Chevelle2
09-21-2009, 10:40 AM
As some of you may know, I have been a staunch supporter of our GM, Ted Thompson. I have felt he is a very good drafter, and is apt when signing free agents who, although do not break the bank, are nonetheless productive.
Over the last two weeks, it is no secret our team has not played as well as we had expected. After a long discussion with a good friend of mine, I have come to the conclusion that I may in fact jump on the Fire TT bandwagon.
I am going to state my thoughts, and I would like to hear input on whether I am completely delusional, entirely correct, or somewhere in between.
Drafting
Depth
Many people, including myself, point to TT's ability to draft young, versatile players with good attitudes who provide "depth." On the surface, some of these players look good, however, when they get on the field they, to put it bluntly, suck. Aaron Rouse immediately comes to mind as a prime example. It is almost as if there is a false belief amongst fans that if a player is young and athletic, he provides "depth"
Oline
The refusal or straight up inability to draft linemen on either side of the ball. I am not going to go through each draft and say "Oh TT should have taken X instead of Y," but it seems he is more enamored by the D3 school lineman who gets good grades than the top flight olineman who has committed some crimes and has a mean streak in him. In fact, I remember hearing that Tony Moll was not even expecting to be drafted, let alone so high.
Dline
On the other side of the ball, BJ Raji falling to 9 was a gift, Jenkins and Kampman were Sherman's boys, Jolly was a 6th rounder (I guess we will give that to TT) and I have heard little about Jarius Wynn since we drafted him. We all know what happened to Harrell, and that is more on TT than Harrell. Everyone knew he was a risk
Receivers and other skill position
TT has done a great job IMO of drafting Wide Receivers. I think we can all agree on that. But what good are these receivers if Rodgers has 0 time to get them the ball? That said, how good is Rodgers if he is running for his life half the game, and on his back the other half?
Free Agency
Inactivity
Here lies my main beef with TT. I have never been an advocate of signing top dollar guys, you're Haynesworths, Hutchinson, Clements etc. But I fail to see the disadvantage in signing mid level free agents, such as a Jacob Bell, Justin Smiley, David Stewart etc. Now, Ill be honest I have no idea how the 3 guys I just named are even doing in the NFL, but the point I am trying to make is there seems to be a complete DISREGARD of the most important part of the football team. He does not even show INTEREST most of the time, in improving the line guys. Signing a nickle corner here, or signing a 3rd receiver there, can go a long way in improving the state of your football team.
Impersonal
On the rare occasion we have shown interest in a FA, we have heard similar reports: That the FA decided to move on because TT did showed limited interest (Chris Canty said TT never picked up his phone, I believe) and Moss said TT was cold towards him. Further, with regards to the Favre fiasco (in which I sided with TT/Rodgers) TT did not exactly come out smelling like a rose, either.
I have to go to class so I'll end it here. I think TT has done dome good things, I like many of the players we have on this team, and I agree with his decision to go with Rodgers in the Summer of 08. But should we struggle @stl, and yo-yo our way throughout the season, I think I will be hopping on the Fire TT Bandwagon.
Your thoughts are appreciated. [/i]
Over the last two weeks, it is no secret our team has not played as well as we had expected. After a long discussion with a good friend of mine, I have come to the conclusion that I may in fact jump on the Fire TT bandwagon.
I am going to state my thoughts, and I would like to hear input on whether I am completely delusional, entirely correct, or somewhere in between.
Drafting
Depth
Many people, including myself, point to TT's ability to draft young, versatile players with good attitudes who provide "depth." On the surface, some of these players look good, however, when they get on the field they, to put it bluntly, suck. Aaron Rouse immediately comes to mind as a prime example. It is almost as if there is a false belief amongst fans that if a player is young and athletic, he provides "depth"
Oline
The refusal or straight up inability to draft linemen on either side of the ball. I am not going to go through each draft and say "Oh TT should have taken X instead of Y," but it seems he is more enamored by the D3 school lineman who gets good grades than the top flight olineman who has committed some crimes and has a mean streak in him. In fact, I remember hearing that Tony Moll was not even expecting to be drafted, let alone so high.
Dline
On the other side of the ball, BJ Raji falling to 9 was a gift, Jenkins and Kampman were Sherman's boys, Jolly was a 6th rounder (I guess we will give that to TT) and I have heard little about Jarius Wynn since we drafted him. We all know what happened to Harrell, and that is more on TT than Harrell. Everyone knew he was a risk
Receivers and other skill position
TT has done a great job IMO of drafting Wide Receivers. I think we can all agree on that. But what good are these receivers if Rodgers has 0 time to get them the ball? That said, how good is Rodgers if he is running for his life half the game, and on his back the other half?
Free Agency
Inactivity
Here lies my main beef with TT. I have never been an advocate of signing top dollar guys, you're Haynesworths, Hutchinson, Clements etc. But I fail to see the disadvantage in signing mid level free agents, such as a Jacob Bell, Justin Smiley, David Stewart etc. Now, Ill be honest I have no idea how the 3 guys I just named are even doing in the NFL, but the point I am trying to make is there seems to be a complete DISREGARD of the most important part of the football team. He does not even show INTEREST most of the time, in improving the line guys. Signing a nickle corner here, or signing a 3rd receiver there, can go a long way in improving the state of your football team.
Impersonal
On the rare occasion we have shown interest in a FA, we have heard similar reports: That the FA decided to move on because TT did showed limited interest (Chris Canty said TT never picked up his phone, I believe) and Moss said TT was cold towards him. Further, with regards to the Favre fiasco (in which I sided with TT/Rodgers) TT did not exactly come out smelling like a rose, either.
I have to go to class so I'll end it here. I think TT has done dome good things, I like many of the players we have on this team, and I agree with his decision to go with Rodgers in the Summer of 08. But should we struggle @stl, and yo-yo our way throughout the season, I think I will be hopping on the Fire TT Bandwagon.
Your thoughts are appreciated. [/i]