The Turning Point in the Ted Thompson Era

[Gunakor]

I dunno, Gun. It's not a great sign for the organization when the HC fires a coordinaotr. Not to say it can't work. But it doesn't bestow glory on Ted, either.

These guys seem to me a kind of package deal. If MM flops, I see TT going, too.

But I don't think MM will flop.

You're probably right. My point was more that if TT had admitted failure, MM would be out of a job too. The fact that MM is still going to be the head coach next year tells me that TT still believes he did his part right, and he is confident that MM, given a second chance, will get the job done. In that light, I don't see any admission of failure on TT's part.

[Fritz]

Yeah, that's reasonable. But it's a chink in the armor.

Definitely next year will be huge in the future of MM and TT.

But as I said, I think it will turn out well.

I just don't know how realistic it is to think that Suggs, Haynesworth, or Peppers will actually be available.

[retailguy]

Yeah, that's reasonable. But it's a chink in the armor.

Definitely next year will be huge in the future of MM and TT.

But as I said, I think it will turn out well.

I just don't know how realistic it is to think that Suggs, Haynesworth, or Peppers will actually be available.

I don't think any of them hit the open market. But, even if they did, do you really think that Ted will play in that blockbuster market? I see more Brandon Chillar's of the world, or Ryan Pickett's and that would be good enough for me.

I do not believe that Ted will ever "swing for the fences". It just isn't in his DNA.

If Green Bay ever wins a Super Bowl on his watch, I do not believe that we, or the pundits, will be talking about some "huge FA signing" (ala Reggie White). We'll be surely talking about how he "grew" the team via the draft, and the "several" steals he got by trading down. ... Or something like that. :P

[Gunakor]

Yeah, that's reasonable. But it's a chink in the armor.

Definitely next year will be huge in the future of MM and TT.

But as I said, I think it will turn out well.

I just don't know how realistic it is to think that Suggs, Haynesworth, or Peppers will actually be available.

I don't think any of them hit the open market. But, even if they did, do you really think that Ted will play in that blockbuster market? I see more Brandon Chillar's of the world, or Ryan Pickett's and that would be good enough for me.

I do not believe that Ted will ever "swing for the fences". It just isn't in his DNA.

If Green Bay ever wins a Super Bowl on his watch, I do not believe that we, or the pundits, will be talking about some "huge FA signing" (ala Reggie White). We'll be surely talking about how he "grew" the team via the draft, and the "several" steals he got by trading down. ... Or something like that. :P

You really don't think TT would take a huge risk, even if the potential reward was just as huge? We haven't seen a FA like Haynesworth hit the market during TT's time here, so it's hard to say whether or not he'll jump into the fray. Especially considering how badly we need an elite DT right now. And figuring that the top of the draft is better stocked with DE's than DT's, it might just make as much sense to TT as it does to me to draft one of those DE's and sign Haynesworth to a blockbuster deal. Our biggest weakness would become our biggest strength in one offseason's time, and our 2 new additions on the line would be locked up for 5+ years. I suppose it does depend on what scheme the new DC brings to Green Bay, but a Kampman/Pickett/Haynesworth/top 10 draft pick line in a 4-3 scheme would be well worth whatever money it demands IMO.

[retailguy]

You really don't think TT would take a huge risk, even if the potential reward was just as huge? We haven't seen a FA like Haynesworth hit the market during TT's time here, so it's hard to say whether or not he'll jump into the fray. Especially considering how badly we need an elite DT right now. And figuring that the top of the draft is better stocked with DE's than DT's, it might just make as much sense to TT as it does to me to draft one of those DE's and sign Haynesworth to a blockbuster deal. Our biggest weakness would become our biggest strength in one offseason's time, and our 2 new additions on the line would be locked up for 5+ years. I suppose it does depend on what scheme the new DC brings to Green Bay, but a Kampman/Pickett/Haynesworth/top 10 draft pick line would be well worth whatever money it demands IMO.

I really don't think that Ted takes that "huge" risk.

And, incidentally, I don't disagree with the rest of your post. I just don't think Ted pulls the trigger. I'd love it if I got proved wrong on this one, but I don't believe any of those guys will hit the market. Maybe never again. But I doubt this year.

[denverYooper]

Yeah, that's reasonable. But it's a chink in the armor.

Definitely next year will be huge in the future of MM and TT.

But as I said, I think it will turn out well.

I just don't know how realistic it is to think that Suggs, Haynesworth, or Peppers will actually be available.

I don't think any of them hit the open market. But, even if they did, do you really think that Ted will play in that blockbuster market? I see more Brandon Chillar's of the world, or Ryan Pickett's and that would be good enough for me.

I do not believe that Ted will ever "swing for the fences". It just isn't in his DNA.

If Green Bay ever wins a Super Bowl on his watch, I do not believe that we, or the pundits, will be talking about some "huge FA signing" (ala Reggie White). We'll be surely talking about how he "grew" the team via the draft, and the "several" steals he got by trading down. ... Or something like that. :P

If they hang on and win a SB with Woodson still on the team and playing like he has this year, an argument might be made that Woodson was a big FA acquisition.

[gbgary]

turning point...i think this year with the all-TT-team is/was the turning point. i think '07 was a fluke. everything worked...except that last play. next season we have another soft schedule and a new defense...so who knows. i'm usually an optimistic guy, but not now. i'll sit with my chin in my hand, elbow on the table and wait.

[retailguy]

If they hang on and win a SB with Woodson still on the team and playing like he has this year, an argument might be made that Woodson was a big FA acquisition.

Understand the point that you're making and I'll be the first to agree that the Woodson signing has been great and Ted gets the credit.

But seriously, you cannot be comparing Charles Woodson to Reggie White?

I just think that's a huge difference.

[AV David]

Paco:

I feel "dirty", but I agree with you.

[Pacopete4]

turning point...i think this year with the all-TT-team is/was the turning point. i think '07 was a fluke. everything worked...except that last play. next season we have another soft schedule and a new defense...so who knows. i'm usually an optimistic guy, but not now. i'll sit with my chin in my hand, elbow on the table and wait.

I think 07' was a fluke as well. Does anyone really see us like the teams that win every yr? (pats, colts, chargers, and so on)? Cuz I just don't and I'm really not sure how close we are either and now rehauling the staff? Major steps backwards..

[retailguy]

i think '07 was a fluke.

Too soon to proclaim this, I think, but there are moments where I am right there with you...

Except my head is in my hands and you can hear whimpering if you listen closely.

[Gunakor]

turning point...i think this year with the all-TT-team is/was the turning point. i think '07 was a fluke. everything worked...except that last play. next season we have another soft schedule and a new defense...so who knows. i'm usually an optimistic guy, but not now. i'll sit with my chin in my hand, elbow on the table and wait.

I think 07' was a fluke as well. Does anyone really see us like the teams that win every yr? (pats, colts, chargers, and so on)? Cuz I just don't and I'm really not sure how close we are either and now rehauling the staff? Major steps backwards..

Teams that win every year are built in the fashion that TT is building this team. Build your core through the draft, lock up your young playmakers as soon as possible, and use FA responsibly.

I'm not going to proclaim a dynasty here just yet, but I don't see any reason why we won't be regular contenders over the next decade. I agree that 2007 was somewhat of a fluke, but I'd also agree that 2008 was as well. Somewhere in between is a regular championship contender, and that's what I see us becoming in the very near future.

[denverYooper]

If they hang on and win a SB with Woodson still on the team and playing like he has this year, an argument might be made that Woodson was a big FA acquisition.

Understand the point that you're making and I'll be the first to agree that the Woodson signing has been great and Ted gets the credit.

But seriously, you cannot be comparing Charles Woodson to Reggie White?

I just think that's a huge difference.

Not comparing them, they're different players, both very good at what they do (did). Woodson is a lead-by-example guy. White led by example and was more vocal, something this team really needs.

[gbgary]

turning point...i think this year with the all-TT-team is/was the turning point. i think '07 was a fluke. everything worked...except that last play. next season we have another soft schedule and a new defense...so who knows. i'm usually an optimistic guy, but not now. i'll sit with my chin in my hand, elbow on the table and wait.

I think 07' was a fluke as well. Does anyone really see us like the teams that win every yr? (pats, colts, chargers, and so on)? Cuz I just don't and I'm really not sure how close we are either and now rehauling the staff? Major steps backwards..

Teams that win every year are built in the fashion that TT is building this team. Build your core through the draft, lock up your young playmakers as soon as possible, and use FA responsibly.

I'm not going to proclaim a dynasty here just yet, but I don't see any reason why we won't be regular contenders over the next decade. I agree that 2007 was somewhat of a fluke, but I'd also agree that 2008 was as well. Somewhere in between is a regular championship contender, and that's what I see us becoming in the very near future.

so we have 9-7 and the 2010 draft to look forward to.

[RashanGary]

Teams that win every year are built in the fashion that TT is building this team. Build your core through the draft, lock up your young playmakers as soon as possible, and use FA responsibly.

I'm not going to proclaim a dynasty here just yet, but I don't see any reason why we won't be regular contenders over the next decade. I agree that 2007 was somewhat of a fluke, but I'd also agree that 2008 was as well. Somewhere in between is a regular championship contender, and that's what I see us becoming in the very near future.

Agreed. I see this team well on the right track. Let's hope they make some good coaching hires and continue to build this team the right way. Those without patience will forget all about it when the wins pile up. Those of us with vision will get to say I told you so