiring with Packers, just another rumor
dfosterf (27-May) : Go watch 2001
Zero2Cool (26-May) : 1984
dfosterf (26-May) : That movie sent a chill through many. 1968.
dfosterf (26-May) : "Open the pod bay doors, HAL"
buckeyepackfan (25-May) : Haven't we all seen thus movie? It doesn't end well!! Lol
Zero2Cool (25-May) : lol Anthropic’s new AI model turns to blackmail when engineers try to take it offline
dfosterf (25-May) : Claude Opus 4
dfosterf (25-May) : AI system resorts to blackmail when its developers threaten to take it offline
beast (22-May) : Colts Owner Jim Irsay has passed away
Zero2Cool (21-May) : Well, emailing should work now. After not working for almost a year. Oops.
Zero2Cool (21-May) : Brotherly Shove did not get enough votes.
Zero2Cool (20-May) : lol our email hasn't worked in months. 7 pages of unverified users
Zero2Cool (20-May) : MySpace Screaming Lord Byron ... Brett Favre.
Zero2Cool (19-May) : Packers have signed first-round pick Matthew Golden, leaving second-round tackle Anthony Belton as their only unsigned draft pick
beast (19-May) : Supposedly he has to take his image, and name off of it... but otherwise could keep selling wine if he wanted to.
Zero2Cool (19-May) : he giving up his win business?
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