Lare said:
OK, as long as everybody else is getting a tired arm patting TT on the back, I'll give an opposing viewpoint.
IMO, most of TT's problems he created himself.
He's the one who fiddled around and didn't sign Franks until Training Camp last year (for the same money Franks was asking for all along).
He's the one who wasted millions of dollars signing Sherman to an extension and then firing him.
He's the one who pissed off Bates by stringing him along until the very end of the HC search. Handled differently he may still be our DC (either way we're still paying him).
He's the one who hasn't addressed the OL problems in 2 years.
He's the one who almost had Favre retire because of his inaction in rebuilding the team.
He's the one who hasn't added a viable starting RB or WR (or any offensive talent for that matter) in the last 2 years, in spite of having $35 million in cap dollars to work with this year.
He's the one who's brought in such stellar free agent talent as Little, Freeman, O'Dwyer, Thompson, Klemm & Franz as well as re-signing great players such as Martin, Ruegamer, Truluck, Navies, Davenport, O'Sullivan & Barry. (Jury's still out on Pickett & Manuel even though it's disconcerting to see Pickett make it onto PFT's All Turd Team.)
He's the one who drafted only one starter last year (amazing, considering the crappy Sherman talent on the roster).
He's the one who caved in to Walker's trade demands.
He's the one who re-signed Driver to an extension with 2 years remaining on his contract, even though he told everyone else he doesn't do that.
He's the one who created the Harris discontent situation by signing an often-injued Woodson to the inflated contract he did.
He's the one who let Longwell walk, though then offering another kicker about the same much money.
Granted, some of these decisions were made based on extenuating circumstances at the time. But regardless, I don't think he's dealing with as many Sherman-created problems at this point as many people seem to believe.
Remember, the one word he mentioned at his first press conference was "accountability".
Lare, this is an amazingly accurate post! Hats off to you.
I think the point that its TT's job to plan for these situations ahead of time. To many times we get put in a bad spot and the fans give TT a free pass. They pass the problems off on Sherman, unfairly. The majority of your concerns could have been addressed by TT.
1. He's the one who fiddled around and didn't sign Franks until Training Camp last year (for the same money Franks was asking for all along).
TT's Fault!
2. He's the one who wasted millions of dollars signing Sherman to an extension and then firing him.
Now this irks me and I know I will be bombarded by the Anti-Sherman crowd but how can you commit to a guy who has been a winner the majority of his Career and then fire him after one 4-12 season that was caused by a plethora of injuries. It's funny that people let Brett slide because of the injured supporting cast but then they blame Sherman. Not only did he cut bait to soon in my opinion, but he replaced him with a virtual nobody.
TT's Fault!
3. He's the one who pissed off Bates by stringing him along until the very end of the HC search. Handled differently he may still be our DC (either way we're still paying him).
Right on again, Man how I wish Bates would have been given the chance to be the Head Coach. Hell, I wish he was still the DC.
TT's Fault
4. He's the one who hasn't addressed the OL problems in 2 years.
The worst and most boneheaded one of them all. I mean was this is MASTER PLAN for replacing Wahle and Rivera? Colledge and a bunch of late round rookies? Combine this with his "Rebuilding" of the WR's at the same time and I am dumbfounded? It doesn't take a genuis to know that you can't rebuild these to spots at the same time.
TT's Fault
5. He's the one who almost had Favre retire because of his inaction in rebuilding the team.
Agreed again, it's sad when our QB has to force TT's hand to make a team competitive. Shouldn't he want to do that anyways? Did he think Little, O'Dwyer, Thompson, etc were going to make this team competitive or did he bring in a bunch of bargain guys hoping he could strike gold. If he does, Great Job Ted, but, if not he must be held ACCOUNTABLE!
TT's Fault!
6. He's the one who hasn't added a viable starting RB or WR (or any offensive talent for that matter) in the last 2 years, in spite of having $35 million in cap dollars to work with this year.
Again, tight Teddy won't open up the pocketbook.
TT's Fault!
7. He's the one who's brought in such stellar free agent talent as Little, Freeman, O'Dwyer, Thompson, Klemm & Franz as well as re-signing great players such as Martin, Ruegamer, Truluck, Navies, Davenport, O'Sullivan & Barry.
Yeah, this is what we did with the money we could have used to re-sign Wahle last year. On the positive side at least he re-signed the potential all-pro David Martin. That's 500,00 or so we could have gave to Wahle. Take that 500,000 and multiply it by the numbers of stiff TT has paid and we could have resigned Wahle and probably got Bart Starr, and ol 66, to come back and play.
TT's Fault
8. He's the one who drafted only one starter last year (amazing, considering the crappy Sherman talent on the roster).
Yeah we all love Collins but the other guys are a long way from amounting to anything. Great point on Sherman as well.
To early to tell on this one
9. He's the one who caved in to Walker's trade demands.
COMPLETELY CAVED! When this whole WAlker messstarted everyone was saying "Let Him Sit" and then TT gives him away and everyone's like "Great Job TT!" Most of the fans flipped right along with Teddy. Now they will be baffled as to why Al Harris is considering holding out. Gee.....let me think
TT's Fault
10. He's the one who re-signed Driver to an extension with 2 years remaining on his contract, even though he told everyone else he doesn't do that.
Hey, at least he spent some money on a quality guy. To bad he showed how much of a flip-flopper he is
TT's Fault
11. He's the one who created the Harris discontent situation by signing an often-injued Woodson to the inflated contract he did.
Thats actually 2 problems in one. Let's sign a guy who's often injured to a huge contract, well the guy on the other side who plays 16 games a year is not rewarded. I think All should show up and play for his contract but it's sad that Woodson was given so much money. I bett TT never thought of that, because that would take forsight!
TT's Fault!
12. He's the one who let Longwell walk, though then offering another kicker about the same much money.
Yeah but now we have Cundiff...........arghhhhh
TT's Fault!
I don't hate TT, I really don't, I like alot of things he has done, but, the things that he has failed to do seem to me like rookie mistakes.