Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
Members
Current visitors
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Ted Thompson's Best Move as Packers GM
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="TJV" data-source="post: 363785" data-attributes="member: 4300"><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">With 20/20 hindsight I list Thompson's best moves in this order:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">1. Drafting Rodgers. I understand the rationale for saying so, but it wasn't a "gimmie" for all those GMs who foolishly passed on him. Also, it was the beginning of moving beyond Favre. Remember Thompson had been lobbied heavily by Favre to keep Wahle and Rivera right after he took the job and Favre didn't commit to playing until just before the draft. It took guts for Thompson to 'buck the legend' with the first pick in his first draft. He had to know that pick would **** off the legend and he did it anyway, for the long-term benefit of the Packers. In so doing he immediately displayed the stark contrast his tenure provides compared to the previous GM. </span></p><p> </p><p>2. Hiring McCarthy as head coach. The reason this is second on my list is because 1) Finding a future HOF QB is such a huge accomplishment and 2) Remember who else Thompson interviewed for the job? Sean Payton. I heard an interview with Payton in which he said he desperately wanted the Green Bay job and thought he had a good shot at it after the interview. So I have this number two because I think Payton could have led the Packers to the title, too. However, an argument can be made that this was his best move because McCarthy had a huge role in preparing Rodgers to be the QB he is today. IMO the word "genius" is thrown around too much today, but in the narrow context of NFL football there's a credible argument McCarthy is an offensive football genius. </p><p> </p><p><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The combination of moves 1 and 2 resulted in the Packers replacing a HOF QB with a (IMO) a HOF QB. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">3a. IMO trading up for Matthews was Thompson's boldest move. He traded what for him would have been the heart of his draft - picks 41, 73, and 83 - a second and two third rounders (and got a 5th rounder back) for one player. It signaled to me that Thompson thought the Packers had arrived - he could "gamble" because he had already restored the depth and talent of the roster.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">3b. Acquiring Woodson. This is "b" only because there was only one other team in the bidding and that team wanted Woodson to play safety. Thompson, his personnel staff, and the coaching staff were smart enough to know Woodson could still excel at CB and that he wouldn't be a distraction in the locker room. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">So far listed is the hiring of a great head coach and the acquisition of what I consider three future HOFers (if Rodgers and Matthews continue their current production over at least average-length careers). Woodson is already in IMO. The reason Rodgers gets listed first is for reasons already mentioned and because QB is far and away the most important position in the NFL. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">4. Not listed but for me the next accomplishment is Thompson's general ability to evaluate talent. A point lost sometimes is when he took over the job, he did not bring in a single individual into the front office. As far as I know he didn't add a single scout. Consider how he's done vs. his predecessor in light of this. (Again, no disrespect to Sherman who never trained as a GM and should never have been given that job.) The first three Thompson draft picks were a brilliant foreshadowing of what was to come. Rodgers of course and then Nick Collins. Thompson had his staff "school" Collins at the chalkboard to be sure he could learn an NFL playbook (that was the knock on him). And Terrence Murphy was his third pick. I was very impressed with Murphy before his career-ending injury. IMO he was the first of great to very good WRs Thompson has acquired. And of course it's not only in the draft but after the draft as Thompson and his staff have struck gold with players like Tramon Williams and Shields. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">When he arrived Thompson had a plan to build a team which could compete year after year while being fiscally responsible. In spite of some hate-filled vitriol directed at him by "Packers" fans, he has remained civil and disciplined to a fault, with a laser beam like focus. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Great topic FrankRizzo and I too liked the sense of humor displayed with the last choice - nobody's perfect. </span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TJV, post: 363785, member: 4300"] [FONT=Verdana]With 20/20 hindsight I list Thompson's best moves in this order:[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]1. Drafting Rodgers. I understand the rationale for saying so, but it wasn't a "gimmie" for all those GMs who foolishly passed on him. Also, it was the beginning of moving beyond Favre. Remember Thompson had been lobbied heavily by Favre to keep Wahle and Rivera right after he took the job and Favre didn't commit to playing until just before the draft. It took guts for Thompson to 'buck the legend' with the first pick in his first draft. He had to know that pick would **** off the legend and he did it anyway, for the long-term benefit of the Packers. In so doing he immediately displayed the stark contrast his tenure provides compared to the previous GM. [/FONT] 2. Hiring McCarthy as head coach. The reason this is second on my list is because 1) Finding a future HOF QB is such a huge accomplishment and 2) Remember who else Thompson interviewed for the job? Sean Payton. I heard an interview with Payton in which he said he desperately wanted the Green Bay job and thought he had a good shot at it after the interview. So I have this number two because I think Payton could have led the Packers to the title, too. However, an argument can be made that this was his best move because McCarthy had a huge role in preparing Rodgers to be the QB he is today. IMO the word "genius" is thrown around too much today, but in the narrow context of NFL football there's a credible argument McCarthy is an offensive football genius. [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The combination of moves 1 and 2 resulted in the Packers replacing a HOF QB with a (IMO) a HOF QB. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]3a. IMO trading up for Matthews was Thompson's boldest move. He traded what for him would have been the heart of his draft - picks 41, 73, and 83 - a second and two third rounders (and got a 5th rounder back) for one player. It signaled to me that Thompson thought the Packers had arrived - he could "gamble" because he had already restored the depth and talent of the roster.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]3b. Acquiring Woodson. This is "b" only because there was only one other team in the bidding and that team wanted Woodson to play safety. Thompson, his personnel staff, and the coaching staff were smart enough to know Woodson could still excel at CB and that he wouldn't be a distraction in the locker room. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]So far listed is the hiring of a great head coach and the acquisition of what I consider three future HOFers (if Rodgers and Matthews continue their current production over at least average-length careers). Woodson is already in IMO. The reason Rodgers gets listed first is for reasons already mentioned and because QB is far and away the most important position in the NFL. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]4. Not listed but for me the next accomplishment is Thompson's general ability to evaluate talent. A point lost sometimes is when he took over the job, he did not bring in a single individual into the front office. As far as I know he didn't add a single scout. Consider how he's done vs. his predecessor in light of this. (Again, no disrespect to Sherman who never trained as a GM and should never have been given that job.) The first three Thompson draft picks were a brilliant foreshadowing of what was to come. Rodgers of course and then Nick Collins. Thompson had his staff "school" Collins at the chalkboard to be sure he could learn an NFL playbook (that was the knock on him). And Terrence Murphy was his third pick. I was very impressed with Murphy before his career-ending injury. IMO he was the first of great to very good WRs Thompson has acquired. And of course it's not only in the draft but after the draft as Thompson and his staff have struck gold with players like Tramon Williams and Shields. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]When he arrived Thompson had a plan to build a team which could compete year after year while being fiscally responsible. In spite of some hate-filled vitriol directed at him by "Packers" fans, he has remained civil and disciplined to a fault, with a laser beam like focus. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Great topic FrankRizzo and I too liked the sense of humor displayed with the last choice - nobody's perfect. [/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Members online
No members online now.
Latest posts
R
2024 draft discussion thread
Latest: rmontro
21 minutes ago
Draft Talk
2024 3rd Rd #91 Ty’Ron Hopper LB
Latest: Thirteen Below
Today at 1:15 AM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Assessing the Draft Class (2024)
Latest: AKCheese
Today at 12:51 AM
Draft Talk
Most hated teams outside of the division
Latest: milani
Today at 12:23 AM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
2024 Round 7, pick 245: Michael Pratt, QB
Latest: Thirteen Below
Today at 12:11 AM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Ted Thompson's Best Move as Packers GM
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top