Yeah, I guess I haven't used DETRACTOR much lately.
As I recall, I coined the term with regard to Packer stuff the off-season after we went 12-4, and Sherman had a career record of something like 52-28 for his career, yet some people were whining. Then what was it, 10-6 next? And the DETRACTORS got larger in number and more irrational in their rants. I think it was at that point that Sherman lost the GM job.
Then we had the injury-ruined 4-12 season, and all the DETRACTORS claimed vindication. Sherman got fired, and the rest is history.
I've probably used the word as much for anti-Thompson people in the early years too, though.
The key has been that even though the detractors got their way, and Sherman got run out of town, the replacements were essentially Sherman-esque. Some people might not believe that about Thompson, who has been cheaper than Sherman with regard to the cap, etc., but my two major requirements for a GM after Sherman were these: Stay the hell away from high price other team free agents AND don't stupidly tear down the team to rebuild. In those two key areas, Thompson has followed the Wolfe/Sherman tradition. As for a coaching successor, I said, get a cerebral coach, rather than some shallow motivation-type, AND don't go out and get some big name big ego big salary coach; Basically pick some sharp unknown, similar to Sherman when he came to Green Bay.
So while DETRACTORS may feel vindicated for hounding Sherman out of town, and having the team bounce back rapidly. I, too, feel vindicated because the success we see now has been done the good way--basically the Shernan way.