A Gm has to have the ability to roll out the red carpet, wine and dine the prospective employee and sell his team. Ted doesn't seem to have the ability or the willingness to do that.
Sitting on 10's of millions of dollars in cap space every year also sends a message to prospective employees.
Money is the equalizer in proffesional sports and if players, who are essentially businessmen, see that this team or that is pinching pennies then their minds are made up before the bidding begins.
The "storied franchise" pitch delivered by some 2nd level manager will not draw much interest.
93Z pitched another good point, Ted fiddles while rome burns.
The "outrageous" signing of Reggie White drew huge dividends for the Packers, I don't know if that could happen again, but you never know if you don't try.
"yooperfan" wrote:
First off, it's a team of employees that are responsible for selling the Packers, to players, fans, the media, etc..
As I understand it, they have made marked improvements to the facilities in Lambeau Field over the past handful of years, which should make current players happier and prospective players more interested. They are going to be spending most of their working hours there, after all.
Teams who throw a shit ton of money at big name free agents are not able to take care of all of their current players as they should. Players for the Green Bay Packers know that their team will not do something stupid like throw an insane amount of guaranteed money at a FA who turns out to be a bust simply because the FA market was booming at the time. They know if they perform well for the team, they will be treated very well, and fairly.
I'm also fairly sure, as Cheesey surmised, that some of their conservative approach is due to the smallest market in the NFL facing one or more uncapped years. If they have been improving the stadium for years to better handle such an event, why not manage the personnel for the same reason?
People seem to think FA's are high cost, high reward, but they are also high risk. Adalius Thomas has been a letdown for the Patriots, and he was a huge name FA a few years back. Joe Johnson's career sputtered out in Green Bay far too quickly. Matt Cassel? Please. I bet we could name a FA bust for every FA success story.
Lastly, I think some FA signings will show up in the coming seasons, especially if a deal is worked out so we aren't playing for years without a cap. It's all part of a process. This team was absolutely decimated under Sherman. No depth, aging players, and cap problems were all problems we had to face. All of these major problems have already been fixed through the draft and by practicing fiscal responsibility. People never thought Ted Thompson would move up in the draft, and he moved up into the first round in one of the most aggressive move's of the 2009 draft to get Matthews. People don't think Ted Thompson will sign FA's. I think he will, but when the time is right. I know we're all eager, but things are only now starting to fall into place for this team. We're still one of the youngest teams in the NFL, but we're now experienced as well. It's just about time to fit in those final cogs to this machine. I'm very curious to see what is done in 2010 and 2011, especially if a CBA is worked out.