Report: Ted Thompson to Transition to New Role in Green Bay, No Longer GM
For the first time since 2005, Ted Thompson will not be the general manager of the Green Bay Packers.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Monday evening that Thompson is expected to transition into a new role within the organization -- one that likely doesn't offer the same responsibilities as his familiar general manager post.
Thompson, 64, replaced Mike Sherman as the Packers' general manager in 2005 and was responsible for drafting two-time MVP and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers that same offseason. A year later, he ousted Sherman and hired Mike McCarthy as the team's head coach, who is still in the same position after over a decade's worth of success.
Rapoport did note in early December that while Thompson is under contract through 2018, there's a chance that this could be the year that he "steps aside and becomes a senior scouting adviser."
There's no clarity on Thompson's new role just yet, but there is one fact: The Packers will need to begin the hunt for a new general manager.
Ted Thompson will not return as the GM of the Green Bay Packers but will remain with the team. The front office will go through a reorganization with team president Mark Murphy defining new roles for current members of front office, per league and team sources.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 1, 2018
ESPN's Chris Mortensen said that player personnel director Brian Gutenkunst and director of football operations Eliot Wolf are expected to have "re-defined duties" as Thompson shifts to another role." Wolf has been with the team since 2004 and is evidently the favorite as the next-in-line general manager.
There is certainty, though, that the Packers will have a true general manager, according to Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal. There isn't expected to be an oblong power structure between any of the candidates.
The Packers will more than likely promote from one of the aforementioned in-house candidates rather than seek an outside suitor.
It's a similar route that they're taking with the defensive coordinator job after firing Dom Capers on Monday. The only difference is that the in-house candidates for the general manager position are far more qualified and sculpted than the in-house candidates for the defensive coordinator job are. If they chose to promote one of their own, it would be an otherwise seamless transition.
Thompson's seemingly self-removal from power is just the latest change out of Green Bay to kick off the new year.
Along with firing Capers, the Packers also relieved defensive line coach Mike Trgovac -- one of the candidates for a new defensive coordinator -- and inside linebackers coach Scott McCurley. However, Thompson's shift in power is by far the most impactful.
During his 13-season stint in Green Bay, the Packers emerged victorious in 125 regular season games and 10 playoff games, won six NFC North titles and a Super Bowl. His success during his stint with the team cannot and shouldn't be overlooked by any means.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (190)
Bearmeat
January 01, 2018 at 06:18 pm
HELL YEAH!!! NO MORE COMPLACENCY AT 1265 LOMBARDI!! CHRISTMAS 2018 HAS COME EARLY!
And what's more? This means MM has a one year "Win it all or else" ultimatum. The new GM is going to want to hire his own guy. Aside from winning it all, this and Capers firing was the BEST thing that could have happened for the Packers in 2018.
We now have much more of a chance than we did with the same Three Amigos who've been in charge since 2009. We now have a good chance if the right guys are hired.
I LOVE YOU MARK MURPHY! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
KenEllis
January 01, 2018 at 06:25 pm
Awesome news Bearmeat.
You've been on this need for genuine change for years along with a few others of us.
As you say, now Mac is under the microscope.
GBPDAN1
January 01, 2018 at 06:52 pm
Wow, great news! I'm ok with Ted sliding over to some other position, just as long as he's not our GM. Let him scout OL and WRs. Keep.him away from D scouting, entirely.
Our new GM will have the last say in all personal moves, not Ted, which is exciting. I hope we hire the right man for the job. Happy New Years!
ScaryGary
January 02, 2018 at 03:00 am
sorry to poop on a great vibe, but u gotta pump the brakes and take this one thing at a time. mike mccarthy got exposed along with the the rest of organization. a) aaron rodgers,b) tom brady, c)bill belichek(i don't care about spelling or grammar fukk off on that shit) d) mike mcarthy would be a good level one SAT/logic multiple choice question. ted did his job, he didn't botch seattle game or decide to over rush caper nick ( capers is not the one to blame for the plays he had players in perfect spot but they whiffed) i.e. that mother find third down conversion from cap when we had him. rodgers should have 3 maybe 4 superbowls by now. fuuny that we would all die for two now, remember after beating pitt? how many would we win in a row. big mike is officially on the "hot seat". i think he will respond like he did in 2010 if we can generate a pass rush, and protect arod. i wish it was as simple as our first pick ( if tawerence taylor jr is out there go get him no matter the price) if not i say 4-3 with our current personal. (50%+ is nickel with or current defense/nfl anyway). the packers are a team but u better build that shit around the goat while he last. i love mike but he does suck when there is less than 5 minutes on clock and thats pretty important. the three amigos run was second only to one. don't forget collins, finely, shields thats the difference between us and new england
ScaryGary
January 02, 2018 at 03:08 am
sheilds was undrafted but we never let go of casey without nim. biggest prob was hanging on to aj hawk so long, that was trios biggest fuck up
ScaryGary
January 02, 2018 at 03:15 am
oh u can say fuck! heck ya. maybe not so much aj, my screen kept freezing i may have taken it out on him but its the mlb position, we won a Super Bowl with bishop. remember phily
ScaryGary
January 02, 2018 at 03:22 am
if there is any confusion to which is the right answer it is d) big mike
NickPerry
January 02, 2018 at 04:36 am
BEARMEAT!!!!!!!!!!! OUR NEW YEARS WISH HAS BEEN ANSWERED!
Irish_Cheesehead
January 02, 2018 at 12:31 pm
"if the right guys are hired"
Key phrase
jeremyjjbrown
January 01, 2018 at 06:34 pm
WOW!
Did not expect this to happen. I hope Ted enjoys his new role. I really mean it, and I am glad the org keeps his scouting abilities.
John Dorsey has to be kicking his self :D
KenEllis
January 01, 2018 at 09:08 pm
Ted's "new role" will consist of making himself scarce and collecting the money he is due on the final year of his contract.
Make no mistake.
Murphy moved Ted out of 1265 due to dissatisfaction with the roster. Bye bye Ted.
OrganLeroy
January 01, 2018 at 09:41 pm
you sir are a moron.
KenEllis
January 01, 2018 at 10:36 pm
You sir are in denial that Teddy has been shown the door and probably very sad about Teddy getting the axe.
Educate yourself: "it was Murphy’s decision to start the transition from the 64-year-old Thompson to new front-office leadership"
http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/01/01/packers-r...
Turophile
January 02, 2018 at 01:47 am
Ken, I have not heard even a hint of Murphy being dissatisfied at Ted. I think it is more about there being multiple candidates within GB that will get a GM job here or elsewhere, so the way things have come down, they can pick the best candidate, Ball, Gutekunst or Wolf. There was probably a talk with Ted and an agreement of the way forward.
Scouting was what Ted liked. Many other duties (like talking to the press) not so much. I think he was smart enough to cut down his workload (given his age) and continue with what he enjoys.
If Murphy was dissatisfied with Ted, he (Ted) would not be kept on in any role. I think he will be an experienced advisor and scout in his new role. That is not denial, it's not even a river in Egypt............
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 02:20 am
Well, maybe both are right. I really doubt that Murphy fired TT, and TT stays in the organization. Especially if he is so EGO maniac most of you are claiming he is. Also, I really think that TT had an idea to finish his tenure as Packers GM after 2018 draft. I think, Murphy and Ted discussed opportunities and decided together to make changes now, so that new GM can be installed ASAP. That is excellent decision, because it gives enough time for new team to put their hands on everything they need to control...
It might be that Murphy initiated the outcome, but I'm sure Ted accepted reasons and benefits...
This was agreed change!
NickPerry
January 02, 2018 at 04:51 am
Thompson had NO CHOICE. What do you mean Murphy and Ted discussed opportunities and decided to make a change TOGETHER??
I don't think there's a doubt Murphy told Thompson to either slide over or I'm firing you. There was no discussion together.
The fact this was done so swiftly tells you Murphy had a plan several weeks ago at least.
Last thing... I was surprised at the Adams and Lindsey signings but only because it was done way before the actual FA deadline. Thompson loves to take it down to the wire, that didn't happen this time.
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 05:24 am
" Thompson loves to take it down to the wire, that didn't happen this time."
That's not entirely true. Several players on the roster whose second (or even third) contracts were negotiated during the summer or in-season...Burnett, Bakhtiari, Nelson, CMIII. Several resigned after the season ended, too, but I don't think TT necessarily relished being put up against a wall.
NickPerry
January 02, 2018 at 06:09 am
In season yes. Jones, Jennings, Nelson to name a few were done during the season IIRC. Burnett and Matthews were so long ago I'd have to look. My point was if it wasn't done DURING the season or maybe in the final year, Thompson tended to drag it out.
Perry, Cobb, Bulaga are all recent deals done minutes before the deadline. I don't think he "Relished being put against the wall" either. Just said it was happening a lot these last several years. I think there's a lot to be said for getting it done early opposed to later. Just my opinion.
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 05:39 am
Given that he was not fired, Murphy would have had to sign off on any transition package and Ted would have to be happy with it. I think it is highly unlikely this was Murphy suddenly stepping in to impose regime change. This smacks of agreement after end of season contract extension and to get new GM in place as soon as possible. I would lay odds on the new GM already being in Lombardi as well.
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 05:45 am
Nick, believe or not, you are not staying with organization who:
1. fire you;
2. blackmail you!
If you want to think otherwise, that is your right...
"The fact this was done so swiftly tells you Murphy had a plan several weeks ago at least."
I did not say that they sat down on New Years Eve and decided that. That decision, whenever is decided or agreed or whatsoever, was done at least one month ago.
"I was surprised at the Adams and Lindsey signings but only because it was done way before the actual FA deadline."
Those 2 deals were done, so that part of signing bonuses can be add to the 2017 season, which will reduce cap hits of signing bonuses on each of next years while contract(s) are valid... Nothing else is in that move than just thinking of the future.
And you will not think of the future of franchise which fire you or blackmail you...
NickPerry
January 02, 2018 at 05:58 am
"And you will not think of the future of franchise which fire you or blackmail you..."
HUH?????? Just HUH?????
Croat I think i have a real breakdown in communication with you on some comments.
As far as Lindsey and Adams deals I know WHY they were done, I just wondered who got them done. Thompson ALWAYS has cap space left over so why wasn't it done with other contracts in previous years? I didn't say Thompson didn't get it done, I said I was SURPRISED it was done so quickly after the seasons final game is all.
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 06:58 am
Nick, you might be right. We might do not understand each other correctly.
If this is the case. I'll blame myself, because of my English. Sometimes I do not want to be rude, but it looks like that. When I want to be rude, it feel soft. I still learning...
For the last note I admit I did not understand well your comment. Now, when you put it simple, I see I made mistake... Sorry. And, please be little more patient with my English ;-)
Turophile
January 02, 2018 at 08:03 am
The answer to WHO got them done is easy, it was Russ Ball. You can find stuff about him on the internet if you look for it. Ted was very hands off in negotiations, more so than almost any other GM.
Ted set salary limits for Russ to work within, but Russ is the face man for negotiation, and the Packers absolutely trust him to get the best deal he can. The private talks between Ted and Russ seem to most often be about evaluation of the player whose contract is being discussed and their value relative to other contracts on players around the league at the same position.
Russ then uses these comparisons and evaluations in negotiations with the agent when talking about contract size. He is said to be very well liked by agents, even though he is a tough negotiator, because he will always listen to the other side and why a player should get more or how a contract should be structured differently. He is a people person and is trusted by agents where many (most) negotiators are not.
Nick Perry. You think Ted and Murphy did not arrive at a mutually beneficial compromise to keep the best of two future GM candidates who could be poached this offseason. If he had played out the whole contract, one or both could be gone this offseason. I think you are wrong about Ted 'getting the push', completely. dead. wrong. I'm hoping more information leaks out over time that makes that clear.
Since'61
January 02, 2018 at 09:47 am
Turo - I think your assessment of the situation with Russ Ball and TT is dead on and I agree completely. Good post. Thanks, Since '61
Since91
January 01, 2018 at 06:24 pm
New focus and a new DIRECTION!
Yes men YES!!!!!
ShanghaiKid
January 01, 2018 at 06:27 pm
DC and TT gone? Shocked, but pleased. Who knew 1 broken collarbone could change a franchise?
rdent
January 01, 2018 at 06:34 pm
The impact of losing AR should have been addressed after 2013. I guess it took the wheels coming off to finally make changes. Question now is how quickly can the new regime restore talent to the roster.
ShanghaiKid
January 01, 2018 at 06:40 pm
@rdent I’ve been advocating for a new DC since after the SF playoff loss, you stated it. The biggest difference is that the 13’ Packers weathered the storm. Wheels came off this year and it was apparent there’s a lack of talent. I hope they can reload quick cause AR is not getting younger.
jeremyjjbrown
January 01, 2018 at 06:34 pm
Yeah, maybe we need to send Bahr a Thank You card.
Bearmeat
January 01, 2018 at 06:39 pm
let's not go that far.
Doug Niemczynski
January 01, 2018 at 06:54 pm
If its broke....fix it !!
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 06:31 pm
Sweeping change isn’t always a guarantee of success. I hope everything works out for the best.
Bearmeat
January 01, 2018 at 06:34 pm
You're right Oppy. Change doesn't always equate to success. But I'd argue that we've seen the results of the Ted/Mike/Dom/ARod team for almost 10 years now. Since 2012, the ceiling was the last half of 2014. And with an all world QB like ARod, that's not good enough.
This was a "we've got Zeus at QB, so let's swing for the fences" move. If the team strikes out, at least we've gone down swinging. We already knew the status quo wasn't going to get it done.
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 07:51 pm
"This was a "we've got Zeus at QB, so let's swing for the fences" move."
I don't necessarily think so. This is more of a 'long-term health of the franchise' move.
Do you go into 2018 with a GM who you have no plan to extend?
Do you handcuff your next GM to a cap built by a guy you don't plan to extend and a roster shaped by his outgoing personnel moves and negotiated contracts?
Do you take a 2018 draft rich in picks and give them to the outgoing GM rather than letting the new GM use them to shape the roster his way?
Do you continue to lead the internal candidates you really like on and leave them to linger, potentially losing them to other teams?
The bottom line is that TT, while I feel confident felt he was working in the best interest of the team, would have been in a position to make a lot of important moves--including the resigning of ARod--that the next GM would have to bear the brunt of.
It was time. TT showed that he can build a roster...he just hasn't shown that he can truly finish one.
We have to be careful what we wish for. There's a lot more room to fall than there is to rise. Just about every post here in favor of the move qualifies it by saying that the Packers have to find the right guy. It's my hope that in 3-4 years we aren't looking back at the TT years longingly because they didn't "find the right guy."
Bearmeat
January 01, 2018 at 08:35 pm
Dobber,
Respectfully, I agree that you have to find the right guy. Where I don't agree that there's a lot more room to fall than there is to rise. Let's say that MM got over his stubbornness and asked TT for, say, Matt Cassell, or, I dunno, Brian Hoyer this offseason. A capable, competent, (not great) backup. And let's up the ante: let's say that a miracle happens and NO ONE - outside of ARod out for the year - gets hurt.
I'd still say that in that miracle season, this team is an 8-8 team.
Dobber, that's not good enough. The team around ARod has 1 All-Pro: Bakh. It has 4 ascending or red chip defenders (Randall, Clark, Martinez, Daniels) and 1 skill player (Adams). Beyond that, it has several competent pieces (Taylor, Linsley, Perry, HHCD (assuming he pulls his head out of his butt). It has several former all pros or good players who are now aging: CM3, Jordy, Burnett, Bulaga, Cobb (I know Bulaga and Cobb are young, but they've been injured like crazy). It has several unknowns/guys with potential: King, J Jones, Clark, Biegel, M. Adams, McCray...
That is 1 total difference maker after ARod. 10 good players. 5 aging players who are now average. 5 unknowns with high ceilings. And JAGS.
That, my friend, is NOT a great team. With an all pro QB, it's a respectable to good team. Not a great team. Ergo, IMO TT has NOT done his job. At the very least since 2014. More truthfully, aside from Daniels and Peppers... maybe Clark... dude hasn't hit it out of the park since 2010.
That is not good enough. This change NEEDED to happen for us to have a chance to win it all before Zeus is done.
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 09:07 pm
It's a "long-term health of the franchise" move because it's become increasingly clear in recent seasons that the quality of the personnel on the roster has been fading. That's on TT. As we look at this offseason, you could either let all the resources at the GMs disposal (cap room, draft picks, contract negotiations/renegotiations) be consumed by the guy who wouldn't have to deal with it--in which case a new guy comes in an potentially cleans house, wasting all that effort--or you could have the guy you want running the club next make the moves to shape the team for his tenure.
Whatever the case, a home run at GM will be someone who can balance both the "win now" needs of a team with an aging generational talent at QB with the long-range needs of a team that needs an influx of new, young talent to carry the roster into their second contracts.
There's a long way to fall in the sense that this has been winning franchise for a while now with a culture of winning. The culture itself can't be taken lightly...in many ways, it's what's going to allow the new GM to have access to better free agents and coaches. It's what separates the Packers from the Lions...who don't have that culture. I don't believe that culture is busted because, at this stage, #12 gives that winner's mentality to his teammates whenever he walks on the field. When that mentality is busted, how do you get it back? How do you rebuild it? That's where the fall comes...when you no longer have the expectation of winning.
In the end, I would argue that we really don't disagree.
Tundraboy
January 01, 2018 at 10:46 pm
"Whatever the case, a home run at GM will be someone who can balance both the "win now" needs of a team with an aging generational talent at QB with the long-range needs of a team that needs an influx of new, young talent to carry the roster into their second contracts."
Well said. Concise assessment.
Bearmeat
January 02, 2018 at 09:25 am
Fine. We don't disagree. Which means that I was right. ;)
In all seriousness though, you convinced me. Well done sir.
Hematite
January 02, 2018 at 09:43 am
Your post took me back on a tour of the 70's and 80's.
HankScorpio
January 01, 2018 at 09:59 pm
"We have to be careful what we wish for. There's a lot more room to fall than there is to rise. "
Amen, Brother.
I get most of the criticism of TT. Many of them have merit. He's certainly not flawless by any means. But the notion that anyone would be better is a dubious one.
carlos
January 01, 2018 at 09:56 pm
Dob, I look at it this way, not that I’m 100 percent correct, now Ted can focus on what I think is what he really loves to do. He’s still around the game and can be a useful consultant to the next GM or the team in general. Change is never ending and can be a good thing. At least we hope so in this situation.
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Agreed!
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 05:44 am
I think TT was ready and his pool of protégés was not going to last for ever. This is his initiative to ensure continuity in the organization and let someone ride out the rest of Rogers’ career.
Duffman_44
January 01, 2018 at 06:31 pm
Thanks Ted for the memories.
Time for some new blood to infuse life to the Packers.
KenEllis
January 01, 2018 at 07:07 pm
Thanks Ted for the memories, between 2005-2010.
Since 2011, um too bad you didn't retire earlier.
UmpireMark
January 01, 2018 at 06:35 pm
Capers, then Ted? This IS the happiest new year! Looking forward to a brand new outlook for 2018.
fthisJack
January 02, 2018 at 08:04 am
as long as we're cleaning house....get rid of MM too. the only thing he has done in the last 7 years is keep the status quo. need some innovation, creativity, and a fresh offensive philosophy.
his play calling and game management are sub par along with being too loyal to coaches that are not performing and being too stubborn in his approach. protecting the lead by running the ball to eat clock was a big factor in losing to Seattle and allowing for teams to get back into games that should have been over.
Capers should have been gone 5 years ago.
a few years ago he rotated the coaching duties and that seemed to have backfired. he never adequately replaced Philbin or Clements when they left and juggled the coaching staff he had and their offense was never as good.
player development is bad. Williams and Jones finally getting a good number of reps to show what they can do halfway through the season. Mays in jail for fumbling so we don't know what his potential is. not knowing what they had in Hundley until Rodgers goes down and the season is in the tank because he isn't what they thought he was. Pipkins and Gilbert finally seeing the field along with Brown.
he's had ample opportunity to get this team another SB and he failed along with Capers. i hope the new GM sees the need for a change.
Hematite
January 02, 2018 at 09:49 am
You summed it up very nicely Jack.
Chuck Farley
January 01, 2018 at 06:40 pm
U sucked Ted. Favre and Rogers and u couldn't build on that. 2 super bowls with two hof qb,s. U are a pos Ted and f2d the fans. This team is a dumpster fire now. New gm better get some money to do the job or what's the point.
Marklindy62
January 01, 2018 at 07:04 pm
Really? POS? Grow up
Houndog
January 01, 2018 at 07:09 pm
The new GM will get the exact same amount of money the other 31 GMs in the league get to build their teams. It's called "Salary Cap".
UmpireMark
January 01, 2018 at 08:22 pm
Wow. Do you watch football? Do you understand football? Ever watch the Packers play?
No place for that, here.
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 02:26 am
It is interesting how, suddenly, TT become a guilty one for not allowing Brett Favre to win another SB.... That is hilarious!
Pigskin
January 01, 2018 at 06:40 pm
It will be interesting to see if the new GM will draft for need, or best player available.
HankScorpio
January 01, 2018 at 09:30 pm
Whoever the next GM is, he will claim to draft BPA. They all do. Always.
No team will ever acknowledge ever drafting a player that was not the "best player on their board" or a "great value pick".
Finwiz
January 01, 2018 at 06:47 pm
Praise the Lord, I knew that rosary I did on 12/26 would have some effect. (no joke)
Finally they are getting it through their THICK SKULLS up there, that things needed to change. Unfortunately it took a severely injured Rodgers, and a horrible draft pick in Hundley, plus a 7-9 record for them to realize a change was needed. If they would have asked me, this could have taken place about 4-5 years ago instead of the BS we witnessed in that period of time. Good riddance all, particularly CAPERS!!! Just retire dude, the team QUIT on you!!!
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 05:48 am
Hundley wasn’t a horrible 5th round punt of a pick. Most QB picks fail. For me, I think a different DC could have done a lot better with TT’s draft picks. Dom needed to be pushed out to pasture.
Doug Niemczynski
January 01, 2018 at 06:50 pm
Yes!!!!! Yes!!!!! And maybe Mcarthy is out the door as well for keeping Crappers for so long...and now he wants to keep Hundley. Fine Mike. Your Fired!!! And take Hundley with you!
OrganLeroy
January 01, 2018 at 09:48 pm
Ted drafted Hundley, did not try and sign a vet when Rodgers went down and makes all final decisions. McCarthy was stuck with Hundley and did what you should do, he try to teach and build confidence instead of throwing him under the bus. That's why guys like you should never be in management.
Doug Niemczynski
January 01, 2018 at 09:57 pm
And you belong on the Packers because you'll sit with that freaking Hundley until the day you die and make yourself believe he will someday be a good NFL quarterback. Well I know he sucks and I'm dumping him right now and moving on I don't see the talent he still makes the same mistakes he stays in the pocket too long he's not an accurate passer he can't do is check Downs he's just an athletic guy that can throw the ball sometimes two one wide receiver and then rush the ball a few times when he cant find his only 1 WR. Hundley Sucks ! Get it thru your skull. Hundley sucks get rid of him and might as well get rid of you as well.
maxximus
January 01, 2018 at 10:29 pm
And it was MM who boasted about how his QB room didn’t even need another person signed, if even as just a backup for Hundley, so he has responsibility in this too
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 05:56 am
Not sure any back up would have changed the season. I say that not wanting to see Hundley play another minute of football for the packers.
Also, let’s assume there was a miracle signing and we made the playoffs do we really think our D would hold up?
We needed a defensive clear out. I am glad we didn’t paper over the cracks just enough this time. I am glad we tanked rather than threw away draft position after we are out. That was the sound strategy and got players like Gilbert and Clark some experience.
I am glad we went with Hundley. It has worked out well for the future, as the DC firing confirms.
fthisJack
January 02, 2018 at 08:10 am
MM wasn't stuck with Capers!
Qoojo
January 01, 2018 at 06:56 pm
Santa delivered this offseason!
I sure hope that they don't end up with a strange power struggle structure, and no defined head guy. Definitely hope MM does not get more power out of this.
HankScorpio
January 01, 2018 at 07:27 pm
I was concerned about that as well based on Mort's tweets that said Murphy was going to re-define roles. After seeing Mort clarify (and Wilde confirm) that the Packers would have a GM, I've come down from concern a little.
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 08:32 pm
It seems like they want to try to find a way to keep as many of Wolf, Ball, Gutekunst, Highsmith, etc., as possible. It's hard to do when they all want to run their own show.
Doug Niemczynski
January 01, 2018 at 06:52 pm
Along with firing Capers, the Packers also relieved defensive line coach Mike Trgovac -- one of the candidates for a new defensive coordinator -- and inside linebackers coach Scott McCurley
We dont want anyone promoted as DC...NO!!
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 05:47 am
What you and a big part of the fan base wants means nothing...
Hematite
January 02, 2018 at 10:03 am
The fan base is what keeps this organization afloat.
They should be listening to the fan base or there could be problems.
A logical person would have to believe that a small market organization has their ear to the ground.
Bure9620
January 01, 2018 at 06:53 pm
We will be truly ALL in this year. I expect FA moves, and an aggressive draft! This is now a one year prove it deal for McCarthy. A sense of urgency and change in Green Bay!!!! What breath of fresh air!!!!
UmpireMark
January 01, 2018 at 08:27 pm
We'll have to see if they extend Mike or let him head into 2018 a lame duck coach.
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 08:33 pm
It's nothing to extend a coach by a year and then can him if you're ready to move on. It's not like there's a cap for coaches. Ask Jim Caldwell how that turned out...
Houndog
January 01, 2018 at 07:01 pm
A great day for Packer fans!
No more Capers, and now no more TT. I guess the Executive Committee must have seen that picture of TT in the skybox on national TV and had enough. Or maybe like the rest of us they just got sick of losing.
Hopefully the new boss will explain to McPuffy that "promoting from within" is NOT the way to find a new DC.
gary g
January 01, 2018 at 07:14 pm
Hallelujah. About freaking time. The new G.M. must be coming from within or i think they would have fired MM already. Any new G.M. is going to want to pick their own coach. Either way thank god for the new moves.
pacman
January 01, 2018 at 07:40 pm
My thoughts exactly as I was reading this thread but you beat me to it. But as was pointed out above, it might leave MM in a less comfortable position. I got what I wanted (DC, TT) as most of the others on this site. I'm not sure how MM escapes though. Nagler and others point out that MM is a good head coach but I don't hear them explaining why they believe that. I'm open to hearing the arguments but as I've posted many times - MM seemed to stake his reputation on Hundley. And he certainly takes blame for not firing DC earlier. Same thing that happened with Slocum. TT stays with the team so clearly there is not bad blood here. But any new GM has to have enough ego that he will demand ability to bring in a new coach next year if the team insists on keeping MM this year. So if the new GM at least tells MM that he has to adjust more quickly during a game, etc. then it will have served its purpose.
Tundraboy
January 01, 2018 at 09:03 pm
"Nagler and and others point out that MM is a good head coach"
Don't really care what they think. I can see on my own just how good and successful MM has been since the 2nd half of the Seattle NFCCG.
No thanks.
OrganLeroy
January 01, 2018 at 09:53 pm
Another poster who just doesn't get it! McCarthy had no choice with Hundley. Ted drafted him, Ted didn't sign a vet back up and please don't bring Callahan into this he's a Div.III UDFA. Ted drafts, McCarthy coaches, period, you play the guys the GM gives you.
maxximus
January 01, 2018 at 10:33 pm
MM was supposed to develop Hundley, he’s had 3 years to get him ready. He also boasted and threw a tantrum when asked about signing an extra QB after 12 got hurt, so I don’t go with “it’s all TT’s fault for the lack of production”
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 05:31 am
Who is the QB coach? Alex van Pelt.
Who is responsible for the in-game adjustments and in-season preparation and development of QBs? Alex van Pelt.
The real issues with Hundley were...
1. why did he not improve week-to-week once he saw the field? See van Pelt.
2. why did the Packers fail to put together game plans that made the most of what he COULD do? See Edgar Bennett (game planning) and MM (play calling and game planning)
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 06:00 am
I agree Dobber. Van Pelt should be a focus of real scrutiny now
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 06:00 am
I agree Dobber. Van Pelt should be a focus of real scrutiny now
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 06:00 am
I agree Dobber. Van Pelt should be a focus of real scrutiny now
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 05:52 am
How can you develop duck into swan...
I think nobody succeeded that...
carlos
January 01, 2018 at 10:07 pm
Need to evolve the offense some. To me it’s stale and predictable. Doesn’t have to be an overhaul, just some new wrinkles.
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 05:33 am
What the Carolina game taught us is that #12 is culpable for this as well. I think we all knew it, but this game and the post-game comments (for what they are worth) showed just how much control ARod has at the LOS on play calls.
FAN24583
January 01, 2018 at 07:27 pm
Free agency starts March 14th Now I am very excited for 2018!
Houndog
January 01, 2018 at 07:33 pm
Unless the new GM is already in the building this will likely hinder MM in finding a new coordinator to replace Capers.
Is a Vic Fangio or one of the other good coordinators going to want to join what might be a 'Lame Duck' coach in Mike McPuffy? Probably not.
I would find it hard to believe that this was not in the works for a while now, somebody (hopefully the Executive Committee) wasn't happy with how things were playing out and therefore pushed Mark (I think Ted's doing a good job) Murphy into making a move.
Whatever the real situation is one thing is clear, there is no time to waste, not like they did in finding Bob Harlan's replacement. They need to finish this, hire the guy, and get the pecking order set in place. We need this ship righted before the good coaching candidates are gone and before free agency gets closer.
Bure9620
January 01, 2018 at 07:49 pm
Agreed. The Packers moving this quickly indicates this was in the works for a little while. I believe they have their guy in place this week. Murphy likely had a guy in mind already or already had permission from other teams to interview his candidates in the last few weeks. I expect an aggressive off-season. Mike McCarthy on a one year prove it deal and Aaron Rodgers 34 years old. NO MORE SEASONS to waste!!!!
As for DC not as difficult as you think. If you were a good DC and knew you would coordinate a defense with Aaron Rodgers I other side? That's a coveted position. You know you don't need your defense to be the '15 Broncos!! Just competent enough to make a few stops. An above average defense with A-Rod has the ability to get to the SB.
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 08:29 pm
There won't be any honeymoon for the new DC. Whomever this guy happens to be, he's going to have to take all those guys who played like crap these last few years and get them to pull together into a cohesive unit...and do it now. This is a team in 'win now' mode. He's going to start his job on the hot seat.
Bure9620
January 01, 2018 at 08:33 pm
Totally agree, this is why I advocate for a disrupter or a total hard ass that puts up with nothing for DC. I believe we actually have talent on defense but they need a huge kick in the ass. Draft and develop also includes planting a seed of doubt and discomfort in the minds of veterans that their jobs are not safe without execution and getting after the young bucks reminding them their opportunities may be few and far between.
fthisJack
January 02, 2018 at 08:25 am
Ha Ha comes to mind. he played like a sissy all year. he needs to be told to pick up his game or he will be on the street. how do you go from pro bowler to liability in a year?
NickPerry
January 02, 2018 at 05:06 am
Houndog... i think the new GM IS in the building and I think he'll be named fairly quickly (today or tomorrow) so the Packers can get a new DC hired.
EVERYTHING done so far has been done quickly and ahead of time. Adams and Lindsey were MUST resigns. Ted would normally wait and get deals done right before the deadline but both those guys are signed, sealed, and delivered. Capers was let go and now Thompson is done as GM and it all happened 2 days after Sundays loss.
I have a strong, strong, feeling the new GM will be named very soon and the DC will follow 24-48 hours afterwards.
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 05:55 am
Whose decision is DC? Or any other position coach?
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 06:05 am
Head Coach should be prime decisionmaker for coaching appointments.
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 07:01 am
Thank you. It was rhetorical question...
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 07:36 am
Different organizations have varying degrees of control for the HC, though. It's a function of ownership, GM, and organizational philosophy. Who's to say that the new GM isn't going to want to be part of all those choices? As the GM, that's his prerogative.
Free agent
January 01, 2018 at 07:32 pm
O-U-T-S-T-A-N-D-I-N-G !!!!!
Don’t know how or why..... Or care
2 major roadblocks to a championship are gone.
Gman1976
January 01, 2018 at 07:32 pm
Thanks T.T. for a great run! Most teams would have died and gone to Heaven with the way you engineered winning teams & of course a Superbowl win. Sad to see you go on a down year. Hopefully, we will get to see some of your staff and personnel pay off for another great run. God bless you in your semi-retirement.
Houndog
January 01, 2018 at 07:43 pm
Gman1976,
During the heavy rains in Northern CA last winter I watched as several "Well Engineered" bridges collapsed. I think TT may have been on the CalTrans staff too!
pacman
January 01, 2018 at 07:42 pm
Necessary graciousness - even if not completely true.
Houndog
January 01, 2018 at 08:25 pm
Sorry pacman but I'm not gracious!
Two HOF quarterbacks in a row and what did TT do to build a roster they could win with? Thompson ignored free agency and his 'draft and develop' may have worked had he augmented it with some experienced talent but he refused to do so.
When injuries decimated the team he sat back and depended on rookies and/or undrafted free agents to fill the roster while Rodgers aged. He let Jerod Cook walk for Martelus Bennet, what a joke!
He let good O-linemen walk in FA only to see A-Rod get injured this year and the list goes on, for that I can only blame one person, Ted Thompson!
Good Riddance!
pacman
January 01, 2018 at 09:22 pm
Normally I would let difference of opinions simply be that. But we should maintain civility and be good winners. Having him gone is the main thing. He did some good things - very notably picking Rodgers. And taking Bennett over Cook was called an upgrade by many. Nobody is perfect, not even Bellichik.
With a healthy AR, everyone else getting healthy, some up and coming young players, at least 2 immediately impactful draft picks AND a free agent or 2 and we are in the SB next year. Simple!
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 05:57 am
Thank you, Gman1976 for your post!
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 06:12 am
I honestly think TT did an exceptional job. I believe our players on D were and are better than DC was able to get them to perform over the last few years. If there was an error, it was in not letting a DC go earlier. Capers has had a great career, he was just over the hill and we hung on to him too long. hindsight is great, but in this instance that decision seems to have primarily led to our missing at least two SB appearances.
Free agent
January 01, 2018 at 07:33 pm
The next 6 seasons should be fun to watch!
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 06:00 am
There is no guarantee that it will be fun, it may be just the opposite...
Rossonero
January 01, 2018 at 07:42 pm
Still in shock, but thrilled! All things must come to an end. Ted has lost his touch and I'm thrilled Mark Murphy is taking action.
Thank you Ted, for picking Aaron Rodgers and for all your hard work. Time to ride into the sunset.
McCarthy is officially on notice. If we get bounced in a wildcard game next year, he'll be toast.
Coldworld
January 02, 2018 at 06:14 am
I think you give Murphy too much credit. This has TT decision written all over it.
GRB1531
January 02, 2018 at 08:26 pm
AR fell in Ted,s lap . IT is now time to sign a offensive coordinator that will add new creases in our offense that will help our wide receivers get some separation. (crossing patterns does not seem to be one that confuses many defences )
Rossonero
January 01, 2018 at 07:43 pm
Free agency will be a lot more interesting now!
Doug Niemczynski
January 01, 2018 at 07:55 pm
At least so far this shake up is a win for the Packer fans !!!!!!
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 07:58 pm
That's the attitude we have to take.
We won't know for a couple years whether it's truly a win.
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 07:02 am
I agree with both of you. For now many fans sounds like very, very happy. But, as you, dobber, well said, we will know a couple years from now...
fthisJack
January 02, 2018 at 08:35 am
no...i think we'll know next year if the Packers are headed in the right direction. if their defense improves, its a big step toward getting to a SB.
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 08:02 pm
Packers Fans:
"They shit canned Capers finally! Whoever they find to fill the role of DC, they better not promote from within, can't be anyone who shares Capers' philosophy or assisted under him!"
Also Packers Fans:
"They shit canned TT finally! I can't wait for Elliot Wolf to take over. Or even Gutenkist! Everything will be different once TT's out and one of those guys is in!"
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 08:05 pm
Ironic, ain't it?
Brian
January 01, 2018 at 09:02 pm
I find the vitriol and instant euphoria troublesome. Seems people have forgotten the past. Can anyone recall the mess TT inherited from GM Sherman? TT was Ron Wolf's recommended choice as GM to succeed Sherman. Yes the Pack has been disappointing the last 5-6 years and changes needed to be made but let's be careful what we wish for and a bit appreciative of what these professionals have accomplished. All you have to do is look at all of the other teams in the NFC North over the past 20 years and their success or lack thereof. Yes Capers needed to go and sooner than he did and yes a new GM needs to replace Thompson. However, let's hope that those that choose the new GM choose wisely. My guess is that the GM move has been "in the works" for more than just a few months.
Bure9620
January 01, 2018 at 09:25 pm
Great points, Sherman was awful with personnel, as was Holmgren whom wanted that responsibility, was awarded it Seattle and bombed. You are right this could potentially backfire. And TT did inherit a poop storm. However, there are just too many misses in the draft with a hall of fame QB. Build an O-line and a respectable defense, at least top half of the league and we should compete every year. TT has not done so. Not doing anything at this point would be a bigger mistake and risk.
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 09:29 pm
Agree 100% with this, Brian.
Capers time is definitely up and GB did have to find TT's successor.. But people tend to forget only one other franchise in the NFL has fared better than the Packers during TT's tenure.
It is far easier to slip from that position than it is to improve upon it.
Too many are too eager to swing the axe, and frankly, seem too confident that the firings almost guarantee improved performance and success.
This seems fueled by some twisted concept that a HOF QB should automatically guarantee multiple super bowl victories. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am certainly not angered by Capers dismissal. I am not surprised that TT's role has been shifted away from GM.. but I am holding my breath to see what the future brings, because I know success is no guarantee.
HankScorpio
January 01, 2018 at 09:40 pm
"This seems fueled by some twisted concept that a HOF QB should automatically guarantee multiple super bowl victories. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Ask Drew Brees and NO.
Or Peyton Manning and Indy.
Or Brett Favre and GB.
Johnblood27
January 02, 2018 at 11:16 am
"This seems fueled by some twisted concept that a HOF QB should automatically guarantee multiple super bowl victories. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Ask Drew Brees and NO.
Or Peyton Manning and Indy.
Or Brett Favre and GB.
or Dan Marino
or Fran Tarkenton
or Jim Kelly
or ...
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 09:43 pm
"This seems fueled by some twisted concept that a HOF QB should automatically guarantee multiple super bowl victories. Nothing could be further from the truth."
I'm not the first to do it, but I'll hold up the Saints here with a sure-fire HOF QB in Drew Brees. They're back in the hunt this year after languishing through 7-win seasons, but at a stage where Brees has taken on the role of game manager more than in the past. They're a RB-centered team now, and Brees is getting a big chunk of his passing yards in YAC.
They made the turn in, essentially, one off-season by hitting on a couple key picks and staying healthy. Who's to say the Packers can't do that...but who's to say the Packers won't find themselves languishing in 7-9 purgatory for the next several seasons powered by the arm of #12.
badaxed
January 01, 2018 at 09:57 pm
Nothing in life is guaranteed . You either improve or regress. All I. Have heard from the current organization (MM) is everyone is accountable yet rarely have we seen this. This is the first time in a long time that someone is being held accountable for their actions and it is about time.
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 07:43 am
We keep calling this an "accountability" change, but I don't believe that anyone in the organization has called it that or will call it that.
People seem to think that Murphy walked into TTs office yesterday and offered him a "my way or the highway" ultimatum. We have no idea what happened. I believe that a plan for the end of TTs tenure as GM has been in the works for awhile given his age. To not have some idea as to how this transition would occur would be irresponsible of Murphy. And given that they're talking about restructuring the front office, he's had to have given this some thought and had some conversations with the executive committee on it.
People have been critical of Murphy for his lack of interference in football affairs with the Packers. I think this points to the fact that he's been actively working things over for some time.
HankScorpio
January 02, 2018 at 08:11 am
"People seem to think that Murphy walked into TTs office yesterday and offered him a "my way or the highway" ultimatum. We have no idea what happened"
I've seen it reported both ways so far....that TT is voluntarily stepping down and that Murphy forced the issue. Over the comings days and weeks, I'd really be interested to see which is the case. If it's the former, I would expect one of the in-house replacements to be the eventual choice. There would be the benefit of continuity as well as familiarity with MM, who has not been fired so is presumably wanted to stay.
If it's the latter, it makes no more sense to promote from within than it does to promote a defensive assistant to Capers' former role. Maybe one of those in-house candidates has been an advocate to do things radically differently but that's certainly not a given. And the fact that all have stuck around would tend to indicate a lack of dissatisfaction with the way things were run under TT. I mean, if every bit of advice you offered was ignored at your job, would you stay in it or look for the first opportunity to go some place where your opinion is valued?
fthisJack
January 02, 2018 at 08:41 am
MM should also be held accountable for the last 7 years of stagnation. i would like to see him replaced also.
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 08:48 am
Again, Hank: you're my hero!
Bearmeat
January 02, 2018 at 09:34 am
Hank,
In a field as small as professional football? Yes, yes I'd stay around. Look, I work as a professor in academia. Every year, there are less than 10 jobs available in my field around the country. For those 10ish jobs, there are usually more than 500 applicants. Sometimes north of 1,000.
When you land a job in a difficult field, you tend to put up with a lot more poop around the water cooler than you would in a job with a wide employment field.
And that doesn't mean that I think one or all of the quartet of Gutekunst, Wolf, Ball, Highsmith undermined Ted, nor that they are necessarily very unhappy. I just don't think we can:
1. Rule out that one or all of them were unhappy and did do so. We've heard leaks of the FO being unhappy with Ted's risk averse ways for years.
2. Lock in one of the 4 for the next GM. In a power struggle (if that is what happened), often all the involved parties look bad with the boss and all get demoted or canned.
HankScorpio
January 02, 2018 at 10:09 am
Bearmeat,
I'm not trying to suggest that any of the three GM candidates (Wolf, Gutekunst or Highsmith) are in lock-step 100% agreement with every TT move. But given those three are his top advisers, it is very likely that any disagreement is relatively minor.
Further, I seriously doubt that any of the 3 would take the reigns and shift the Packers away from a draft and develop philosophy. I have a reasonable confidence that everyone in that front office thinks the best way to built a roster is good drafting. The only difference is how aggressively they supplement the draft in FA and/or trades. It's hard to be less aggressive than TT and I think it likely none would.
Rossonero
January 01, 2018 at 09:34 pm
I am definitely thankful for Ted's contributions. He made some great decisions. However, it's time for a change. It's noble of the Packers to let him ride out his contract in a different role. I'm sure Mark Murphy 'n co. recognize that they'll lose Eliot Wolf and/or Brian Gutekunst if they continue to wait. The status quo is just not acceptable anymore.
Ds300916
January 01, 2018 at 10:32 pm
100% agree. If absolutely nothing else, us fans should be thankful Ted Thompson had the guts to not only draft Aaron Rodgers, but not roll over for a franchise legend in Brett Favre. That move alone has set us above half the league. In 5 years (and perhaps sooner) Patriots fans will be watching Jimmy G play at a high level in San Fran while they ride the QB carousel with half the league.
Samson
January 01, 2018 at 09:42 pm
Oppy and/or dobber
Are you suggesting that a NEW defensive coordinator and a NEW GM can't bring success to the GB Packers? --- You do know , right, that AR plans on being 100% healthy and ready to go (game 1) season 2018?
Hell, if AR stays healthy all of 2018, GB will improve on 7-9 and probably return to the playoffs. -- This team is still AR.
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 11:52 pm
The Packers would have probably won 10-12 games this season if AR didn't go down even with Capers and TT.
I'm not saying we won't have success with others- simply that with change comes uncertainty.
For what its worth.. Lord forbid we change back to a 4-3. The overhaul of the DL and LB corp could be a 2-3 year setback.
Bearmeat
January 02, 2018 at 09:36 am
Agreed. I do not think we have the personnel at OLB to run a 43 defense. I also don't think MM wants to switch back. He has to know he's on the hot seat right now and can't afford a defense that isn't at the very least top 15 next year. There will be no honeymoon for the new DC.
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 06:12 am
"Oppy and/or dobber
Are you suggesting that a NEW defensive coordinator and a NEW GM can't bring success to the GB Packers?"
Well, are you suggesting that NEW defensive coordinator and a NEW GM will bring success to GB Packers?
There are numerous franchisees in the NFL, which consider replacing GM and DC (and / or HC) with guaranteed success. However, when they do not succeed, they are constantly trying the same way ... What does this say to you?
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 07:46 am
I am suggesting that things can get worse. They can get better, yes, but they can definitely get worse.
Last I heard, the GM and DC don't take any snaps, rush the passer, cover receivers, catch passes, or tackle runners. ARod only does one of those things...which is why the Packers are where they are right now.
sonomaca
January 01, 2018 at 08:05 pm
This year proved that, without Rodgers, the Packers are one of the worst teams in the league. This means that TT has been living high off the Rodgers hog all these years.
Don’t get me wrong. The Rodgers pick was one of the four best in NFL history (Unitas, Montana, Brady, Rodgers). However, that’s not enough.
HankScorpio
January 01, 2018 at 09:53 pm
I don't think the sky is failing that badly. This year proved that with Brett Hundley, they were one of the worst teams in the NFL.
It's still a matter of debate how they would do with a QB talent somewhere near the middle of those two extremes.
Roadrunner23
January 01, 2018 at 08:08 pm
Glad the old "white Hair" can spend his time in the dark of the film room, it's what he does best. Yes the Packers have had this in the works for awhile and they have a pretty good idea of what they want to do moving forward. I expect a new GM and DC will be on board shortly and the Packers will go all in (including extensions for McCarthy and Rodgers) It's all business in 2018 boys. Super Bowl!
TKWorldWide
January 03, 2018 at 10:58 am
Is that Gene Hackman?
TommyG
January 01, 2018 at 08:11 pm
I'm not surprised by his departure; in fact, I would be surprised if this isn't a mutual move. What does surprise me is that this happened before AR has signed his sundown contract. It is nice to see that the organization is serious about moving forward. I am now seriously wondering if MM is next on the chopping block. Never forger, it was bill walsh himself who said coaches should never go beyond ten years.
stockholder
January 01, 2018 at 11:21 pm
A-Rod is on Notice. He wanted Adams signed. He better not get hurt. He better produce. MM is his coach. MM fired Capers etc. To get someone in here will take a contract of 2 years or more. Based on new coaches coming in I doubt it.
Cartwright
January 01, 2018 at 08:16 pm
Maybe they did this so fast because other teams are knocking on Wolf's door. They lost Dorsey, they didn't want to lose him. I'm thinking it's Wolf because he's been with them so long and there looking to hire from within. So glad these moves have happened, management must have been reading this website, which I would like to give a happy new year to and so happy I found last year. It has enhanced my packer experience. I wasn't looking forward to next, now I am. Go Packers
TKWorldWide
January 03, 2018 at 11:02 am
“they’re looking to hire from within”
“management must have been reading this website”; that right there is comedy gold!
badaxed
January 01, 2018 at 08:18 pm
The Apple does not fall far from the tree. Elliot wolf my choice.
badaxed
January 01, 2018 at 08:31 pm
Happy New year! Dum Capers and the white zombie are out. Only Mcpuffy to go. Tick tock the fat man is on the clock. Anyone who thinks Hundley is an NFL qb does not belong as a coach.
PatrickHelms
January 01, 2018 at 08:37 pm
Awesome....finally!! Go Pack Go!!
snowdog
January 01, 2018 at 09:35 pm
And a cheer could be heard around the world .
Happy New Year Packer Nation !
4thand1
January 01, 2018 at 08:56 pm
Internally, I wonder what was being said behind closed doors. Rodgers wasn't happy and I think the brass knew it. They saw what this team was without him. Anybody who knows anything about football saw the complete meltdown. There are going to be a lot of new faces everywhere, on the field too. It should be a good thing to know your job isn't safe if you don't do it right. TT seemed to see the writing on the wall himself, and give him credit, stepped aside. This off season and draft just became waaaay more interesting. Maybe the team will have get rid of the slide and ice rink for a year.
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 09:33 pm
What are you basing "Rodgers wasn't happy" on, and what exactly does that mean?
croatpackfan
January 02, 2018 at 06:13 am
Oppy, he is intimate friend of Aaron. He knows exactly what he is talking about...
Samson
January 01, 2018 at 09:15 pm
Both Dom and TT are in their 60's (so am I). -- When you fail in your 60's---- you go home and remember the good ol days when you were still relevant. -- I hope both have a happy & healthy twilight of their lives.
No doubt the coming weeks and months will define the Pack for at least the rest of AR's career. -- I'm still hopeful that the NEW GM will send MM & all his comrades packing.
GoldenRetriever
January 01, 2018 at 09:08 pm
God bless Ted Thompson. I’m thankful for his many
years of selfless work on behalf of the Green Bay Packers, and wish him well in his ongoing role within the organization. We as fans are very lucky to have had him here.
packerbackerjim
January 01, 2018 at 09:12 pm
My suspicion is Russ Ball is the new GM; MM will be retained but on a very short leash. Interesting to see how AR weighed in!
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 09:34 pm
Do you really want a bean counter as your GM?
No offense to Russ Ball, but to the best of my knowledge, he's not a talent evaluator; he's a contract negotiator.
packerbackerjim
January 01, 2018 at 09:46 pm
I said “my suspicion” not my desire.
Bure9620
January 01, 2018 at 09:49 pm
Ball though talented, is not a personnel guy at all, no scouting experience. You need a talent evaluator in the GM role I believe.
Oppy
January 02, 2018 at 04:45 pm
I may have spoken too soon about Ball's resume'.
They are talking about it on 1250 AM MKE, apparently he has a very broad work history in the NFL. I do not know the details, but Gary Ellerson is adamant he is not just a numbers guy.
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 09:26 pm
There was a piece a year or so ago in the Journal-Sentinel about how TT had taken Ball under his wing to help him learn the ropes of scouting. As I understand, Ball put in significant time and had developed some skills in those areas. Still, it's not like scouting is something Ball has done for 20 years.
I'll bring up this: David Stearns is doing a pretty good job with the Brewers. He has minimal background in scouting. I think his college work was in political science and he's never played organized baseball beyond the HS level. His training up til taking over the Brewers has been primarily in management, analytics and contracts. Now, understandably, the Brewers were bottom of the barrel in terms of talent, and the minor league system utilized by MLB gives teams plenty of opportunities to hit/miss. But this is a different era in terms of analytics. Baseball is more amenable to it, I think, than football. But it doesn't mean that a number cruncher with a sound mind and only a little bit of scouting in his training can't do the job.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stearns
GVPacker
January 01, 2018 at 09:16 pm
Change is good!
Oppy
January 02, 2018 at 04:46 pm
I'm sure that was the battle cry when Vince Lombardi left Green Bay.
GVPacker
January 01, 2018 at 09:22 pm
This also means Mike McCarthy is on notice! This upcoming season he better produce or else!!!
stockholder
January 01, 2018 at 11:04 pm
Don't agree. I think MM will be staying. They just put the control of the roster back in his hands. No longer will we be playing guys because of draft status, contract issues, and TTs FA signings. The roster just became competitive again.( Your here to play football. Not look for hand outs. ) You only have to look at the guys TT didn't replace. Raji,Pickett, Bishop, etc. You only have to look at the players that signed with other clubs that became all-pros, or kept their career going. The coaching staff won today. The players are on NOTICE.
UmpireMark
January 01, 2018 at 09:28 pm
This has already been said, but I'm too lazy to read 78 posts. This is who I want for D.C. ........
Vic Fangio, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator: Everywhere Fangio has been, defense has been his team’s calling card. From Baltimore to San Francisco to Chicago, he has built strong 3-4 teams who rush the passer without a lot of blitzing and swarm to the ball. Fangio, 59, may get head-coach interest and will be a hot item for defensive coordinator positions if he doesn’t.
............
Without a lot of blitzing.... swarm to the ball .... built strong 3-4 teams ...... the end of Ninja and Nitro schemes ......
Thank you!
Doug Niemczynski
January 01, 2018 at 09:51 pm
Yeah but he was under Dom Capers
Ds300916
January 01, 2018 at 10:34 pm
Every single one of our GM candidates was under Ted Thompson.
jimtalkbox
January 01, 2018 at 09:34 pm
I figured TT would be gone after his contract was up but the NFL is constantly changing and if there’s a time to do this, it’s now.
I for one am not going to belly-ache and moan about how we should have 4 Super Bowls with Aaron, because that’s not based on ANY sort of reality.
Thompson took a completely talent deficient roster led by an aging all-time QB and rebuilt us into an ANNUAL competitor INCLUDING winning it all in 2010. He definitely was the right man for the job after the Sherman era and I’m glad we had him for as long as we did.
That being said, the Future is NOW! I’m looking forward to the next guy getting in there and making his own mark! I hope he has as much or more success than Thompson!
GO PACK GO!
Since'61
January 01, 2018 at 10:03 pm
More good news from Lombardi Avenue.
Let's hope that we can rebuild the roster in time to utilize Aaron Rodgers skills while he is still playing for the Packers.
Since the Packers intend to keep MM (or he would be gone by now) their next move should be for the new GM to extend MMs contract ASAP so that he is not a lame duck coach while he is recruiting a new DC.
MM can be given a 2 year extension which would take him through the 2020 season. If he doesn't get the Packers back to the playoffs with a healthy AR in 2018 he can still be let go then or at the end of 2019 if necessary.
Get the coaching staff and management taken care of and have everyone on the same page in time for the FA period and the draft. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
GVPacker
January 02, 2018 at 07:37 am
You're always a voice of reason Since '61....Thank You!
Since'61
January 02, 2018 at 09:58 am
GVP - appreciate your generous comment and enjoy your posts as well. Thanks, Since '61
Mojo
January 01, 2018 at 10:28 pm
Like the Baby New Year there is a rebirth going on in Green Bay.
I'm cautiously optimistic.
We certainly can't predict what success the succeeding GM will have but I felt they needed to move on. Way too many misses in the upper-half of the more recent drafts. One thing I'd caution fans on if they're in the Wolf the Younger or Gutekunst camp is exactly how much input did they have in some the draft duds?
Anyway, even though I thought the Pack needed to make these moves, I was a great supporter of what TT did early in his tenure. Cleaning up the Sherman mess and especially considering the crap he took after the Favre spectacle. (Turns out TT was right to go with ARod).
Hopefully fans can rejoice in the optimism of the new regime change without trashing what a decent man did for this organization.
stockholder
January 01, 2018 at 10:36 pm
The whole packer organization will profit by this. The green Bay packers are more than TT. The executives aren't so brain dead after all. The club needed help and 1 man was not going to fix it. Changes had to be made. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, was becoming the packers slogan. TT became Sherman. And the end result was we no longer could Trust him. I'm happy that the Blame game can stop now. The experts all make mistakes. TT made some very awesome moves. And This just became the right one to move the packers forward again.
Bure9620
January 01, 2018 at 10:46 pm
Part of me also wonders if Murphy's hand was forced here. The naive part of me believes Murphy actually meant what he said the GM job is TT's for as long as he wants it but his hand was forced by the board. We see this in corporate America all the time with executive personnel decisions. The CEO doesn't want to fire someone and rock the boat and is overridden by the board. I wonder if we had a conventional structure and Murphy were simply the owner, would TT still be GM??
HankScorpio
January 02, 2018 at 09:36 am
Please don't suggest the Board is meddling in football operations. The flashbacks to the 70s & 80s are not a pleasant thing.
Bearmeat
January 02, 2018 at 09:47 am
Hate to tell you Hank, but.... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/01/02/report-board-of-director...
HankScorpio
January 02, 2018 at 11:33 am
Thanks for the link?
First, let me say that McGinn is starting his own website and a bombshell like this is not something I entirely trust. Having said that, McGinn is a well-respected reporter with deep league-wide contacts. So I have an open-mind that there may be something to it.
Based only on the PFT summary of the article (which may or may be an accurate one), there are things that both ease my concern and raise it. On the easing my concern front, the summary seems to indicate the Board is concerned about TT's physical and mental well-being. That's been whispered about for years. There is a lot of smoke that may indicate a fire.
Now, onto the part that raises concerns, the mention of personnel moves as a motivating factor scares me to death. I don't want a bunch of armchair-GMs that don't know the whole story and don't have the background to judge even if they do dictating football operations. Let them brag at cocktail parties all they want but they should keep their noses out of draft picks, FA choices, Xs and Os and anything else that goes into what happens on the field each week.
And the possibility that a new GM might turn into a new HC, too, might leave the Packers beginning their search after other openings have been filled. Which is not an attractive thing. You almost have to force MM onto the next guy for at least a year. Which may blow up in 2018 and result in a 2019 change. And then Rodgers is 2 years older.
I'm still holding out hope that this whole thing has been in the works for months and a clear plan is in place to pick from among a pool of candidates that has worked with MM and thinks that relationship can work.
Finwiz
January 02, 2018 at 10:18 am
The board went to Murphy and told them what to do with Thompson.
Murphy apparently doesn't have any ability to make a decision on his own.
Not sure why that guy is still around, he's relatively invisible unless he's building stadiums.
HankScorpio
January 02, 2018 at 11:34 am
It's a good thing that Murphy is relatively invisible when it comes to football operations.
Pauly
January 01, 2018 at 11:47 pm
Another thought.
Belichick, as GM and HC,, has demonstrated how effective it can be when a Head Coach has a say in roster building!
With a new GM I think Murphy would be smart to give McCarthy a voice in building the roster during drafting and FA trades.
McCarthy obviously did not have faith in Hundley as a QB but had no say in the matter.
McCarthy knew at the 53 cut down Taysom Hill was a better player to keep than CB Pipkins. Pipkins would have easily made it to PS for example.
The GM can be too far from the daily action.
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Belichick is an absolute anomaly.
HC/GM is almost always a dumpster fire.
It is really, really hard to get a player who just went through a difficult contract negotiation where he didn't get what he thought he was worth to play for his coach... who was the guy who low balled his contract.
4zone
January 02, 2018 at 12:01 am
The season just ended two days ago and already you have more to blog about than since the last SB win.
4zone
January 02, 2018 at 12:16 am
I think this was handled wisely. I think it makes for a smooth transition without throwing someone who did a lot of good for the team over the years under the bus. I doubt they hire anyone who would cut MM this year. They need time to see how he and the new GM perform together.
I expect Murphy already has a pretty good idea who the next GM is likely to be. This looks to be something that has been in the works for some time at least.
Donster
January 02, 2018 at 05:43 am
A late Christmas present, but hey, wishes can come true! No more Zombie Ted and Crappers defense! I am guessing that if they hire Baby Wolf, Gutekunst, or Ball, MM gets to finish out his contract. If an outsider is hired, it may have a stipulation that MM gets to finish his contract, then the GM can make the decision on what to do with him.
packergal
January 02, 2018 at 07:30 am
Interesting conspiracy theory...Why was MM so vocal and stubborn about BH being "our quarterback" in the final days? Was it to show the world the enormity of TT ineptitude and his "failed draft and develop" policy? On top of that...MM not pleased that TT allowed Cook and key OL to leave AROD unprotected. Maybe MM is smarter than he looks? He does get cover for 2018.
dobber
January 02, 2018 at 07:52 am
I can only think of two cases where MM has aired his dirty laundry in the media, and that was when he essentially called Eddie Lacy fat and told him he needed to get his head on straight, and when he went looking for a TE.
MM always defends his players to the media. He doesn't call out management. He plays his cards close to the vest. In my mind, he does what an HC should do: he acts as the lightning rod for his team and handles his issues out of the spotlight. I don't think he orchestrated TTs ouster because he is smart, and he knows how tenuous his own position would become.
HankScorpio
January 02, 2018 at 09:34 am
Why would MM highlight his failure to develop Hundley as a QB? He's got a reputation, as well. Or maybe it is more fair to say he had a reputation for being good with QB development.
If MM was calculating his comments in an effort to make TT look bad, he's pretty darn dumb to fail to consider that it made him look just as bad.
packergal
January 02, 2018 at 09:46 am
Not sure any coach could have developed Hundley. Read his draft profile--poor pocket presence, inaccurate, failed to progress through reads. Sound familiar? Therefore, the selection did not make MM look bad--it made TT look bad.
Finwiz
January 02, 2018 at 10:34 am
Whoa....now I'm hearing it was the board of directors, and NOT Mark Murphy, as people were saying on here, that went to Murphy and said we don't believe TT is capable of doing the job anymore. Not only that, but apparently there's a level of arrogance in McCarthy that the board also did not like to see. This is getting very interesting now. We could very well be seeing a coaching change as well. I would have never figured that, but apparently MM has overstayed his welcome to some degree. What exactly does Mark Murphy do up there, besides do stadium renovations and entertainment districts?
TT's interactions with other execs within the organization have led the board to the opinion that Thompson may not have been "all there" at times. Channel the picture of him staring off into space on TV in the press box during the Minnesota game.
This is apparently what many within the organization were witnessing in person.
So the guy was basically becoming mentally incapacitated while on the job, as MANY had surmised, and it takes the BOD to make a decision on this, as opposed to having Mark Murphy do it. This doesn't paint a very pretty picture of exec management on the Packers.
Apparently another contributing factor in the BOD decision was the fact that Thompson was NEVER going to move on from McCarthy. This is the perception in the organization, that TT and MM were melded at the hip. This apparently also did not sit well with the BOD. It appears certain people within the organization are not particularly impressed with MM's arrogant attitude with the media and the fans, and it's possible he has been projecting the same attitude with upper management.
Bearmeat
January 02, 2018 at 10:37 am
I hope this is not true. I hope this time of change has been orchestrated for months or years. We will have to wait to find out.
Mostly, I hope the next GM is as good as TT was his first 6 years on the job in the draft and augments the roster with outside talent too.
Finwiz
January 02, 2018 at 11:03 am
Apparently there has been a lot of argument behind closed doors regarding player acquisition. There was a big disagreement apparently on Micah Hyde - many wanted to keep him, but Thompson did not. Something was not functioning well within management regarding oversight, that this defense could be that bad for 3-4 years, and nobody made a decision to move on from that DC. Something was terribly wrong for that defense to have been allowed to be that bad for so long and nothing changed.
I would offer the opinion, as others have suggested, that MM and Capers probably thought the scheme was sound, but they weren't getting the proper talent. I guess when it all boils down, I'm not surprised or unhappy that both Capers and Thompson are gone. Those two have the most to answer for regarding the problems that came to a head in 2017.