What Can We Really Expect From Ted Thompson?

As soon as the Green Bay Packers 2016 season ended with the loss in the NFC championship game in Atlanta, speculation immediately began about what changes the organization might undergo.  One of the biggest question marks was the future of general manager Ted Thompson.  Thompson signed a multi-year extension back in 2014 and the Packers have stated that they know when he plans to step away from his current role.  But no details have been made known to the media or the public so they've been left to speculate when that will be.  As far as who might replace Thompson, the most popular belief has been that current Director of Football Operations Eliot Wolf is the heir apparent to Thompson and with several teams recently interviewing Wolf for their vacant general manager positions, that might speed up the process of Thompson's departure.  Wolf removed himself from consideration for the San Francisco 49ers job and he was not offered the job after interviewing with the Indianapolis Colts.  With Wolf returning to Green Bay, it seemed even more plausible that the time had come for a changing of the guard at general manager for the Packers.

Alas, it quickly became clear during head coach Mike McCarthy's postseason press conference that Thompson would indeed be back as GM in 2017.  With the Packers so hush-hush about the structures within their organization, it's hard to know if Thompson is going to carry on as the final voice in personnel moves or if someone else, whether Wolf or possibly Vice President of Administration/Player Finance Russ Ball might start having more input.  Assuming that it's business as usual and Thompson is going to be pulling the trigger on free agency and the draft process, what can we expect from him with the Packers reaching two of the last three conference championship games and falling short?

This question has been speculated quite a bit in the short amount of time since Green Bay's season ended.  The most popular theory amongst those close to the team and in the media is that we can only reasonably expect Thompson to carry on as he has for years.  That means counting on his current young players to make a jump and be able to contribute more this year and beyond.  It also means another offseason of Thompson deciding which of the team's current free agents they want to re-sign, little or no activity in unrestricted free agency outside of their own, and a full draft board followed by undrafted free agents to bolster the roster.  This is otherwise known as "draft and develop".

Thompson's history in Green Bay spans nearly 12 years and between free agency and his draft selections, there are a lot of player names to sift through and credit him with.  Not known for bringing in players from the outside, Thompson's first player add was just that: offensive lineman Adrian Klemm, who never played a down for the team after suffering an injury.  While that was not a successful transaction, his first draft selection would be.  Thompson took quarterback Aaron Rodgers 24th overall in the 2005 draft, easily Ted's best single player move in his time in Green Bay.  It was almost as if those two moments were foreshadowing his future and saying: focus on the draft and don't spend as much time in free agency.  

Rodgers is a tough act to follow and while Thompson has had some success with some of his draft picks and free agent signees, there are still a lot of complaints that he's not doing enough to capitalize on the nucleus of talent that the Packers have and have had.  Following the 2013 season and a second straight loss to the 49ers in the playoffs, the Packers were heavily rumored to be looking to add multiple free agents.  After watching Thompson neglect to be a player in free agency and instead rack up compensatory picks for free agents lost, many laughed off the rumors.  Before long, Thompson had signed Julius Peppers and Letroy Guion and the 2014 season nearly ended with a Super Bowl appearance.  Following that season, the Packers seemed primed to return as a top contender but did not add any real outside talent outside of the draft in 2015.  In 2016, Thomspon brought in tight end Jared Cook (albeit seemingly reluctantly when he could have done so sooner) and that move paid off, if only for the huge catch late in the Dallas playoff game that set up the winning field goal.  But it wasn't until the running back position was decimated by injury that Thompson looked to the outside again and traded for Knile Davis followed by the signing of Christine Michael when the Seattle Seahawks released him.

The failure in Atlanta had a lot to do with injuries and reliance on players who weren't of the caliber that is needed to win big games.  The Packers have had no trouble getting to the postseason but winning deep into January has been an issue that has often come down to the failures of young players who were likely asked to do more than they should have been at that time.  So will this finally be the year that Thompson realizes that he needs to add some experience to this Packers team?  Your guess is as good as mine.

Cornerback is one of the team's biggest needs.  So is Ted really going to rely on an improved Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter and expect that to work?  Anything is possible and the thought of that is enough to give fans nightmares.  Both Randall and Rollins took steps backward in 2016 after injuries and a lack of ability to progress within the defense kept them from taking the type of leap between their rookie season and second year that many hoped would happen.  Gunter was never expected to play a ton but injury to Sam Shields as well as Randall and Rollins made that a necessity.  Will Thompson be reminded of how thin the corner position was left when he let Casey Hayward leave in free agency and his two high draftees from the previous year failed to thrive?  Will Thompson also remember how huge the return was on Charles Woodson, who was getting little interest in free agency in 2006 and turned into the defensive player of the year in 2009 and a huge part of the 2010 championship team?  This is one area where the Packers, in my opinion, need to keep a close eye on the transaction list.  The Packers are going to have a healthy amount of cap space, projected between $30-$40 million but Thompson is still not likely to make a big splash signing.  At corner and more than any other area of need, the Packers have to improve and have to get it right.  That means adding depth and experience.

Other needs are running back, pass rush and offensive line depth.  With a full slate of draft picks, don't expect Thompson to start signing guys left and right, but adding multiple able-bodied vets would likely show a heightened commitment to winning now and giving the team the talent to do so.  So the burning question remains: what do you expect out of Thompson this year?  Is it another year of Ted napping through the offseason until draft day or should we allow ourselves to dream and think this might be another year where Thompson makes some eyebrow-raising moves and gets this team over the hump and into another Super Bowl?

 

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (71)

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Lphill's picture

February 13, 2017 at 06:57 am

I think he knows he is being blamed for the Packers failure to get to the Super Bowl , he can't leave it all on Rodgers, give him a defense, can any of you imagine that if we had a defense that could actually cause 3 and outs and give the ball more to Rodgers how many points the Packers Offense could really score? It can't be that difficult to shore up the secondary . Get it done Ted or get out of Green Bay !

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NickPerry's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:15 am

I'm not sure exactly when Randall was injured but it was somewhere around the Dallas game, the 5th game of the Packers schedule. I read something interesting yesterday about Randall, he was the #1 ranked CB for his performance in Jacksonville according to PFF. It was short lived though because he was ranked last or close to it after weeks 2 and 3, I mean the dude was torched and that was BEFORE the injury.
I only bring this up because everybody points to the injury Randall suffered as the reason for the poor play including Jason in this piece. Randall gave up 9 catches for 182 yards & 1 TD in week 2 to Diggs and followed it up with giving up 6 catches for 205 yards & 2 TD's against Marvin Jones. Whatever confidence he had from week one was gone after weeks 2 and 3. The injury only made it that much worse. Not to mention Diggs and Jones aren't exactly "Elite".
Randalls struggles started before the injury. Granted he's young, played Safety in College, but he was also asked to play coverage quite a bit at ASU if I remember correctly. He's GOT to be better than last year right? I mean could he actually be worse???

I've always thought TT was one of the best in the NFL at managing the cap. The Packers rarely have any dead cap money. But even Ted has to be able to look at this roster and know he can't get to the promised land with just another rookie class, he needs to add some experience with some talent. Thompson has been successful the last few years adding players who have been cut. Peppers and Guion almost got us there. Cook gave us the TE we haven't had since Finley. I fully expect Thompson to add to the Packers roster this way again. One SB appearance in 12 seasons with Rodgers and Favre isn't enough, even TT HAS to see this. All the NFC North Titles, all the Playoffs are great, But with 2 HOF QB's it's just not good enough.

Edit... Jason mentioned it and I've read it elsewhere too. I wonder if Wolf isn't more involved this year in Free Agency. There was rumors Wolf was really upset with Thompson the last offseason with his lack of FA involvement. Maybe Wolf is a bigger part of the process this year.

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jasonperone's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:35 am

I did glaze over Randall's play this year because it wasn't the center of the piece but I am not one who thinks injury alone was his culprit. He clearly needs to mature mentally and learn about the off-the-field aspects of being a pro. I thought he was going to rise up and become a core piece this year and now I peak at "OK" with him being on the outside and covering speedy wide outs. I guess we'll see how he looks in preseason and hope he had a "Davante Adams" sophomore season.

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NickPerry's picture

February 13, 2017 at 01:45 pm

Jason normally I agree in most cases with you and was merely pointing out what you had mentioned. With that said are we now going to hope all 2nd year players who were outright pathetic, does a Davante Adams? Boy, I hope that's not the way the Packers approach this thing.

I mean Randall was as bad as it gets as a CB all season. He was ranked 115th to 123rd on every Sunday night game when they show the PFF grade. He sucked before, during, and after the injury!

"He clearly needs to mature mentally and learn about the off-the-field aspects of being a pro."

Hell, I'd settle for him to be within 5 yards of the receiver he's covering.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:46 am

'Randall gave up 9 catches for 182 yards & 1 TD in week 2 to Diggs and followed it up with giving up 6 catches for 205 yards & 2 TD's against Marvin Jones.'

Randall didn't give up that alone to those players. Maybe the majority of it, but Jones had a 73 yard TD reception against Hawkins.
Can't blame Randall for Hawkins giving up a 73 yard TD.

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mrtundra's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:53 am

When Randall was struggling, especially in the Minnesota game, he got no Safety help at all. Dom had the Safeties on the LOS and on the opposite end of the line and Randall was left to deal with Minnesota's speediest WRs on his own and he got burned all game. There were no adjustments made to give him help, at all. That's on the DC.

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NickPerry's picture

February 13, 2017 at 01:52 pm

Please make sure to include the rest. He was the worst or in the bottom of the CB rankings for weeks 2 and 3. Remember every Sunday Night Game? They show the rankings. Randalls HIGH was about 115. The passer rating against him was in the 120's. Was THAT the 73 yard TD too???

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 04:15 pm

Trust me. I get he was bad.
I'm just simply saying that Jones caught 6 passes for 205 yards and blaming it entirely on Randall is not fair. Especially when Hawkins gave up the 73 yard play to him.

I'm not making excuses for him. Just stating that we shouldn't go over board in blaming him for everything that happened.

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porupack's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:51 am

Good observations and points. Sure hope you're right about Eliot getting more involved in FA. One has to wonder about the way Eliot interviewed, but then offered raise to stay in GB... hopefully he increased his leverage and has a bigger role. So maybe those rumors are right.

Yeah, TT managed the cap well, but so did about 26 other teams. Even Cowboys seem to be just fine once Jerry got out of the way, and they usually bring in several FAs. So I think TT is over rated on that bit. But I agree, he hasn't wasted much on dead-cap money, and that is one positive not to dismiss.

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cummings's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:37 am

But, did those 26 other teams make it to the championship game?

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:23 am

"I read something interesting yesterday about Randall, he was the #1 ranked CB for his performance in Jacksonville according to PFF. It was short lived though because he was ranked last or close to it after weeks 2 and 3, I mean the dude was torched and that was BEFORE the injury."

What else happened in week 1? Sam Shields, who takes the heat off the #2 CB, got hurt. After that, a combination of youth, injury, and a decimated confidence pretty much destroyed his season. I'm not saying Randall is otherwise some kind of wunderkind (he didn't finish well in 2015, either), but circumstances certainly didn't line up in his favor in 2016.

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NickPerry's picture

February 13, 2017 at 01:56 pm

Common dobber, you're normally a voice of reason here. Randall was PATHETIC, all season long. If he was THAT injured then TT should have went out and gotten someone else to play, especially missing Shields. When he did come back after the injury he looked scared, like he wanted no part of the WR across from him.

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ILPackerBacker's picture

February 13, 2017 at 01:20 pm

The only reason Randall got metrics the first game of the season is that Jackson has QB who could not hit the ground. Randall was beaten the same as he was beaten all season and specifically in the seattle game, where once again WIDE OPEN WRs were missed by the QB. Watch the games dont read conclusions.

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:11 am

We'd all love to see TT shore up the pass defense, whether it be corners or rushers or both.

We'd also like him to predict which position group will be hard hit with injuries next season and shore up that group too.

Lastly, we might also enjoy watching monkeys fly out of his...

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Razer's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:33 am

Love those flying monkeys.

Still, I hope the rushers and corners show up and the injuries don't.

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:25 am

Flying ASS monkeys.

I might not be able to watch The Wizard of Oz the same way ever again...

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:14 pm

Haha.

Thompson is a largely immutable personality. I expect him to change very little. I assume he knew that starting Gunter vs the top WRs in the playoffs was probably going to not work out and yet he did it anyway.

Why should we expect him to change now?

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dschwalm's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:31 pm

Fear not. Thompson will NOT change!

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Michael Castelaz's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:12 am

I think TT is one of the few GMs in sports that places as much emphasis on the culture as he does.

Bringing in guys that are not born and bred Packers gives an infusion of, "oh well when I was with the Patriots, I did this..."

When guys don't know anything other than GBP football, they don't have anything to compare and complain about.

Look how quickly they jettisoned Josh Sitton after a few weeks of preseason whining. They ask their players to stay dedicated, focused, disciplined and quiet. They breed that culture in Green Bay.

So for that reason, I think TT is hypersensitive to FA pickups... "You guys don't go out drinking the night before a game!? Man, in Buffalo we did it all the time! Come on, you'll be fine..."

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:34 am

'What Can We Really Expect From Ted Thompson?'

Do we expect the Tiger to change its spots?
We have seen Thompson in control of the Packers team for 12 years now. I think we know what to expect from him.
I don't expect him to go out and sign one of the top free agents on the first couple of days of free agency. I could see him going and trying to pick up a veteran CB. Or perhaps a veteran Pass rusher of some sort.

I do expect him to resign a quite a few of his own players. Cook, Perry, Hyde and Goode I think will be the first ones to resign. I think they will resign Lacy to a 1 year deal, and possibly Datone Jones to a 1 year deal.
And I expect them to stick to their plan in the draft.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:55 am

I didn't even know tigers had spots!

It is also part of TT's MO is to have one key FA on the defense.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 08:12 am

I love that line.

yeah, that is true.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:13 am

Spots? Lol.

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dschwalm's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:35 pm

Ted, do NOT waste money on Jones. He is only one of a million good-looking football players who SHOULD be effective but mostly a pilon - even against the run

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 13, 2017 at 06:59 pm

Leopard?

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:47 pm

Lol.
Haven't you heard that line before? I think Thompson has used it before... a tiger can't change its spots or a leopard can't change its stripes...

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 14, 2017 at 07:27 am

No, but that is pretty funny.

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croatpackfan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:43 am

OK, I will ask you once more! Which teams were in the play off last season? Only one team we can say spent a lot in FA. NYG. They lost to the Packers and went home. Some other teams not added more than one significant FA to their roster - Atlanta (center), Packers (TE), Steelers (TE), Texans (QB), Washington (CB), while Raiders & Cowboys did not add any significant FA before or during the season. Only Patriots signed Martellus Bennett, but that was aquired by trade - from Bears, so Packers did not have slightest possibility to aquire Bennett...
So, how much weight free agents brings to the possibility of winning SB? It looks like very little... I know I will got lot of minuses, because lot of you likes to think that your opinion is valid, but facts are not supporting that opinion! Sorry. The truth, very often, hurts...
Second, I noticed that we are all (including me) are very often willing to judge persons with lack of important facts. What we think and what is reality very often are completely different.
SO, when you are judging Ted Thompson, all of you are going from the position that he do not like to be involved in FA. But, truth may be far away from that presumption. What telling me that? Well, his history. When he can get top player for adequate price, he is all in (Charles Woodson, Pickett, Julius Peppers, Letroy Guion, Brian Bulaga, Randall Cobb, David Bakhtiari, Sam Shields etc). Even if he is not sold on players quality, but if it looks like the player can help the team, he will sign the player (Davis & Michael). Time told us that both RB are not that good as it was looking like when they were signed...
I think that Ted Thompson would not be able to develop significant amount of NFL GMs if he is that arogant & stupid as most of you are claiming. He already gave 3 GMs to NFL and this season 2 additional was in talks with other teams. It tells you a lot of their chief, same as man and as expert.
I agree with you that "in Ted we trust" is stupid title, but, honestly, somehow I tend to believe more to Ted than any of you. Because I think Ted Thompson possess much larger knowledge than any of you (and especially me).
So, what I expect from Ted Thompson is that he will sign very good to excellent player from FA for right (not always cheap - see Peppers) price to fill some roster problems Packers has at the moment.
But, I'm sure, it doesn't matter what names and how much hatred you will throw to him, he will do the best for Packers on Packers' fans satisfaction...
Thank you!

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cummings's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:47 am

Thank you!!! I don't believe he is perfect, but name me another GM that has a better track record than TT, besides BB. I look every year at the players that the writers want TT to sign. The majority of them do not pan out and cause their team to go into contract hell.

I would rather have a team that consistently has a chance to make it to the SB, than one I hope will make the playoffs.

If you look at the teams who have the best chance to make the SB year after year, it is the teams that have consistent GM/coach combinations.

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2017 at 10:07 am

I've never really been a "the window is closing" kind of guy with regard to ARod and Packer success, but what we saw last season was that the team struggles mightily when he's not at his best, and what we saw this season was that even when he's at the top of his game good, he can't do it all.

I also believe that injuries were a key issue for this team in 2016. If Sam Shields plays 13 regular season games and the playoffs, it makes a huge difference in our outlook on this roster...but maybe it doesn't push MM to shift the offensive scheme in the way that broke ARod loose.

Bottom line: you can never have enough good players. No one position can take the pounding that the Packer CBs and RBs took this year and still be productive at a championship level, but I feel comfortable in saying that many of us have been left with that nagging feeling that the overall talent level on this roster may be eroding away. Does TT have that feeling, too? If so, how does he respond? Does he deal back for volume in the draft and hope to hit the jackpot? Does he look for a Woodson-esque player acquisition? Who knows, but he has a track record of doing both. The lack of high-end playmakers and a perceived lack of depth/talent (on our parts) and how he sees those things will dictate what he does, I think.

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croatpackfan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 12:56 pm

I understand what you are saying. But can you please name those guys Packers (or Ted Thompson) had to sign to make injury depleted Packers better. Everybody spits on man and nobody gives names. There was nobody there who you may sign to improve Packers. And that is f*cking truth. All of you knows that. And I admit, I do not understand that need to spit on man who made Packers contender year after year after year...

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2017 at 10:52 pm

Sorry, croat, but I'm not sure where you're drawing this out of what I said. I agree 100% and have said on many occasions that the players people called for mid-season to save the Packers just weren't available on the FA market, and that nobody would have ever anticipated in the off-season when said players WERE available, that they would be needed at those particular positions.

My position in the previous message is that how TT interprets the current state of the Packers will dictate how he handles the roster this off-season. I don't see myself as either a TT supporter or a TT hater.

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croatpackfan's picture

February 14, 2017 at 02:40 am

Missundertood. My bad!

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Razer's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:51 am

I am not sure that the answer is out there in this year's FA offerings. The first two weeks will see teams overspend on some guys that don't warrant the money. What is left from the FA pool may have something worth consideration for depth - beyond that it is a sucker's bet.

Let's face it, losing Sam Shields was the dagger for this defense. Beyond that we have a problem getting pressure on the QB which only magnifies the weakness. In the games where we faced weak O-lines, our secondary was not a real concern. If you look at the Seattle game and their garbage O-line, you would think that we were rock stars. The lack of consistent pass rush was probably a bigger factor in our weak defensive play.

I will look to see where Ted focuses this draft and see if he addresses either pass rush or secondary prior to the start of next season. Either way, I don't expect our 3-4 and personnel mix to make it beyond a middle ranked defense yet again. Wrong players playing in the wrong system.

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zoellner25's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:56 am

Why does anyone even write stories about Ted anymore?

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Razer's picture

February 13, 2017 at 08:48 am

It brings out the polar opposites and heightens the angst of Packers fans. Its a traffic thing.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:10 am

Exactly. Just another article of what if.

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:47 am

It's like music: everyone has an opinion on what good music is. And just like music, people have differing opinions on what the signs of a good musician/band/performer actually are. It's the Pavlovian bell: we all listen when this one rings.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

February 13, 2017 at 07:58 am

As long as he doesn't blow money re-signing Hyde, I'm happy.

Gotta make every dollar count.

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Razer's picture

February 13, 2017 at 08:54 am

When pressed into a full-time corner role Hyde is average at best. Still, he is no worse than any of the other corners that we have. And, when the chips are on the line Hyde will make the big play. Like Gunter, he is a step slow but he is usually around contesting the receiver. Given our secondary, I would rather have him than not.

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dschwalm's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:40 pm

Hear! Hear!

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oldfart's picture

February 13, 2017 at 08:20 am

ONE WAY TO CHANGE THE GENERAL MANAGER'S STYLE FOR THE PACKERS IS TO AGGRESSIVELY RECRUIT BILL BELICHICK FOR THE POSITION. HE HAS THE MOST SUPER BOWL RECORDS UNDER HIS BELT.

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stockholder's picture

February 13, 2017 at 08:23 am

TT will beat his chest. He will live off his record. His skin is thick. He has no ears when focused. TT is the reason the packers make it to the play-offs. He needs no hero. Until this team has a total melt down, expect nothing. The truth is TT is a bargain hunter now. Bargain hunters only try to save money or make it. His bigger fear would be to win the super-bowl, and deal with all the egos. Arrogance is what he does not draft. Family, dreamers and guys that bring their lunch pail, are what TT wants. You can't spend pride. If your a fan you follow and don't pick. Bitch all you want. TT knows he's a success, and if you don't like it tuff. Expect nothing! That way you won't be disappointed.

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egbertsouse's picture

February 13, 2017 at 08:44 am

I predict he will overpay Cook, Hyde, Perry; will sign Barclay, Tretter, and Jones for more than they are worth; and let Lang and Lacy go. He will sign one scrap heap FA.

Those are my expectations.

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ShanghaiKid's picture

February 13, 2017 at 11:30 am

Those expectations unfortunately, are probably not far from the truth at all.

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dschwalm's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:42 pm

I am afraid that those are my expectations as well.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:08 am

Almost don't want to think about it. Don't know what to expect, but do hope he heeds Rodgers words and reloads. Just doubt he will.

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ShanghaiKid's picture

February 13, 2017 at 11:36 am

I'm with you, McCarthy begged for a good TE last year who could stretch the field, look what happens to the offense after Teddy gets out of his chair. Rodgers might as well have been begging for help. He carried the team through the run and was given no help by players around him in the NFCCG when he wasn't his sharpest.

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TKWorldWide's picture

February 13, 2017 at 08:16 pm

But TT would not have signed Cook for an amount that he deemed unsuitable. Simple as that.

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D.D.Driver's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:17 am

I know that fans are a little nuts about Eliot Wolf, but McGinn shoots down all the Eliot-mania:

"Murphy is dead right in not declaring a successor to Thompson. The best successors presently are under contract in KC (John Dorsey), Sea (John Schneider) and Oak (Reggie McKenzie). You can throw in Scot McCloughan in Washington, too. Wolf and Gutekunst have never made GM decisions. Neither has Ball, but at least he has worked several other places. Dorsey, Schneider, McKenzie and McCloughan are GMs. It's not really a young man's gig in Green Bay right now. The pressure to win is unbearable. It requires seasoning under pressure. Sports Illustrated's Austin Murphy referred to Green Bay this fall as "EnTitletown." He was comically spot on."

I think this is correct. Wolf is like 35 and hardly has a resume worthy of being the Packers GM in the short term. Being the son of someone successful does NOT mean that you will be good at your job. If that were true, Joe Buck would be the best in the business.

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:55 am

I can't like this post enough. I don't care for Bob McGinn, but he's dead right. We don't know who the best candidate for GM will be when TT finally steps down.

We beat on TT, but player/personnel is a top-to-bottom, GM-to-scouts-to-coaches-to-managers-to-trainers, endeavor. When a player succeeds in GB is it all due to TT? Nope. When a player fails in GB is it all on TT? Nope. TT is the face of player acquisition and roster management, and we really don't know who has his ear and how he makes his final decisions. Do we really know who was rattling their saber to draft Khyri Thornton? Not really, but when TT makes that call, he's the one married to it. For all we know, that was Brian Gutekunst's or Eliot Wolf's pet project (maybe not, because they likely weren't in that position of influence just yet, but you get the point).

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croatpackfan's picture

February 13, 2017 at 01:07 pm

Thank you. I was telling that 2 years now. Elliot Wolf may show he is brilliant GM, but first he had to have few drafts on his own, before we can tell if he is what all of you expect from him... And I know, most of you expect from Elliot Wolf to sign some big FA names and ruin Packers franchise for, lets say, next 20 years?

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dschwalm's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:45 pm

Joe Buck IS one of the best, if not THE BEST, in the business!

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Point-Packer's picture

February 13, 2017 at 04:40 pm

What drugs are you on and how can I get my hands on some?

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D.D.Driver's picture

February 13, 2017 at 05:26 pm

This is a DISGUSTING opinion. I apologize to all the CHTV readers for having been exposed to it.

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Savage57's picture

February 13, 2017 at 09:22 am

If you're going to put all of your personnel in the Draft and Develop basket and eschew other means to stock your roster, you'd better be outstanding at judging horseflesh.

Ted isn't, and the results are self-evident. He got it really, right, once. And the result of that anomaly has allowed 'the legend of Ted Thompson' to have more credibility than the myth it is.

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Packmaniac's picture

February 13, 2017 at 11:13 am

Bingo. Spot-on, Savage

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dobber's picture

February 13, 2017 at 12:54 pm

I wonder what Drew Brees would say with regard to the "he got his QB and everything else has been gravy" kind of comment...

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Mags's picture

February 13, 2017 at 01:05 pm

Savage, you got it exactly right.

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dschwalm's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:46 pm

Best post today, Savage

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NMPF's picture

February 13, 2017 at 10:08 am

Perry, Cook and Hyde will be re-signed early. Bulaga moves to RG, Spriggs to RT. Lang, Tretter gone. Datone, Michael and Barclay re-signed late after getting little or no activity on open market. Lacy gone. Lower tier DL and CB UFA signed late. Another draft of predominately defense.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 14, 2017 at 07:49 am

Yuck. Barclay stays and Lacy leaves?

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Since'61's picture

February 13, 2017 at 10:17 am

TT will sign some of his own FAs probably Perry, Lang, Hyde, Lacy and maybe Jones. He will look to sign some mid-level FAs at a reasonable price and he will draft and sign his usual group of UDFAs. He has followed this MO for 12 seasons so I do not expect it to change now. As TT deserves credit for fielding a team which consistently has double digits wins, division titles and reaches the playoffs he must also take the blame for the team's failure to win more than one SB. He hired the right coach in MM, he drafted his franchise QB in Aaron Rodgers and has built a solid OL with some very effective weapons but he has failed on the defensive side of the ball, especially since 2010. We have gone without safeties and ILBs for 2-3 seasons at a time. Now we are weak at pass rush and CB. Will TT bring in the players needed to solidify those positions? Maybe. We won't have the answer until next season's playoffs. If the Packers win the SB TT will get his share of the glory if not he will be be deservedly questioned and second guessed yet again. Thanks, Since '61

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lou's picture

February 13, 2017 at 03:37 pm

As a Packer fan I hope Ted uses any means available to "reload" but being realistic the number of holes on the defense that need to be addressed to give them a real shot at the Super Bowl are really stacked against them. The D-Line even with "blue chip" Daniels requires a 21 year old 2nd year player to play like Rajii in 2017 and Lowery to be what Guion was until he reresed, they have to plan for 2 new starting CB's coming in by whatever means(or have the CB position require former WR's active as DB's because of NO depth like in 2016), sign Perry and hope Mathews stays healthy (young enough and a family history of NFL longevity to come back strong) or look for a stud OLB to add and hope Fackrell & Elliott progress to do at least as much as Peppers and Jones did. I know the Packers fans hate to envision this but it is what it is. Then net is the same Ted Thompson pro/con posts will be on this site the same time next off season, just look at the scope of what he is being asked to do.

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al bundy's picture

February 13, 2017 at 04:21 pm

I think the pass d was horrid three seasons ago. i can recall analyst questioning how this team could give up huge chunks of yardage. They almos t broke the record for most pass yardage given up.
Last year i saw impovement and was hopeful for better this year. Ithink what we have now is what we have. Without free agents or a top corner drafted your at sqaure one for next year.
I agree with jimmy johnson who used to say about his great Miami success, 'you have to recruit speed and size, you cant coach it.
Our guys arent getting faster or bigger next year, year three or not.

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Turophile's picture

February 14, 2017 at 04:47 am

Lets address the bigger/faster thing. Bear in mind that the biggest impact usually comes from guys making the jump from year one to year two.

In the 2016 draft we got Kenny Clark (6'3", 315). Big enough for you ?

Round 2 gets the Packers Spriggs , most athletic tackle in the draft.

Consider the round 3 pick, Kyler Fackrell (6'5", 245), tall and fast enough for you ?

Blake Martinez (round 4), making the calls on the D as a rookie - smart enough for you ? (yeah, I know that isn't size or speed).

How about Dean lowry (6'6", 296). Tall enough for you ?

Trevor Davis - fast enough for you ? By now, we are at the tail end of round 5, where you might not expect much.

The point is, the Packers already have some rookies with great size, athleticism, height, speed, smarts, on the roster. They should all be getting better in 2017, and that is likely to make more difference than anyone the Packers draft this year.

Do the Packers need help at CB and OLB, yes, it looks like they do, but every team in the NFL has needs to fill. Let's not pretend the Packers have not drafted their share of big, athletic, tall, fast, smart guys. The Jimmy Johnson quote has had its box thoroughly ticked, in 2016.

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Point-Packer's picture

February 13, 2017 at 05:05 pm

Saw that PFF had Hayward ranked #39 in its top 101 of 2016. Opposing QBs had an eye popping 53.4 QB rating when throwing his way. Would have been nice if Ted had given him the 5 million instead of lighting 3 million on fire by giving James Starks one contract too many.

Speaking of, that's one of my biggest qualms with Ted, hanging on to a player for a season/contract too long. MD Jennings, James Starks, Mike Neal, Sean Richardson, AJ Hawk, dare I say, Julius Peppers, likely do it with Lacy, of whom I guarantee will play less than 10 games if signed.

The Hayward situation turned out to be a disaster for the Pack. No doubt about it. Not saying that if GB had Hayward it would have beaten Atlanta, but would have been nice to see Hayward on Julio over Gunter.

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lou's picture

February 14, 2017 at 10:13 am

I agree on Jennings, he didn't even pass the eye test, he was way too small, he made Banjo look bulky, also agree with Neal (looked more physical than he played), and Richardson although he had more talent but the neck problems were a huge red flag. Don't agree with Stark's for 2016, he had his best year in 2015 and had FA feelers from the Pat's, but agree going forward he is done in Green Bay. Also agree on Hawk, "intangibles" are great but when you are holding on for life tackling 4-5 yards down field it's time to go. Peppers was worth every Penny for 3 years, thank him and move on. In reference to Hayward, paying him less and using him in the nickel would have been a good call but the money never fit. If you go back to the Seattle debacle, as a corner Baldwin flew by him for multiple big games on 3rd downs much like elite receivers blew by Gunter. You have some really good points in your post.

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Razor's picture

February 14, 2017 at 08:43 am

If the game plan - draft & develop - doesn't work consistently year after year then your overall capability declines and it is very difficult to "catch up".

To make matters worse, it seems to me that Ted is always looking for those players that no one else found. Maybe there is a reason they weren't found.

Further, the idea of drafting a lineman and making him a linebacker or a basketball player and making him a cornerback seems to be a stretch.

And giving most players three years to prove that they are not going to make it - lots of time and effort without results.

Consistency is usually good, but when you do the same things over and over and expect different results, that's crazy.

One last thing. Somehow it doesn't seem that Green Bay has the competitive intensity that other teams have. Not sure if that is more Mike or Ted. So when you bring in a free agent they might help that or they might just relax a bit and go with the flow.

One more last thing. I don't understand why Mark Murphy is ok with the status quo. He played, he knows what it takes and I can't believe he is seeing that.

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ton41512's picture

February 14, 2017 at 09:28 am

I agree with mostly what's been said. Ted Thompson will do business as he has always done. Maybe signa few second tier FA especially those that are released without draft pick as a penalty.

My biggest complaint is that when the injuries hit he didn't supplement the roster with healthy bodies. Instead promoting inexperienced players and hope they can hold up. Ron wolf did it in 1996 when Robert Brooks went down and Antonio Freeman had a broken arm, he signed Andre Rison who scored the first TD in Super Bowl 31.

We do need more experience and injury replacements during that season that aren't practice squad rookies. But that won't happen during Ted's watch.

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dobber's picture

February 14, 2017 at 09:47 am

Freeman was already back and playing when Rison was signed.

Who was available on the street that was the caliber of an Andre Rison who would have fixed the Packers problems this season?

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