So how would you rank Thompson's record as the 'only GM conservative to a fault'? If every other GM has been more aggressive since 2005, how have they done, on average, vs. Thompson? How many since 2005 still have their jobs? Where do you put him on the list of best GMs in the NFL currently?
Of course Thompson is responsible for all football operations (directly for hiring McCarthy and indirectly for McCarthy's staff) but since you denigrate his personnel acquisition skills, share with us how he was responsible for the loss at Seattle. Or were the personnel he provided good enough to win that game and go onto the Super Bowl?
TT is a top GM ... at assessing college talent and drafting same. He hit an all-time home run in drafting Aaron Rodgers, which was neither an easy or obvious selection. He has also hit on a number of players, especially in the 2nd round, that contribute mightily to the team's success -- not too mention a few undrafted free agents.
TT has also been excellent at ensuring the team's salary cap is manageable. Letting players like Wells, House, Jennings, etc. go was not easy but it was smart.
TT also hit another great home run in 2006 when he signed C. Woodson, who gave the Defense an identity and big play ability that was sorely lacking.
However, TT's general disdain for acquiring veteran talent from other teams and overpaying/overvaluing certain of his own players has cost the Packers. The easiest examples are Safety in 2013 and Inside Linebacker in 2014 -- there are more. I would also point to the chronic lack of "talent" on special teams (especially coverage/KO returner) even though the primary responsibility for the poor play of that unit has to rest with the coaches, including McCarthy.
I also confess to being one of those "spoiled" Packer fans who does not sufficiently celebrate NFC North Titles as I view the Lions and Vikings as bottom tier franchises (one of which has never been to a Super Bowl and another that has never won one and has not been to one in nearly 40 years) and the Bears at a crossroads due to their disastrous QB situation.
Now don't get me wrong, TT had an awesome 2014. HHCD and Adams were both great choices and R. Rodgers was decent but it was Linsley's play made that draft special. Yet, it was the signing of Peppers (and to a lesser extent Guion) in addition to the play of the rookies that permitted the Packers to advance to the NFC Title Game. The players discussed the leadership/enthusiasm Peppers & Guion brought to a moribund unit, underscoring the lack of such a presence in prior years.
Relying virtually solely on the draft (as TT had done for several years prior to last year and appears to be doing again this year) is foreclosing important sources of adding talent and is one of the key reasons the Packers have advanced to just 1 Super Bowl during TT's 10 years on the job. If we did not have the best QB in the NLF, the MVP in 2011 and 2014, I'd readily agree we should not expect to reach more than 1 Super Bowl.
Question for those who bristle at any negative discussion relating to TT, if the Pack only gets to 1 Super Bowl with Favre and ARod as his QBs, will you continue to consider TT to be unworthy of criticism? And if there is a point that the Pack's failure to reach the big game with ARod at QB that renders TT worthy of criticism can you let the rest of us know when that would begin?
