Gil Brandt's comments on Ted Thompson

[pbmax]

One day I suspect we'll all know exactly how it got to TT going with Aaron Rodgers over a QB that was outstanding in 2007 (Brett Favre).

Because Brett retired. Twice now.

Woodie, its no coincidence that Favre is now in year two of dithering over his future plans and doing so not in March, but May, while missing OTAs and minicamps. He doesn't want to be there. He has said so. He wants to just play in the games, and will stomach training camp. One year out of the last several, he hired a trainer for himself and had an excellent season (2007). The last time he did this full time (Sherman's tenure-don't remember the year) was the core-training we heard about all through training camp, he had a good year. But in each of those years, in addition to the others, he performance tailed off as the season wore on and the weather got worse.

He is old. 40, even for Brett Lorenzo Favre, is old. He no longer has the patience for meetings, the offseason program, QB school, the OTAs, mini-camps or training camps. He also is tired of weekly meetings, reviewing tape of his interceptions, the press and, possibly, the other players in locker room (he has no friends there anymore). He is not now dedicated to his team, he is dedicated to his own cares and is unwilling to subject himself to most of the rigors that his teammates must. Much of this was overlooked earlier (even encouraged by Sherman and the pitch count after the tendonitis episode) when his play was still consistently high. Now, when his play falters because of age and the length of the season, he is doing even less work.

His dedication is waning.

And now his body is breaking down, and Favre is seeking a solution to the pain that will not involve surgery and rehab. He does not respond well to the cold. I would be surprised if anyone close to 40 on this board didn't see Favre in the game in Soldier Field in 2007 and think to himself, "I know that look, its cold and he's miserable". It is incredibly difficult to be a professional football player. It is probably as mentally draining as it is physically. Brett is old and tired of it. But he cannot seem to listen to what his body and brain are trying to tell him.

Brett Favre was replaced by Aaron Rodgers because every piece of evidence available suggested that there was NO WAY that #4 could repeat his 2007 season. What has happened since makes that even more obvious. Time is not with him. It is with #12.

If anyone reposts this with the clapping hands icon, or the wave smileys or Quotes it For Truth, I will reach through you computer screen and hit the ignore button on your forehead. Fair warning

[Joemailman]

One day I suspect we'll all know exactly how it got to TT going with Aaron Rodgers over a QB that was outstanding in 2007 (Brett Favre).

Because Brett retired. Twice now.

Woodie, its no coincidence that Favre is now in year two of dithering over his future plans and doing so not in March, but May, while missing OTAs and minicamps. He doesn't want to be there. He has said so. He wants to just play in the games, and will stomach training camp. One year out of the last several, he hired a trainer for himself and had an excellent season (2007). The last time he did this full time (Sherman's tenure-don't remember the year) was the core-training we heard about all through training camp, he had a good year. But in each of those years, in addition to the others, he performance tailed off as the season wore on and the weather got worse.

He is old. 40, even for Brett Lorenzo Favre, is old. He no longer has the patience for meetings, the offseason program, QB school, the OTAs, mini-camps or training camps. He also is tired of weekly meetings, reviewing tape of his interceptions, the press and, possibly, the other players in locker room (he has no friends there anymore). He is not now dedicated to his team, he is dedicated to his own cares and is unwilling to subject himself to most of the rigors that his teammates must. Much of this was overlooked earlier (even encouraged by Sherman and the pitch count after the tendonitis episode) when his play was still consistently high. Now, when his play falters because of age and the length of the season, he is doing even less work.

His dedication is waning.

And now his body is breaking down, and Favre is seeking a solution to the pain that will not involve surgery and rehab. He does not respond well to the cold. I would be surprised if anyone close to 40 on this board didn't see Favre in the game in Soldier Field in 2007 and think to himself, "I know that look, its cold and he's miserable". It is incredibly difficult to be a professional football player. It is probably as mentally draining as it is physically. Brett is old and tired of it. But he cannot seem to listen to what his body and brain are trying to tell him.

Brett Favre was replaced by Aaron Rodgers because every piece of evidence available suggested that there was NO WAY that #4 could repeat his 2007 season. What has happened since makes that even more obvious. Time is not with him. It is with #12.

If anyone reposts this with the clapping hands icon, or the wave smileys or Quotes it For Truth, I will reach through you computer screen and hit the ignore button on your forehead. Fair warning

[woodbuck27]

One day I suspect we'll all know exactly how it got to TT going with Aaron Rodgers over a QB that was outstanding in 2007 (Brett Favre).

Because Brett retired. Twice now.

Woodie, its no coincidence that Favre is now in year two of dithering over his future plans and doing so not in March, but May, while missing OTAs and minicamps. He doesn't want to be there. He has said so. He wants to just play in the games, and will stomach training camp. One year out of the last several, he hired a trainer for himself and had an excellent season (2007). The last time he did this full time (Sherman's tenure-don't remember the year) was the core-training we heard about all through training camp, he had a good year. But in each of those years, in addition to the others, he performance tailed off as the season wore on and the weather got worse.

He is old. 40, even for Brett Lorenzo Favre, is old. He no longer has the patience for meetings, the offseason program, QB school, the OTAs, mini-camps or training camps. He also is tired of weekly meetings, reviewing tape of his interceptions, the press and, possibly, the other players in locker room (he has no friends there anymore). He is not now dedicated to his team, he is dedicated to his own cares and is unwilling to subject himself to most of the rigors that his teammates must. Much of this was overlooked earlier (even encouraged by Sherman and the pitch count after the tendonitis episode) when his play was still consistently high. Now, when his play falters because of age and the length of the season, he is doing even less work.

His dedication is waning.

And now his body is breaking down, and Favre is seeking a solution to the pain that will not involve surgery and rehab. He does not respond well to the cold. I would be surprised if anyone close to 40 on this board didn't see Favre in the game in Soldier Field in 2007 and think to himself, "I know that look, its cold and he's miserable". It is incredibly difficult to be a professional football player. It is probably as mentally draining as it is physically. Brett is old and tired of it. But he cannot seem to listen to what his body and brain are trying to tell him.

Brett Favre was replaced by Aaron Rodgers because every piece of evidence available suggested that there was NO WAY that #4 could repeat his 2007 season. What has happened since makes that even more obvious. Time is not with him. It is with #12.

If anyone reposts this with the clapping hands icon, or the wave smileys or Quotes it For Truth, I will reach through you computer screen and hit the ignore button on your forehead. Fair warning

How about this:

I respect the accuracy or honesty of the facts as you assess them pbmax. Somehow it really gets to just there. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

I hope I've made it perfectly clear that once the shock was over I for one was relieved that Favre moved away from us. It seems he's still moving. I wish him the best and yes pbmax it won't be easy. What bugs me is those that choose to carve him up like cold turkey rather than just wish him well. He along with Bart Starr are the greatest QB's in Green Bay Packer history.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

[pbmax]

If anyone reposts this with the clapping hands icon, or the wave smileys or Quotes it For Truth, I will reach through you computer screen and hit the ignore button on your forehead. Fair warning

[/quote]

Just wait until I see you logged in Joe, POW, right in the kisser!

[pbmax]

How about this:

I respect the accuracy or honesty of the facts as you assess them pbmax. Somehow it really gets to just there. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

I hope I've made it perfectly clear that once the shock was over I for one was relieved that Favre moved away from us. It seems he's still moving. I wish him the best and yes pbmax it won't be easy. What bugs me is those that choose to carve him up like cold turkey rather than just wish him well. He along with Bart Starr are the greatest QB's in Green Bay Packer history.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Fair enough Woodbuck. I have always thought that too many people of a certain age made too big a deal out of the end of Willie Mays career (that he was nothing more than a stumbling shell of his former self) or Joe Willie playing for the Rams, or Johnny Unitas playing for the Chargers.

I came along well after each of these players and my respect for them is not diminished in any way by the end of their careers like so many people loved to predict at the time (or remember now).

My respect for Favre only took a slight dip in the Van Susteren interview, but is still very high. Nothing will diminish the memories. I just hope we eventually move through this phase faster than we are currently.

[Fritz]

[quote="mission"]

I couldn't get past page 4 or 5 of the thread without continuing to ask myself the same question:

Is it TT's job to win football games?

Its his job. He is the Executive V.P., General Manager & Director of Football Operations and he has total authority over football matters. If the coach is failing, then its on his watch and under his authority. If the team doesn't win, eventually he will be shown the door.

That's like saying it's the Trip Planner's job to make sure you have a fun time on vacation.

Ultimately, that's part of their bottom line but the planner's job is to make all the arrangements, make sure you have the great hotel on the beach, make sure everything is lined up ... if your woman is on her rag all week, ya get the shits from the water and you get arrested for buying blow from a guy on the beach then that's really your fault.

If this happens over and over then maybe the trip planner is at fault and they aren't very good at their job ... then again, maybe it's just your old lady and diarrhea.[/quote]

So if the Packers don't win this year, it's because Mike McCarthy's wife is being a bee-atch and McCarthy is suffering from a season-long case of diarrhea.

Ah. That explains it all. I'm sending MM some immodium and his wife flowers - from MM - every week.

[retailguy]

TT's doing fine; nobody, I don't think, is throwing him under the bus

Well said Bretsky, and I agree. With the exception of just a couple of people around here, I don't think ANYONE is throwing him under the bus.

That being said, I think there is a very vocal minority who see that he "doesn't walk on water". It seems from my perspective, that if you don't absolutely "love the guy", you're termed a "hater".

I, admittedly don't like the guy. I see a lot of other responsibilities, other than drafting players, that he doesn't do very well. He's not much of a leader, nor is he much of a communicator. Does this make him a "bad GM"?

Not necessarily, he'll be judged by when he wins games. This year we'll find out if 2007 was a building block or an aberration.

If he wins, I'll overlook his warts as will most others. If he doesn't, those warts deserve further scrutiny. And for those who claim, McCarthy is the one charged with winning, I agree. However, Thompson hired the coach. And if you recall, he passed over a lot of well qualified experienced people to pick "his guy". That's part of the GM job, and puts him right in the boat with McCarthy. Trying to push that off of him and onto McCarthy? Pure excuse mode.

[mraynrand]

I, admittedly don't like the guy. I see a lot of other responsibilities, other than drafting players, that he doesn't do very well. He's not much of a leader, nor is he much of a communicator. Does this make him a "bad GM"?

What do you base this on?

[mraynrand]

If anyone reposts this with the clapping hands icon, or the wave smileys or Quotes it For Truth, I will reach through you computer screen and hit the ignore button on your forehead. Fair warning

Just wait until I see you logged in Joe, POW, right in the kisser! [/quote]

QFT

[retailguy]

I, admittedly don't like the guy. I see a lot of other responsibilities, other than drafting players, that he doesn't do very well. He's not much of a leader, nor is he much of a communicator. Does this make him a "bad GM"?

What do you base this on?

Various articles that I've read over the last 5 years, various statements that I've heard him make, and others make about him during the same time period.

I'm sure if I thought about it long enough, I could come up with specific examples, but I remember many cases of bewilderment about things I either heard him say, or things that were attributed to him.

[packers04]

bottom line is favre kept the team hostage for the last few years... it had to end. the organization can't be hamstrung by an ex girlfriend that just wont turn the page.... no matter how good the love making was.

nice analogy i know haha

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I, admittedly don't like the guy. I see a lot of other responsibilities, other than drafting players, that he doesn't do very well. He's not much of a leader, nor is he much of a communicator. Does this make him a "bad GM"?

What do you base this on?

TT voted for Obama.