Thompson's Ego

[BallHawk]

You all roll your eyes, but TT barely has a winning record, and he has yet to go without a hall-of-fame quarterback. We'll see how successful his teams are with "A-Rod" at the helm.

Ted barely has a winning record because he had to inherit the team in 2005 that Sherman put in salary cap hell.

[Bossman641]

Out of curiosity, when did you start to think Ted was an egomaniac. He never grandstands, never gloats, and has never demanded credit for any accomplishment the Packers have made.

So why do you think that he is full of himself?

I didn't say he was full of himself. But I do think that he's made a mistake and it's that ego that won't let him change things.

YOU think. He doesn't. So because he doesn't agree with your viewpoints he is egotistical.

That's right, it's what I think (I didn't bold that, you did).

Yea I understand. You think TT has an ego because he has moved on from Favre. Every situation from the past 3 years shows that TT has anything but an ego (staying out of the spotlight, not hogging the credit for the turnaround). You want to base your opinion that he has an ego because you disagree with him. What a fair way to judge a person. Because he/she disagrees with what you want he/she is an egomaniac.

[HarveyWallbangers]

For an NFL GM, I've always felt Thompson has very little ego. Sure, he has ideas about what he wants in a player or coach, but that's hardly ego driven. I have a hard time understanding people that say otherwise. That's the least of his problems. I think Favre has an ego, and there's nothing wrong with that. Most great QBs do.

[Spaulding]

Here's a former player that each year had to scrap for a roster spot (what ego is there in that), doesn't seek the lime light (again suggests it's not an ego thing) and IMO is just steadfast in how he's learned/believed a GM should do things.

He decides on a value for a player (whether this is a democracy within the organization or not I'm not sure but from what I gather he does solicit the input of others) and sticks to it. He doesn't overbid and is overall quite conservative in his approach.

In summary the consumate poker player and a fine GM in my eyes. The one knock is that's not a charismatic or polished public speaker. Who the hell cares.

Is it EGO you think or ego, as in let go of my ego? Isn't an ego really a fancy word for waffle? If you follow that, then isn't it really Favre with the EGO and not Thompson? And seriously, what player feels ENTITLED to play GM?

God Bless Favre (I won't see a greater Packer likely in my lifetime) but he's paid to play QB and not GM.

[BallHawk]

Agreed, Bojangles. Good post.

[jramsey495]

great thread. i've wondered where people get the idea that ted has a huge ego because i don't think he's done much to show that he has one, other than being quiet. sometimes quiet people are viewed suspiciously and come off like their arrogant.

that being said, i'm sure he has a healthy ego. you couldn't do his job without one. but if he really thinks we're better off in the long run by cutting ties with Favre, he's showing a huge set of stones right now by towing the line. if they did/do bring favre back, can you even imagine next year's off-season?

[PackerBlues]

Doesn't really matter if Ted has an ego or not. He is still a dousche bag!

[cheesner]

Is it EGO you think or ego, as in let go of my ego? Isn't an ego really a fancy word for waffle? If you follow that, then isn't it really Favre with the EGO and not Thompson? And seriously, what player feels ENTITLED to play GM?

Those who think TT has a big ego, here is what a big ego actually looks like:


ego

Keep in mind, this is his website. He wrote this or directed someone to do it.

TT has to be one of the more non-egocentric GMs in the NFL. He appears very uncomfortable in any public setting. I don't know that I have ever heard him say anything taking credit for himself. He defers all success to the coaches, scouts or players.

[Spaulding]

Thanks Ballhawk, dead on Cheesner - Jones is a GM poster child for ego. As for TT's approach as GM, not really exciting, in fact at times downright boring but I'm not one to argue with the results.

Sure he has his knocks:

- screwed the pooch year one on thinking O'Dwyer and Klemm could replace Wahle and Rivera

- jury is still out on his three first round picks (Rodgers = Unknown, Hawk = Solid but not spectacular, Harrell = Injured/Out of shape) but most of his other picks outside of Cory Rodgers have been mostly excellent

- needs to join Toastmasters

But net is that he has to be given some credit for restocking the roster with great young talent, selecting a no-nonsense up and coming coach and generating a team chemistry we haven't seen in a long time. Flat out he'd added not just good atheletes but football players first. Guys that live/breathe/eat/shit this stuff.

Whether this whole Favre fiasco backfires or proves him correct, I have no idea but I do like the way he handles himself and his calm and collectedness under the worst kind of duress a GM has seen since Bilicheat booted Kosar from the Browns.

[SkinBasket]

Doesn't really matter if Ted has an ego or not. He is still a dousche bag!

Douche bags think you're a douche bag for not being able to spell douche.

[packinpatland]

Mick Hager column: Thompson showed weakness as leader
By Mick Hager • July 28, 2008

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/GPG0703/807280547/1247/GPG03

Mr. Thompson, I've been watching how you've handled the "Favre Situation" over the past few weeks, and I want to share some unsolicited advice with you.

Let me be clear, Mr. Thompson, I am a not a "wild and crazy" Packers fan like most here tend to be. I grew up in Green Bay, have respect for the team and its history and am proud to call this place home. Furthermore, I am not taking sides here, whatever the outcome is, it's fine with me.

From a leadership perspective, I was extremely disappointed that you decided to speak out when you did and even more disappointed in some of the things you said. First of all your timing was way off. You need only look to Vince Lombardi for advice on this one.

The greatest man to coach this game would probably have said this to reporters, "I haven't talked to Brett (Favre) and more importantly we haven't squared this thing up yet, so get the *&%$ out of here with your questions until we do."

The point here is: Vince knew when to talk to reporters and when to keep quiet in order to maintain the integrity of a situation.

It would have been far better if you had maintained that you wouldn't disclose anything until you "squared it up" with Brett. People may not have liked your answer, but they certainly would've had no doubt about your respect for him and the situation.

Secondly, you didn't do the Packers any favors by sharing how troubled you were and how difficult the situation was — anybody following it probably knew that. Perhaps, you were trying to garner sympathy, but given the circumstances you inadvertently showed that you're not a strong leader. Effective leaders don't show such weakness in the face of adversity, they show strength, genuine concern, humility and resolve. The measure of a leader isn't found in the good times but during the worst possible situations.

Finally, Mr. Thompson you have my respect for the difficult challenges you face. You're dealing with fans whose passion and love for the Packers organization and the game is deeply rooted and whose emotions run very high.

— Mick Hager is a business consultant, author, trainer and professional speaker who has helped more than 200 organizations in the past 20 years improve productivity through effective leadership. Download free resources at www.mickhager.com.

[boiga]

It would have been far better if you had maintained that you wouldn't disclose anything until you "squared it up" with Brett. People may not have liked your answer, but they certainly would've had no doubt about your respect for him and the situation.

I don't get it. Brett call's him a liar, shattered, and panicked about keeping his job, but Ted's not supposed to disclose anything without "squaring up" with brett? That's a rather ugly double standard.

[PackerBlues]

[quote="mrbojangles"]

But net is that he has to be given some credit for restocking the roster with great young talent, selecting a no-nonsense up and coming coach and generating a team chemistry we haven't seen in a long time. Flat out he'd added not just good atheletes but football players first. Guys that live/breathe/eat/shit this stuff.
quote]

Great........but how many pro bowlers has Thompson brought to the team?

Just wondering, cause I was thinking that just because a guy is left on the roster at the start of the season, it does not neccesarily make the guy a great player. Hell, I'm sure that Harrell lives/breathes/eats/shits football, but he had injuries before he was drafted and still has not panned out.

I also have to question giving that meathead Poppinga a new contract. Why? just to keep him from cryin like a little bitch about the drafting of Chillar? What the hell ever happened to competition being a good thing?

But then Thompson offers a great player that the team actually needs (Grant) an insulting shit contract.

[BallHawk]

What is Hager's point?

[Bossman641]

Mick Hager column: Thompson showed weakness as leader
By Mick Hager • July 28, 2008

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/GPG0703/807280547/1247/GPG03

Mr. Thompson, I've been watching how you've handled the "Favre Situation" over the past few weeks, and I want to share some unsolicited advice with you.

Let me be clear, Mr. Thompson, I am a not a "wild and crazy" Packers fan like most here tend to be. I grew up in Green Bay, have respect for the team and its history and am proud to call this place home. Furthermore, I am not taking sides here, whatever the outcome is, it's fine with me.

From a leadership perspective, I was extremely disappointed that you decided to speak out when you did and even more disappointed in some of the things you said. First of all your timing was way off. You need only look to Vince Lombardi for advice on this one.

The greatest man to coach this game would probably have said this to reporters, "I haven't talked to Brett (Favre) and more importantly we haven't squared this thing up yet, so get the *&%$ out of here with your questions until we do."

The point here is: Vince knew when to talk to reporters and when to keep quiet in order to maintain the integrity of a situation.

It would have been far better if you had maintained that you wouldn't disclose anything until you "squared it up" with Brett. People may not have liked your answer, but they certainly would've had no doubt about your respect for him and the situation.

Secondly, you didn't do the Packers any favors by sharing how troubled you were and how difficult the situation was — anybody following it probably knew that. Perhaps, you were trying to garner sympathy, but given the circumstances you inadvertently showed that you're not a strong leader. Effective leaders don't show such weakness in the face of adversity, they show strength, genuine concern, humility and resolve. The measure of a leader isn't found in the good times but during the worst possible situations.

Finally, Mr. Thompson you have my respect for the difficult challenges you face. You're dealing with fans whose passion and love for the Packers organization and the game is deeply rooted and whose emotions run very high.

— Mick Hager is a business consultant, author, trainer and professional speaker who has helped more than 200 organizations in the past 20 years improve productivity through effective leadership. Download free resources at www.mickhager.com.

It was a little difficult for TT and Co. to remain quiet when Brett and his family were spreading rumors all over the place. Not only rumors, but flat out lies. At some point, the organization has to respond. You can't just sit there and continue to allow the other side to spread rumors. The Packers did what they should have: put out a press release detailing the timeline of everything that was said and done. They got their message without bringing in all the emotional bullshit Favre camp has spread.

I don't get how people can badmouth the organization. They've handled this with nothing but class. You can be angry with their decision, but when you look at what side actually handled this correctly there is no question.

Maybe this guy is a business consultant, but the NFL doesn't really work like a real business. If an employee acted like Favre had in any other business, this wouldn't even be an issue. He would have been gone long ago.